September 2, 2026

Following the science into industry

For many postdoctoral researchers, the end of a fellowship brings a familiar question: academia or industry? Mario Iurlaro approached the decision differently. He wanted to continue doing research, and staying in Basel was an important consideration. Today, at Novartis Biomedical Research, he leads a research laboratory and oncology drug discovery projects — an example of how scientific curiosity can thrive in an industrial setting.

As Mario Iurlaro’s postdoctoral fellowship at the FMI was drawing to a close, he began thinking about his next career step. One thing was clear: “I knew 100% that I wanted to continue doing research,” he says. He was also keen to stay in Basel, rather than relocating yet again. So, he explored opportunities through job advertisements and his professional network. Novartis Biomedical Research, an affiliate of the FMI that Iurlaro respected, was high on his list. He eventually secured a lab head position there. “It was a pretty good fit — and there was certainly also some luck involved,” he says.

Three and a half years after joining Novartis, Iurlaro has just been promoted to Senior Principal Scientist. He leads a small laboratory comprising two associates and a postdoctoral researcher, using molecular biology and functional genomics to study potential therapeutic targets in different cancer types. In parallel, he co-leads two oncology drug discovery projects involving scientists from across the company. “My role requires me to have a very broad scientific perspective,” he says.

From academia to industry

The move from academia came with a steep learning curve. People management, drug discovery, and the workings of a large pharmaceutical company were all new to Iurlaro. Formal training offered at Novartis helped, but much of what he learned came from working with more experienced colleagues.

While his research is now aimed at developing future therapies, Iurlaro feels that it has retained much of its scientific core. At Novartis he is still doing exploratory research and is encouraged to broaden his scientific perspective by exploring new methods and technologies. “The structure and objectives are different, as curiosity-driven questions are connected to a therapeutic goal,” he says. “But the mindset and approach remain the same.” 

Iurlaro’s scientific mindset was shaped during his PhD and postdoctoral training. “At the FMI, I learnt to be a better scientist,” he says. What he remembers most from his time as a postdoc is the camaraderie and the many scientific discussions — not only with his research group, but also with researchers across the FMI, including those working in the technology platforms. He also valued the freedom to follow his scientific curiosity. “It can be exhilarating when you don’t know exactly where the research will lead and simply follow your intuition.”

Today, Iurlaro still meets regularly with his former FMI colleagues “to exchange scientific ideas and to keep my brain working in a certain way,” as he puts it. For him, this continued exchange is one of the benefits of the close relationship between the FMI and Novartis.

Connecting the dots

For Iurlaro, one of the most rewarding aspects of his current role is its collaborative nature. No single discipline can carry a drug discovery project from an initial idea towards a potential treatment. Bringing a drug candidate forward requires experts from many disciplines working together — biologists, chemists, structural biologists, pharmacologists and more. As a project leader, Iurlaro needs to be able to understand and connect the different perspectives. 

The therapeutic focus also gives the work a strong sense of purpose. “If something works, then you have a tangible effect on people’s lives.”

For postdoctoral researchers considering their next step, Iurlaro suggests looking beyond the traditional distinction between academia and industry. He believes there is a broad spectrum of roles for scientists in pharma — some are fully research-driven, while many others draw on scientific training without being research roles in the strict sense. Speaking to people in different roles, he says, is one of the best ways to understand what the work involves.

Iurlaro is happy with the path he has taken and hopes to contribute more as he continues to grow withing the company,  “not only through the expertise of my lab, but also by influencing decisions at a higher level.”

Mario Iurlaro and the FMI Schübeler lab in 2021.