Janice Yeo: The R&D expert transforming science into solutions

A cosmetic and biopharmaceutical R&D expert, Janice Yeo has a breadth of experience working in both academia and industry throughout Southeast Asia. Read on for her insights into the two approaches to research, and her advice for the next generation of scientists.

Starting out

“I’ve always loved biology, so pursuing a biomedical science degree at the University of Melbourne was a natural thing for me to do,” Janice shares.

Originally from Malaysia, Janice completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science before undertaking a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center.

“Meeting and working with the scientists at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center definitely contributed to the pursuit of my PhD,” Janice shares. “I learnt how to do experiments in the lab. It was wonderful to see scientists who knew what they were doing and, executing their experimental plans. That gave me the vision to become someone like that.

“But at the same time, I wanted to gain some work experience, so I took some years to work first, before I jumped into PhD study.”

After graduating, Janice made another international move, working as a research assistant at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

It was here that Janice met Professor Veronique Angeli, who would become her mentor, and eventually supervise her PhD.

“Professor Veronique Angeli played a tremendous role in inspiring me to pursue a scientific career, both in academia and in industry,” Janice shares. “I think the remarkable part about her is that she allowed mistakes. You pick up from where you fall, and then you move on.

“She would challenge and stretch, yet she created a very conducive research and learning environment for everyone in the lab.”

From academic to industry: A learning curve

After completing a PhD in lymphatic biology and technology, and spending two years as a postdoc at NUS, Janice made another big career shift.

With a desire to experience the industry side of her field, Janice took on an R&I role with L’Oréal, China.

Adapting to a new language, culture, and the work itself, Janice describes the rewarding and challenging learning curve that she undertook.

“Coming from more than 10 years in academia, everything was fascinating to me when I first joined L'Oréal. The experience was nothing short of amazing. Everything was new and exciting,” Janice shares.

“What was particularly intriguing was the fact that I had daily insight and interaction with L'Oréal China’s entire product development and business pipeline. My job allowed me to work with different functional teams.

“As everything was new for me, I was absorbing so much from different stakeholders and different functional teams. There was never a dull day for me. I could be having a discussion with formulation scientists one day, and I would receive a briefing from the marketing team the next day. I also got to work with the safety and regulatory department.”

What struck Janice about the experience of working with L'Oréal was the focus on collaboration.

“I had the opportunity to work with the L'Oréal China Open Innovation and Business Development team, to identify and engage potential institutes and companies to partner with L'Oréal,” Janice shares.

I am a strong believer in finding the right partners to marry academic concepts and research with commercialisation capabilities, for the purposes of bringing a product to market.

“My experience in L'Oréal China R&I was priceless. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in life.”

Transforming science into solutions

Having experienced both approaches to research, Janice is passionate about the role that industry R&D can play in conjunction with academic research, and how commercialising research can lead to accessible solutions for consumers.

“I’m intrigued with the business aspect of R&D, and how we can transform scientific concepts or findings into products that eventually contribute to meeting certain market or consumer needs,” Janice shares. “I think that’s incredible. It’s very fulfilling.”

The primary difference that Janice observed when moving from NUS to L'Oréal was the approach to research.

“In academia, I had intellectual freedom. I got to choose which project I wanted to work and spend more time on. But in industry, most work is done on a quick timeline, and is driven by our product and business goals,” Janice shares.

“I remember my first day at work at L'Oréal, my line manager went through KPIs with me. We developed projects that were aligned with company strategy, to support the company’s business plan.

We worked together with teams from different departments on tight project timelines. It was critical to be an excellent communicator and have good people skills to manage projects.

For Janice, another attractive aspect of shifting to industry was the potential for career progression.

“Industry career opportunities range from research at the bench, to working in product marketing and development,” Janice explains. “You have a lot more opportunities to climb the organisational ladder, to manage projects and wider teams.”

Meeting unmet needs

Recently, Janice returned to Singapore to take on another industry R&D role, this time with global biopharmaceutical company, the CLINUVEL group, which focuses on developing and commercializing treatments for patients with rare disorders, as well as healthcare solutions for the general population.

The company’s lead compound, Afamelanotide, in the form of a subcutaneous implant-SCENESSE®, was approved by the European Medicines Agency, the US FDA, and recently by the TGA for the prevention of phototoxicity in adult patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Children and adults living with EPP are intolerant to visible light and must avoid sunlight and even reflected light for life. Conventional sunscreens have little to no effect as they do not block the wavelengths of light which cause phototoxicity in EPP.

Janice is currently on a team developing and adding products to CLINUVEL's product portfolio. Janice shares, “It is a fantastic time to be part of CLINUVEL’s growth with the expansion and development in the company’s objectives, developing new products for patients and other audiences.” The VALLAURIX Research, Development and Innovation hub (a full subsidiary of the CLINUVEL group) in Singapore is expanding in capabilities.

Janice adds, “I have always been very passionate about biomedical research and finding a cure for often neglected diseases or disorders. Being part of the pipeline in filling that gap is meaningful and motivating for me.”

Janice describes the new role as another exciting learning curve.

“It’s a different challenge altogether. As the company is smaller, there are many more opportunities to pave the way in unchartered areas and contribute,” Janice explains, comparing the new role to working at L'Oréal. “If I’m not familiar with the area, detailed research is required of me. It’s different from L'Oréal, where you have expertise in different departments, so you just approach them with the question that you have.

I guess I’m up for challenges and continue to stretch myself in different areas.

“I love that I am in the area where I can be part of the solution to change people’s lives.”

Giving back

Just as Janice is driven by the desire to be part of positive solutions for patients with unmet clinical needs, she is also passionate about supporting the next generation of scientists.

“In the course of my academic career, I have mentored five honours students,” Janice shares. “We are still in touch up to today. Some of them have moved on to completely different fields, some have moved on to industry. Whenever we catch up, we learn from each other professionally and support each other personally.

“In L'Oréal, I also mentored a summer intern and at the end of his internship he was offered a position in the company. I am really glad that he enjoyed and benefited from the mentorship, and eventually become part of L'Oréal family.”

For new graduates considering taking on a PhD, Janice advises:

“Go for it. Or if you want to get some more experience like me first, go for it. It’s all contributing to your life experience, and those are things that can’t be bought by money.

“Along the way, you learn that you make mistakes, and you just come back and pick yourself up. Before you realise, you have a beautiful thesis coming on. That experience, that process, is invaluable.

“Not only do you learn how to do experiments, but it also makes you a better person in terms of your tenacity, persistence and creativity.”

Janice leaves us with a message relevant to anyone looking to make an impact in STEM:

Be relentless in pursuing your dream. Don’t give up. And always believe that within everyone there is a giant waiting to be unleashed.

Mentoring and Industry