Consultant Spotlight - January 2025

How long have you been with miLEAD? 

I have been involved with miLEAD for almost two years, as I was accepted into the organization in 2023.

What is the focus of your research?

My research is centered on developing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of aggressive forms of breast cancer.

What are your current career goals?

Upon completing my PhD, I plan to work in industry within the realm of life sciences and pharmaceuticals. I hope to apply the skills I have learned from miLEAD in order to succeed in my future career.

What roles have you played on projects? 

The projects that I have been involved in have all been in the realm of biotechnology or healthcare—which has been incredibly rewarding as a biomedical PhD Candidate. Through these projects, I have applied both primary and secondary research skills to solve problems for our clients. I have thoroughly enjoyed not only learning more about consulting but also having the opportunity to interact with clients, healthcare professionals, and other students involved in miLEAD. I love how the projects are fast-paced and allow me to have an additional outlet to learn new things outside of my thesis project. I was recently promoted to the role of Project Manager, and I am looking forward to having the opportunity to lead projects this spring and grow my skills in project management.

What led you to seek out miLEAD?

When I was an undergraduate student, I interned at the University of Michigan Medical School in a cancer pharmacology laboratory. My graduate student advisor, Jackee Sanchez, would always talk about how she was involved in miLEAD outside of the laboratory and how this organization truly inspired her to take the next step in her career. Upon being accepted into the University of Michigan, I always knew that I also wanted to become involved in miLEAD and I was fortunate to be accepted in 2023. Now, as a graduate student at Michigan, I am involved in miLEAD to learn more about consulting and to take the next steps in my own career in industry.

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

Since joining miLEAD, I have had the opportunity to improve upon a myriad of professional development skills. First, I have learned ways to improve my time management skills, as I have been able to work on consulting cases while working in the laboratory each day as a full-time graduate student. I have also learned ways to improve my presentation preparation skills and also how to become a better public speaker. Some of the most meaningful skills I have learned are the soft skills developed by interacting with clients and learning how to maintain positive, professional relationships with clients. These relationships are crucial when collaborating with clients and working toward achieving their goals.

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

In miLEAD, I love having the opportunity to learn new things and become an expert in a particular area in a short amount of time. I have found that I enjoy the quick turnaround of projects, which starkly contrasts with the long-term work of writing a thesis. It is also incredibly rewarding having the opportunity to interact with both clients and miLEAD members to learn more about consulting projects and the research/scholarship my colleagues at Michigan are currently working on.