MICHELLE VENDEL

Michelle was born and raised in Scotland and obtained her BSc and MSc from the University of Glasgow in Medical Biochemistry. After graduating she began her career at Celltech in London before moving to San Francisco, CA to work at Genentech. These early opportunities set the foundation for her success as a scientist in biotechnology and drug discovery.

Fourteen years ago, Michelle moved to San Diego to continue her scientific and career development working at esteemed biopharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Biogen, Pfizer, and Celgene. Her most recent role at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has provided her with opportunities to grow from a bench scientist to a project leader focused on developing novel therapeutics for oncology. Her 21+ years of experience have given her the skills to develop scientific teams with the goal of delivering highly efficacious therapies for patients suffering from intractable diseases.

During her career, Michelle has been heavily involved in the advocacy, equity, and advancement of women in STEM. In her current role at BMS, she established a Women in Leadership chapter in San Diego to spotlight these initiatives and provide career advice and opportunities for her colleagues.