Consultant Spotlight - May 2024

How long have you been with miLEAD? 

2 years

What is the focus of your research?

I study the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic efflux pumps to understand how we might therapeutically target drug-resistant bacteria.

What are your current career goals?

I am planning to transition to a scientist role in the biotech industry in the next year after wrapping up my postdoc. I'm interested in R&D and would like to keep doing bench science, preferably in protein biochemistry. I think miLEAD has given me great tools and an amazing network to be able to find my next position.

What roles have you played on projects? 

As a consultant in my first project, I conducted interviews with potential customers to assess interest in a device limiting viral transmission. In my second project, I helped outline important factors in creating a business-to-business interface for manufacturing. Most recently, as a project manager, I led my team in market sizing and competitive landscape analysis for a preclinical therapeutic.

What led you to seek out milead?

I knew I wanted to look for roles in industry after my postdoc, and was interested in any opportunities to interface with biotech companies, while working on teamwork, leadership, and science communication skills. I enjoy learning about new topics and applying myself in a different way as a consultant. miLEAD has also given me many great opportunities to meet alumni and other invited speakers with useful insights into different career paths.

Since joining miLEAD, what skills have you been able to develop?

Working on miLEAD projects as a consultant really challenged me to get out of my comfort zone. Conducting primary interviews, using market research databases, and designing and formatting slides to miLEAD's standard were all new to me. These projects also encouraged me to improve on my communication and presentation skills when preparing for client meetings. Additionally, working closely with a team on a cohesive deliverable in a short turnaround time required clear coordination from week to week, which is not something I experience in my research lab where I mostly work independently. As a project manager, I had to understand the client and deliverable more deeply to develop a vision for the project, as well as familiarize myself with the strengths and weaknesses of the consultants so I could most effectively support the team and keep everyone on track.

What has been one of your most rewarding experiences thus far working with miLEAD? 

One of the most rewarding feelings is in the midterm or final client meeting when the client has an aha moment and it's clear the client is really appreciative of what the consulting team was able to produce and their thinking has been changed in some way from that realization. For me, that's when you really feel the positive and long-lasting impact of your work as a consultant. Each project I've been a part of has been on a different topic, which has allowed me to rapidly learn about new and interesting areas, a skill that I'm confident will help me in my future industry career having to rapidly switch between projects and quickly get up to speed. I've been able to work with some really great teams who have helped me grow as a consultant and scientist. I'm consistently impressed with the caliber of miLEAD members and feel fortunate to be part of such an impressive group.