Her stint in Japan wouldn't just expand her personal horizons. During her postdoc at the university in Kyoto, her field of research grew, and its scope continued to expand. "One question was always on my mind: How will I put my research into practice? Who will translate my findings into products that will actually shape the future of medicine?" She always came to the same conclusion: that is, to marry science and industry. "Our capacity for innovation is amazing, isn't it?" she asks, positively beaming. She had found her missing puzzle piece.
Now, Sophia wants to focus on blending fundamental research with market expertise. "I want to do my bit to help bring scientific achievements to society," she says. After all, combining two components is Sophia's specialty.