SBME Interfaces with Ali Tehrani | Ep. 12

Welcome to Episode 12 of SBME Interfaces

In this episode, we interface with Dr. Ali Tehrani, Co-founder, President and CEO of Zymeworks Inc. on launching Zymeworks, the profound moment that inspired him to science, communicating on its behalf, self-reflection, the BC Biomedical ecosystem, leadership, and more.

All episodes available to watch on our YouTube Channel

Guest:

Dr. Ali Tehrani
Co-founder, President and CEO of Zymeworks Inc.

Dr. Tehrani is a co-founder of Zymeworks and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer, and as a member of the Board of Directors, since the company’s inception in September 2003. He has been an integral part of many of Zymeworks's corporate achievements, including raising seed and angel financing and overseeing technical operations and patent filings. Dr. Tehrani holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees in biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts, and has a doctoral degree in microbiology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia.

While completing his PhD, he co-founded the Student Biotechnology Network, for which he received the UBC Faculty of Science Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership in 2002. Dr. Tehrani has served as a board director for the Student Biotechnology Network and LifeSciences British Columbia, on the MITACS Industrial Advisory Board, and on BIOTECanada’s Industrial and Environmental Committee. He was a council member on the Premier of British Columbia’s Technology Council from 2016 to 2018. Currently, he is a member of the board of directors of Creatus Biosciences Inc.

Hear more from Dr. Tehrani on the BC MedTech sector.


Hosts:
Dr. Payam Zahedi
Strategic Planning & Operations Director, UBC School of Biomedical Engineering

Payam is a born problem solver and dot connector who believes that real impact only occurs when everyone is given the means to chase it. He's the Director of Strategic Planning and Operations at UBC's School of Biomedical Engineering and holds a BASc in Biomedical Engineering and an MSc and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, from the University of Toronto. He believes we are better together and is an advocate for equity and inclusivity. In his spare time, when he's not chasing his two sons around, he's experimenting in the kitchen, reading crime fiction and untangling the mechanisms of effective leadership.

Miguel Eichelberger
Communications & Engagement Manager, UBC School of Biomedical Engineering

Miguel is an unflinching optimist. He is a communicator and writer whose work has appeared in literary magazines and on stages around the world. His most recent publications include Harpur Palate, the Literary Review of Canada, Plainsongs Magazine, and Soliloquies Anthology. He believes in authenticity; in doing and saying what you actually believe, and he is an obsessive student of leadership from the biological and anthropological perspectives. You've likely heard him rant about it, and he's not sorry.

Chapters

• 0:00 SBME Interfaces with Dr. Ali Tehrani
• 1:05 On the pandemic's impact in the workplace
• 3:37 On Zymeworks Inc. what they do, and why they do what they do
• 6:42 On the moment Dr. Tehrani fell in love with science
• 8:59 On choosing the entrepreneurial route and communicating on behalf of science
• 13:20 On the growing role of technology in the design and development of new drugs and increasing medical accuracy through technology
• 16:38 On the School of Biomedical Engineering and its impact both locally and broadly
• 18:22 On brain drain and retaining talent in the BC BME ecosystem
• 21:57 On leadership, learning, keeping an open mind and EDI
• 25:41 On the hallmarks of a good leader
• 27:50 On tennis and indulging in bad movies to unwind
• 28:38 On advice to your 20 year old self
• 29:25 On micro-financing, philanthropy and how little it actually takes to make a difference in this world