"AI is powerful, but in life sciences, it's an augmentation, not a shortcut." This episode of Life Sciences – In Focus features Simon Hodgkins, Chief Marketing Officer at Vistatec AI, as we explore one of the industry's most debated topics: artificial intelligence.

Host Karen Tkaczyk takes on both interviewer and contributor roles. This creates a dynamic conversation, rich with insights, that explores the promise of AI and its practical realities in regulated environments.

00:00 – Welcome and Role Reversal Introduction

01:25 – Simon’s Perspective on AI in Life Sciences

03:10 – Industry Challenges and Regulatory Complexity

05:04 – AI vs Reality in Regulated Environments

06:10 – Translation, Compliance, and Cultural Nuance

08:55 – Human-in-the-Loop: Why It Matters

10:15 – Data Privacy, Security, and AI Costs

13:36 – Regulations, EU AI Act, and Risk Classification

23:57 – Multilingual Communication and Meaningful Engagement

About Life Sciences - In Focus

Life Sciences - In Focus Podcast by Vistatec, a fascinating conversation with global life sciences experts. The show has multiple hosts and topics. Follow Life Sciences - In Focus on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on YouTube and Apple podcasts. Life Sciences - In Focus is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about the podcast, please visit https://vistatec.com/life-sciences-division.

About Vistatec

We have been helping some of the world’s most iconic brands to optimize their global commercial potential since 1997. Vistatec is one of the world’s leading global content solutions providers. HQ in Dublin, Ireland, with offices in Mountain View, California, USA. To learn more about Vistatec, please visit https://www.vistatec.com

Social Media:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/vistatec-life-sciences

Host Karen Tkaczyk sits down with Sara Brueck Nichols, President of McCreadie Group, for a Life Sciences - In Focus Podcast episode that moves seamlessly between personal experience, industry insight, and practical innovation.

About Life Sciences - In Focus
Life Sciences - In Focus Podcast by Vistatec, a fascinating conversation with global life sciences experts. The show has multiple hosts and topics. Follow Life Sciences - In Focus on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on YouTube and Apple podcasts. Life Sciences - In Focus is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about the podcast, please visit https://vistatec.com/life-sciences-division.

In the latest episode of the Life Sciences - In Focus Podcast, Karen Tcazyk speaks with Daniela Blanco, whose journey spans continents, disciplines, and industries, from chemical engineering in Venezuela to building AI-powered tools that are reshaping how scientists run experiments.

What makes Daniela’s story especially compelling is not just what she’s building, but why.

00:00 - Welcome and Guest Introduction

00:54 - Daniela’s origin story, from Venezuela to chemical engineering and sustainability

03:16 - Founding Synthetics: from NYU competition to startup launch

03:43 - Why Synthetics pivoted from solar chemistry to AI-driven experimentation

05:47 - The state of AI adoption in chemistry and life sciences

06:28 - Making AI work with small datasets and winning early industry trust

10:21 - Funding lessons for technical founders and the power of non-dilutive capital

14:50 - What’s next for Synthetics, hiring, conferences, and how to connect

About Life Sciences - In Focus

Life Sciences - In Focus Podcast by Visatatec, a fascinating conversation with global life sciences experts. The show has multiple hosts and topics. Follow Life Sciences - In Focus on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on YouTube and Apple podcasts. Life Sciences - In Focus is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about the podcast, please visit https://vistatec.com/life-sciences-division.

About Vistatec

We have been helping some of the world’s most iconic brands to optimize their global commercial potential since 1997. Vistatec is one of the world’s leading global content solutions providers. HQ in Dublin, Ireland, with offices in Mountain View, California, USA. To learn more about Vistatec, please visit https://www.vistatec.com

Social Media:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/vistatec-life-sciences