The ability to share your thinking smartly ignites opportunity, connection, and relationships.

I am proud and excited to announce The Chemistry of Compelling Communication, a series I created for UCLA that marries the Zone Method with smart science and smart science sharing.

The series will feature guest speakers enjoying careers in biology, chemistry, venture capital, and drug discovery. Because they have been Zoned, they will share their stories smartly and answer your questions about careers in science.

We launch on April 23^rd in the Dongwon Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall with Dr. Wendy Young who will share her ‘Adventures in Drug Hunting’.

Dr. Young is one of the ‘Top Twenty Women in Biopharma’ (Endpoint News 2019), and the recipient of the 2020 ACS National Earl Barnes Award. Dr. Young’s career in drug discovery includes serving as the first woman to lead Small Molecule Discovery at Genentech and playing a significant role in building their small molecule division from the ground up. She is an author of several articles including Where are all the Women and It Takes a Village.

Below is the story of how we got here.

Relationship Officially Began in 2019 with Dr. Cathy Clarke

My relationship with UCLA began in 2019. Dr. Mike Varney, a former UCLA undergraduate and EVP of R&D at Genentech, was invited to deliver the commencement address for UCLA’s Chemistry & Biochemistry Department. I served as Dr. Varney’s coach to help him prepare and attended as his guest.

That was the day I met Dr. Cathy Clarke, the first woman to chair the Chemistry & Biochemistry department in UCLA’s 100 year history. It also marked the beginning of a collaborative friendship that continues to evolve.

Dr. Clarke researched me online and decided to recruit me to share the tools of The Zone Method with UCLA students. When I entered the Chemistry building on graduation day, she was standing in front of her office, waiting to meet me. She wanted UCLA science students to benefit from the communication skills delivered via The Zone Method and was determined to make it happen.

Then Covid happened.. and we needed to pause… and wait for a time when we could meet in person rather than remotely.

In 2022, I was invited to address graduate students as part of the UCLA Summer Seminar Series to share tools and insight for sharing thinking smartly. I created the original Chemistry of Compelling Communication for that audience.

Access full information to the 2022 Seminar here.