What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Effective leadership in science begins with listening and creating clarity in complex environments. Leading cross functional teams in fast paced environments has shown me that trust and transparency matter most when things are uncertain or changing. When priorities shift, taking the time to explain the “why” behind decisions makes a real difference. Doing so helps people stay grounded and engaged rather than reactive. I’ve also learned how important it is to translate big, abstract scientific goals into something concrete. Clear, tangible goals give teams a shared sense of direction, even when the destination continues to evolve.

What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?

Seeing my PhD thesis published as a first author paper in Nature was a truly defining moment for me. It represented years of persistence, failure, growth, and an enormous amount of emotional investment. While the publication itself was meaningful, what mattered most was what it represented, a shared commitment to rigorous science and the many people who supported and believed in the work along the way. It was incredibly rewarding to contribute something tangible to the field of molecular medicine and to share that work with the broader scientific community.

What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why? What obstacles will you overcome?

My biggest goal is to be part of a drug development program that brings a treatment all the way to market and delivers real impact for patients. Translating science into medicine that improves people’s lives is what motivates me every day. I know that path is rarely straightforward and often involves uncertainty, complex decision making, and navigating scientific and regulatory challenges. Working through those moments takes persistence, collaboration, and adaptability, and those are skills I continue to build as I grow in my career.

Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.

One of the most impactful opportunities I had was receiving my first research grant as an undergraduate at Stanford University. At the time, I didn’t yet have a clear picture of what a career in research could look like, and this funding gave me my first real chance to find out. It allowed me to stay on campus over the summer between my sophomore and junior years and fully immerse myself in research. For the first time, I experienced true independence by asking questions no one knew the answers to, designing experiments, and presenting my work at a poster session. Looking back, that summer completely changed the course of my life. It gave me a firsthand view of what it meant to be a researcher, and I was hooked.

How was AWIS helped you professionally and/or personally?

AWIS has reinforced how powerful community can be, especially in STEM. Being part of a network of women who share experiences, challenges, and encouragement has been incredibly grounding. It’s comforting and motivating to know you’re not navigating your career alone.

What is your favorite word? (only one word)

Relentless.

How do you define it?

Relentless to me means showing up when things are hard, finding creative ways forward, and not giving up when progress feels slow or uncertain.

How has this word influenced or inspired your career?

Being relentless has been central to my research career. Science rarely moves in a straight line, and meaningful progress often requires sustained effort over time. Staying relentless has helped me push through challenges, stay focused when answers aren’t immediate, and continue making progress toward long term goals. It’s about persistence, adaptability, and continuing to show up with intention.

How does AWIS impact your career journey?

AWIS has impacted my career by giving me access to a broader community and shared experiences through resources like The Nucleus. Having a central place to read articles, watch webinars, and learn from other women in science has helped me feel less isolated and more supported in my career journey. It’s been especially valuable as a space to reflect, learn, and stay connected to conversations happening across the biotech and biopharma industry.

What are you currently reading or listening to?

I spend a lot of time commuting in my car, so podcasts have become part of my daily routine. Lately, I’ve been listening to Good Hang with Amy Poehler. It’s a fun mix of humor, honesty, and thoughtful conversation that makes the drive feel lighter.

What do you consider the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Growth rarely happens in familiar or easy spaces, and learning to sit with uncertainty has helped me stretch, learn, build confidence, and achieve things I never thought I could. Some of the most meaningful growth in my career has come from leaning into that discomfort and trusting the learning process.

Serena Tamura, PhD, is a Senior Scientist I at BioMarin, where she leads bioanalytical strategy in support of drug development programs for rare genetic diseases. Her work focuses on developing assays to evaluate safety and efficacy across preclinical and clinical programs, generating high‑quality data that informs clinical decision‑making and regulatory submissions. Dr. Tamura earned her PhD from the University of California San Francisco in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics program, where her doctoral research focused on developing CRISPR activation as a gene therapy approach for disorders caused by haploinsufficiency. She received her BA in Human Biology from Stanford University with a concentration in Neurobiology and Behavior, where she conducted research in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Tamura is passionate about translating strong science into therapies that make a real difference for patients.