Consultant Spotlight - February 2023

How long have you been with miLEAD? 

I joined miLEAD in October of 2021, so a little over a year.

What is the focus of your research?

I study Head and Neck cancer using a multiomics approach. Specifically, I am interested in the interaction between HPV associated Head and Neck cancer and the immune system.

What are your career goals? 

I think my time in miLEAD has really strengthened my interest in solving biological problems through an industry perspective. Whether I do that in a consulting role or a biotech scientist role is still to be determined, but I've come to appreciate the speed, focus, and agility that companies have in the biomedical space.

What roles have you played on projects? 

Thus far, I have worked as a consultant on multiple projects conducting both primary and secondary research for a company that develops diagnostic testing. More recently, I've started working as a project manager on a primary research project. This has given me the opportunity to set the direction, pace, and scope for a project to identify market gaps in the gastrointestinal treatment space.

What led you to seek out milead?

I knew from the start of my PhD that I wasn't interested in staying in academia after graduation, so I was eager to seek out opportunities to learn more about how to apply my skills as a researcher outside of the academic space. miLEAD has provided invaluable experience both within project and professional development events offered by miLEAD.

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

During my time in miLEAD, I have developed several valuable skills. One skill that stands out is my ability to collaborate effectively with a team. I have honed my communication skills to ensure that all team members are on the same page and can work together to achieve our goals. Additionally, I have developed my analytical skills by conducting research, analyzing data, and presenting findings to stakeholders. Furthermore, I have improved my problem-solving skills by working on real-world health issues and finding creative solutions to complex problems. Overall, my experience in miLEAD has been a valuable learning opportunity, and I am confident that these skills will be big assets in my future endeavors.

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

Working on meaningful projects in the miLEAD community has been extremely rewarding. Not only do I get to make tangible progress in scientific research, but I also get to work with talented, driven, and like-minded individuals. Having manageable, achievable tasks with clear deliverables is extremely rewarding especially in contrast to the work of a PhD student which can be long and open ended.