Manuela Zonca, NeoVac
What happens when a scientist trained in immunology finds herself leading biology at a cutting-edge mRNA Biotech? In this episode of Careers in Discovery, we sit down with Manuela Zonca, VP of Biology at NeoVac, to find out. Manuela shares her fascinating career journey across Europe - from academia in Spain and France to Biotech leadership in the UK - and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She talks about the importance of following your gut, learning through mistakes, and why adaptability, teamwork, and mentorship are central to scientific success. We explore Manuela’s role at NeoVac, a clinical-stage company pioneering mRNA delivery for vaccines, autoimmune disease, and more, and how she’s helping expand the platform into new therapeutic areas. Whether you're thinking about transitioning from academia to industry, building a leadership career in science, or just curious about where mRNA is headed next, this episode is full of insight and inspiration.