MY CAREER PATH: BEFORE GRAD SCHOOL
- Undergraduate degree in psychology with biology concentration: Boston College
- One year in Steven Heinrichs behavioral neuroscience lab: stressors and cocaine-seeking behavior
- Research Technician at McLean Hospital (Harvard Medical School)
- One year in primate behavioral pharmacology lab of Jack Bergman and Carol Paronis: examining receptor activation of various compounds by
behavioral output
- One year in primate behavioral pharmacology lab of Jack Bergman and Carol Paronis: examining receptor activation of various compounds by
MY CAREER PATH: GRADUATE SCHOOL AND POST-DOC
- PhD in Pharmacology from Tufts University, lab of Ron Hammer
- The Role of BDNF in Subordination Stress-induced Persistent Psychomotor Sensitization
- 6 years total (3 in Arizona)
- Post doc at NIDA, lab of Bruce Hope (3 years)
- FACS to study gene alterations in neurons activated during heroin craving
Role of heroin-cue-activated OFC - neuronal ensembles in incubation of heroin craving (Daun02)
- FACS to study gene alterations in neurons activated during heroin craving
MY CAREER PATH: FIRST NONACADEMIC JOB SEARCH
- Lots of reading on “alternative” career paths
- Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development by Toby Freedman
- 2012, job market not ideal – applied to 40+ jobs (10 – 12 tailored applications with
cover letters) - Supportive advisor is very helpful
- Internship at NIH Office of Tech Transfer (OTT) one day a week for 3 months during post-doc
- Learned how to write a non-academic resume!
- http://sdbn.org/2013/08/05/sdbn-august-26th-event-the-how-what-and-why-of-alternative-careers/
FIRST NON-BENCH JOB
- Emergent BioSolutions: medium sized biotech company in MD
- Biodefense Vaccines division working on late-stage clinical development of anthrax vaccine
- Project Analyst position in Project Management function
- Job posting requirements:
- Firm technical background in biological sciences and ability to understand complex projects at a high level
Exceptional oral and written communication skills and proficiency Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint - Previous project management experience is beneficial
- Experience in working with government grants/contracts and VM is highly desired
- MS (PhD in Biological sciences preferred)
- Firm technical background in biological sciences and ability to understand complex projects at a high level
TRANSITION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY
- Steep learning curve
- Drug/biologic development world and clinical trials
- Regulatory pathways: FDA involvement in clinical trials and drug approvals
- Managing budgets
- Managing and leading meetings
- Working on a cross-functional project team
- Regulatory
- Clinical
- Non-clinical
- Quality
- Pharmacovigilance (Safety)
- Project
- Management
- Legal