Joel Palathinkal engages with Mary Wheeler, exploring her career journey and the founding of BioRock Ventures. They discuss investing in serious diseases and the significance of in-person interactions in the business realm. Mary shares insights into the investment criteria and evaluation of drug efficacy in the biopharma sector. The conversation highlights identifying successful biopharma founders and startups, along with the impact of simulation and modeling on innovation. They delve into the relevance of a PhD in venture capital and offer traits and advice for biopharma founders and venture managers. The episode concludes with effective fundraising strategies and closing thoughts. (0:00) Introduction and investing in serious diseases (2:02) Mary Wheeler's career and BioRock Ventures origin story (8:42) The value of in-person interactions in business (12:07) Investment criteria and evaluating drug efficacy in biopharma (20:01) Identifying successful biopharma founders and startups (25:01) The impact of simulation and modeling on biopharma innovation (27:38) Navigating a PhD and its role in venture capital (34:51) Traits and advice for biopharma founders and venture capital managers (39:20) Fundraising strategies and closing thoughts