Episode 07 - Breaking New Ground: From Medicine to Innovation with Loleta Robinson

EIR Live

Episode Description

In this episode of Entrepreneur in Residence, co-hosts Ilya Tabakh and Terrance Orr welcome Dr. Loleta Robinson, a four-time Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) with a background in medicine and business. Dr. Robinson shares her transformative career journey from clinical medicine to entrepreneurship and EIR roles across corporate, government, and startup ecosystems. She reflects on pivotal leaps of faith, the importance of community, lessons from international work in Africa, and her experience in startup co-founding and advisory roles.

The conversation explores how Dr. Robinson's diagnostic mindset fuels her ability to navigate complex EIR roles, the significance of network-based opportunities, and balancing professional pursuits with her passion for fly fishing. Aspiring EIRs and entrepreneurial professionals will gain valuable insights into resilience, adaptability, and pursuing diverse EIR pathways.

Key Points from This Episode:
[00:00:00] Introduction of Dr. Loleta Robinson: Terrance highlights Dr. Robinson’s background as a serial EIR and her transition from medicine to entrepreneurship.
[00:04:25] First leap of faith: Dr. Robinson recounts her early transition into a medical diagnostics startup without prior business experience.
[00:07:02] Balancing science and business: She explains pursuing an MBA to blend her interest in science and business, joining the first MBA cohort at the University of Colorado Denver.
[00:12:45] Pivoting to MedImmune: Transitioning to biotech with MedImmune, working on the intranasal flu vaccine while learning large-scale commercialization.
[00:16:55] Founding a diagnostics company: Co-founding a melanoma diagnostics startup and the challenges of funding, regulatory hurdles, and tech transfer.
[00:20:30] First CMO role: Dr. Robinson describes her first Chief Medical Officer position, balancing scientific rigor with startup needs.
[00:23:50] Joining Blue Cross Blue Shield as an EIR: Introduction to venture capital, sourcing startups, and conducting due diligence.
[00:28:18] Transition to advisory EIR roles: Contrasting the hands-on role at Blue Cross with advisory roles at NIH and hospital systems.
[00:32:02] Importance of community: How organizations like Women in Bio shaped her entrepreneurial journey.
[00:36:45] Networking as a pathway: Securing EIR roles through referrals and relationships with mentors and industry contacts.
[00:41:11] Perseverance in the face of bias: Dr. Robinson reflects on her experience navigating rooms where she was often the only Black woman.
[00:45:33] Resilience in setbacks: Discussing failures and the importance of continuing to move forward despite obstacles.
[00:49:05] Passion for fly fishing: How fly fishing became a hobby that parallels her approach to life and career—embracing challenges and growth.
[00:52:42] Building diverse communities: Supporting initiatives that foster inclusive outdoor spaces and networks for women and underrepresented groups.
[00:56:00] Final reflections: Dr. Robinson shares advice on adapting, staying curious, and taking strategic leaps of faith in life and career.

Episode Links:

• Loleta Robinson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loletarobinson/
• Women in Bio: https://womeninbio.org/
• United Women on the Fly (fly fishing organization): https://uwotf.com/
• University of Colorado at Anschutz Joint Degree Programs: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/education/md-admissions/about-cu-school-of-medicine/joint-degree-programs

Connect with EIR Live:

• Terrance Orr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terranceorr/
• Ilya Tabakh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyatabakh/
• Website: https://eir.live (sign up for early access)
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eirlive
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@EIRLive
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EIRLive_show
• Suggest Guest
  
  

• (00:00) - Guest Introduction
• (04:25) - First Leap
• (07:02) - Pursuing MBA
• (12:45) - Biotech Pivot
• (16:55) - Co-Founding Startup
• (20:30) - First CMO Role
• (23:50) - First EIR Role
• (28:18) - Advisory Roles
• (32:02) - Community Support
• (36:45) - Networking Wins
• (41:11) - Navigating Bias
• (45:33) - Resilience Lessons
• (49:05) - Fly Fishing
• (52:42) - Inclusive Spaces
• (56:00) - Final Advice