Alumni Spotlight - August 2022

How long were you a member of miLEAD? What positions did you hold?

I was with miLEAD for around 3 years. Starting as a Consultant, moving on to Project Manager, and then serving as the Director of Administration.

What was the most interesting project you were involved with while part of miLEAD?

I jumped at the opportunity to take any project with with local start-ups. The exposure to the breadth of the Investigational New Drug (IND) process and the opportunity to look at commercialization opportunities for new therapeutics really brought together the scientific and business perspectives.

How did miLEAD help you obtain your current position?

miLEAD was instrumental in my moving into my current position. I first learned about the position through the miLEAD network and the skillset that I use every day, and that made me a good fit for the position, was honed through my time working with clients on miLEAD engagements.

What is your day-to-day life like in your current position?

Most of my day to day revolves around client management responsibilities. I spend a lot of time presenting business perspectives while in a room full of research scientists and then later representing the needs of the scientists to business stakeholders. On a given project I'm expected to speak comfortably with all sides, synthesize diverse perspectives, and develop and execute decisive operational endpoints.

What did you learn through miLEAD that you apply to your current position?

Learning how to use my training as a researcher and apply that skillset away from my specific field of expertise. I spend all day speaking with scientists who are doing 1001 different assays and working in ever-changing fields. My work with miLEAD taught me how to pick out crucial information and leverage my research skills to get to viable solutions, regardless of the topic at hand.

What advice would you give to current or prospective miLEAD consultants?

It's difficult to overstate just how valuable the skills you have as scientists and researchers are in the business and industry sectors. Right in joining miLEAD you've found a group of people who share your passions for those fields and as such you are primed for success. Make sure to keep in touch with your fellow consultants, it's a small world and you'll likely run into more than a few of them down the line.