Francisco Ivan Rodriguez Jaubert

The master's at the University of Edinburgh has become the bridge that I needed for pursuing a career as an entrepreneur. My current role is as the founder of a startup that is seeking to lower the entry barriers for doing synthetic biology in a professional manner.

Tell us about your time at the School of Biological Sciences

After a deep research on the master's degree offered by universities in the US, Europe, and the UK, I only applied to the MSc Synthetic Biology & Biotechnology. The programme has the right mix of courses, experiences, and length that I was looking for. Moreover, the prestigious reputation of the University was a key element that influenced my application.

Tell us about your Experiences since leaving the University

Two years before enrolling in the master's degree, I was working with a biotech spinoff. I remember that even with the grant for advancing technology, we struggled a lot to find the right equipment to perform key activities for the technological demonstration. Since then, I had in mind solving the challenge of access to lab space and equipment. The master's at the University of Edinburgh has become the bridge that I needed for pursuing a career as an entrepreneur. My current role is as the founder of a startup that is seeking to lower the entry barriers for doing synthetic biology in a professional manner. Until now, my professional achievements rely on the experiences that I took for building the foundations that I require to succeed as an entrepreneur. Including collaborate in the successful advance of an AgTech solution (TRL-4 to TRL-7), designing the business strategy for commercialization, working on the finance industry managing private equity, and building a strong network in the synthetic biology industry.

Alumni wisdom

Prepare with anticipation and squeeze the Uni! It has so many things to offer and the time is limited. Don't hesitate to take extracurricular activities. It can open your doors that you never imagine and you will never regret those experiences.

Information given in April 2020.