What I Do I am responsible for the development and manufacture for pre-clinical and clinical stage therapies including antibodies, gene therapies and recombinant proteins.
Why Engineering? I wanted to have a hands on approach to the science I enjoyed. I wanted the founding principles to work in biologics manufacturing and understand not only how to work the equipment, but also how the equipment works.
My Day At Work These days most of our "hands on" activities are outsourced to various facilities across the globe. I spend a lot of my day managing the programs as well as working on internal cross-functional teams to usher a candidate molecule from research into development and into the clinic. I often author technical and regulatory documents, trouble shoot activities at our partner sites, etc.
Proud Moments Recently, my team was the first to successfully manufacture a complex protein that has been a target therapeutic for a long time. Other companies tried and failed, but our team used state of the art technologies and a little creative thinking to overcome the technical hurdles.
Challenges In my early career most of my challenges were status quo -- technical challenges, team dynamics (or lack there of). Today, I mostly find that I am navigating complex situations where my age, sex and mannerisms are forefront in how people react to the things that I am saying. I've had to find my voice and exercise my expertise in new ways.
My Family I have been married to my partner, Rob, for 9 years and we have two boys ages 2, 4. Our eldest, Tristan, is the thinker, tinkerer who is OBSESSED with Legos. My youngest, Elgin, is an extroverted, smiley guy who loves to be outside and play catch. We live in the greater Boston area with a French bulldog and a cat. For fun we like to take family trips to Oregon, Vermont and Cape Cod.
Dreams and Goals In the short term I hope to see my current project to successful late stage clinical trials. Long term I hope to be in a position to help multiple companies reach clinical reality through development and manufacturing support -- either which a CDMO of my own or a prolific consulting business.
Inspiration My parents are the number one drivers in my success and life choices. They have been supportive throughout. Neither of my parents worked in scientific disciplines, but always supported my curiosity. I have also been blessed with a number of industry mentors who have shepherded my career in different ways.
Want to be an Engineer? Do it. The world needs more engineers who can think in multiple dimensions. Women are inherently stronger at marrying the idea of soft skills and technical skills and the world needs more of that.
Hobbies Currently my hobby is raising kids. I also enjoy Yoga, the outdoors, ax throwing, cooking and experiencing life through good food and great friends.