We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carmen Banks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carmen, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.
When I started college, I was an Animal Science major, fully expecting to go to vet school. Like many students, I assumed that a career in healthcare was the natural path for someone studying life sciences. To strengthen my resume for vet school applications, I volunteered in a poultry nutrition lab—only to realize within a month that I hated working with chickens and that veterinary medicine wasn’t the right fit for me. However, I lacked the guidance to explore alternative careers in science beyond healthcare. As a result, I felt lost and unsure of how to use my degree.
Fortunately, a friend who worked in research encouraged me to apply for a position in a plant diagnostics lab. Initially, I thought, “What does this have to do with my future? I definitely do not want to work with plants!” But that experience introduced me to the world of bench science, and I loved it. With the support of mentors, I eventually decided to pursue a Ph.D. and build a career as a scientist.
This experience made me realize a major flaw in the education system—students in life sciences are often funneled into healthcare careers simply because they aren’t exposed to other possibilities. Many schools and advisors emphasize traditional medical professions—doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists—while overlooking the vast array of career paths in research, industry, and science communication. Without structured opportunities to explore these fields, students struggle to make informed career decisions early on.
To better prepare students for fulfilling careers, the education system must integrate comprehensive career exploration programs. This means providing mentorship, industry connections, and hands-on experiences that expose students to diverse opportunities in science. If students were given these resources from the start, fewer would feel lost like I did.
That’s why I founded MelanInScience—to bridge this gap. MelanInScience empowers students and young professionals in science by providing mentorship, education, and professional development opportunities. By broadening career exposure and ensuring students have the support they need, we can create a more diverse, innovative, and fulfilled generation of STEM leaders.
Carmen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For those who may not know me, I’m a scientist working in biotech, but my passion extends far beyond the lab. My journey in science has been shaped not just by research, but by a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. During grad school, I became actively involved in DEI efforts and quickly realized that my true purpose lies at the intersection of science and representation. I saw firsthand how much it matters for underrepresented students to see people who look like them thriving in STEM—and how much work still needs to be done to create real change.
I founded MelanInScience to fill a critical gap in life sciences career support. While many organizations help students explore STEM broadly or guide them toward healthcare, few focus specifically on biotech, research, and industry careers—fields that are essential yet often overlooked in traditional STEM programs. Through mentorship, academic and professional development programs, and industry exposure, we equip students and young professionals with the knowledge, connections, and confidence to navigate their careers and land opportunities they may not have even known existed.
To date, we’ve served over 300 people worldwide, and I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made. What sets MelanInScience apart is that it’s built by someone who has lived this experience. As a scientist, I use my platform not only to contribute to biotech innovations but also to inspire and uplift the next generation. Science needs a workforce as diverse as the challenges we’re trying to solve, and I’m committed to making that a reality.
If you’re looking for guidance, mentorship, or a community that truly understands the challenges of being underrepresented in life sciences, MelanInScience is here for you. Whether you’re a student exploring career paths or a professional seeking support, we’re committed to help you thrive and build the career you deserve.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients has been refining my marketing strategy and fostering deeper collaborations with academic institutions. Rather than trying to be everywhere at once, I’ve focused on building meaningful, long-term relationships with organizations that align with our mission. These partnerships have proven invaluable—not only do they connect us with the right clients, but they also strengthen the foundation of what we’re building. By working with institutions and businesses that share our vision, we’ve created a sustainable, targeted pipeline of clients who genuinely benefit from our services.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that I had to do everything on my own to succeed. When I first started MelanInScience, I was balancing a full-time job while trying to build the business from the ground up. I convinced myself that asking for help meant I wasn’t capable—or that no one else would share my vision the way I did. I pushed through, handling everything myself, thinking that sheer hard work would be enough.
But over time, I realized that this mindset wasn’t just unsustainable—it was holding me back. It wasn’t until I started bringing people onto my team that I fully understood the power of collaboration. The moment I let go of the idea that I had to do it all alone, everything changed. My vision became clearer, our progress accelerated, and we were able to accomplish so much more together.
That lesson was a game-changer—not just for MelanInScience, but for my own personal growth. True success isn’t about doing it alone; it’s about building a strong, aligned team. There’s strength in asking for help, and I’ve learned that the best way to go far is to go together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melanin-science.com
- Instagram: melaninbiology
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenmbanks/
- Youtube: melaninscience