Flagship partner Louisa Helms credits high-school librarian for sparking biotech career

Louisa Helms, a BioSpace 40 Under 40 honoree and partner at Flagship Pioneering, reflects on a unique path into biotech.

In high school she was mentored by librarian Tammy Carabello, who turned the school library into a hands-on science hub, using tools like a flow cytometer and a 3D printer and taking students on real-lab field trips.

Helms says Carabello’s guidance sparked her curiosity and set her on a trajectory that led to a PhD and entrepreneurial training, preparing her for leadership roles in science.

Now at Flagship, Helms aims to influence strategic decisions in biotech, crediting her former librarian as the "guiding light" behind her ambition.