Farhana Islam, PhD
Farhana Islam, Ph.D., is a passionate scientist with deep expertise in synthetic chemistry and drug discovery across multiple therapeutic areas. During her most recent role, she has collaborated with cross-functional teams, including pharmacology, clinical, and regulatory groups to ensure alignment of key scientific messages across internal and external communications. Her work has supported business development initiatives, where she drafted and refined scientific proposals and bid documents, ensuring accuracy, strategic alignment, and audience engagement. She has also developed educational and training materials to support scientists’ professional growth.
Over her career, Farhana has contributed to 20+ drug discovery projects, from lead generation through clinical candidate nomination. She has designed and synthesized more than 250 molecules through multi-step organic synthesis and advanced two pre-clinical and two clinical candidates using medicinal chemistry strategies. At GSK, she optimized synthetic routes for off-DNA molecules within DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL) and applied structure-based and physicochemical property-driven design to propose novel target compounds.
During her Ph.D. research, Farhana leveraged computer modeling and AI to uncover new approaches in cancer therapeutics. Her contributions led to the design and synthesis of folate-guided PROTACs with CRBN E3 ligase for one-carbon (C1) metabolism inhibition, as well as the synthesis of diverse structural motifs targeting mitochondrial and cytosolic metabolism.
Beyond her bench science, Farhana specializes in translating complex pre-clinical and clinical data into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences, including peers, clients, investors, and regulatory stakeholders. She has authored and co-authored 10+ peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and conference posters, and has created investor presentations, training slide decks, and educational content that bridge science with strategy and communication.
• PHD
• Masters in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Bachelors in Pharmacy (BPharm)
• American Chemical Society
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to several key factors. First and foremost, my family has been a constant source of support, encouragement, and motivation. Their unwavering belief in me has been instrumental in overcoming challenges. Additionally, I’ve been fortunate to have had incredible mentors and supervisors throughout my career. Their guidance, wisdom, and constructive feedback have played a pivotal role in helping me grow professionally and personally. They have consistently pushed me to reach higher and strive for excellence, which has been vital to my achievements.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received: “Use your scientific expertise as a foundation, but not as a limitation.” While my Ph.D. anchors my credibility, I’ve found my greatest impact in bridging science with strategy, communication, and leadership roles that extend beyond the lab and create broader value.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry would be to always prioritize maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of the job, but it’s essential to keep up with your hobbies and passions outside of work. Engaging in activities you enjoy not only helps you recharge, but it also nurtures creativity, improves mental health, and keeps you grounded. Cultivating a well-rounded life outside of your career will make you more resilient and fulfilled, both personally and professionally. Never underestimate the power of having time for yourself.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is balancing the complexity of modern drug discovery with the need for speed and cost-effectiveness. But that also creates an exciting opportunity: by integrating AI-driven design, cross-functional collaboration, and clear scientific communication, we can accelerate discovery while ensuring strategic alignment with regulatory and clinical goals.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact are core to how I approach my work, while balance, growth, and resilience guide me in my personal life.
Locations
Albany, NY 12205