Her Story
About Kerstin
Kerstin Henson is a Principal Scientist with more than 20 years of experience in early-stage drug discovery and biotechnology research. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Master of Science in Drug Development and Product Management from the University of California San Diego. Throughout her career, she has focused on advancing therapeutic discoveries across small molecules, biologics, and high-throughput screening platforms, contributing to programs in immunology, oncology, and infectious diseases.
Henson has held scientific leadership roles at organizations including Protego Bio, Calibr at Scripps Research, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. Her expertise includes developing and optimizing cellular and biochemical assays, high-throughput screening, laboratory automation, hit validation, functional characterization, and translational research. She has contributed to multiple preclinical and clinical candidates, including significant work in infectious disease research such as malaria, where her discoveries helped advance next-generation therapies toward clinical development.
Beyond her technical expertise, Henson brings strong experience in cross-functional project leadership, guiding research programs from early discovery through IND-enabling studies while aligning scientific goals with operational strategies. She is recognized for her collaborative approach, scientific rigor, and ability to bridge biology, engineering, and data-driven approaches to accelerate therapeutic innovation. Her career reflects a commitment to advancing medicines that address unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes through impactful scientific research.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kerstin
01What do you attribute your success to?
My motivation comes from my upbringing in the Philippines where life was not as easy, and values instilled by my parents to always work harder and do the best you can. I also have an innate desire to grow and learn continuously, which is why I enjoy constantly learning every day in this field.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to reassess my career every five years by asking if I am still learning, challenged, and fulfilled. If not, I identify my next goal and start preparing for it early.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If this is something they really want to pursue, keep learning as much as you can. There are so many different areas in science beyond just the lab, like math or engineering tied to science. Find the area they are most interested in and go for that.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is funding and support for science and research, which is being cut or pulled away. Other countries are bolstering their programs while ours may fall behind, especially in infectious diseases like malaria and TB which is my first love.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are hard work and integrity. I believe in giving my best effort, staying committed to my goals, and always doing what is right with honesty and accountability.
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