What are your primary job responsibilities?

As a discovery process chemist, I bridge the gap between medicinal chemistry and process chemistry, conducting scale-up campaigns to fuel larger deliveries (5-100 gram) for early discovery needs (e.g. toxicology, DMPK animal studies). When a discovery program makes the transition to our process division, I work with those chemists to transfer the chemistry I developed to their pilot plants. This job is in the laboratory, conducting experiments and developing new chemical reactions. 

What is a typical work day-in-your-life like?

Drive to work, get some coffee, check my NMR spectra and LCMS data from the day before, take samples from overnight reactions, start and monitor new reactions, eat lunch at the company cafeteria, coordinate/collaborate with high-throughput and pressure chemistry groups to assist in reaction screening and reaction development.

How did you find your first job?

I found my internship at Upsher-Smith Pharmaceuticals through the UMN job portal (I can't remember what it was called back then). I found my job at PPD on-line. I got my job at AbbVie through an on-campus recruiting event at UC-Davis.

What level of education (Bachelor's, Masters, PhD, etc.) is required to do your job? 

PhD

What is your work schedule like? Do you ever work weekends or nights?

I typically work 7am to 5pm. On occasion, if the project needs are urgent and timelines are tight, I will work on a Saturday or a Sunday, very very rarely both weekend days.

Do you travel for work? If so, in what capacity, and how often?

Typically I will travel to a conference once a year as a presenter.

What is your work environment like? Do you work mostly with a team or mostly independently? Do you stand, sit, or move most of the day?

Laboratory environment including bench, fume-hood, and glovebox work. Most work is independent in my role, with close collaboration with the project team and other chemistry teams in the company (HTE, pressure chemistry, purification). 50:50 sitting and standing and walking to facilities.

What do you like most about your job?

Independence, intellectual stimulation, collaboration, talented colleagues and mentors.

What are some tools or skills that you can't live without? These can be technologies, soft skills, hardware, or anything else you can think of.

People skills/communication skills are essential to being productive and happy in a scientific role. Natural product synthesis is a fantastic experience to prepare one for working in pharma research. Time management skills, confidence in NMR interpretation.

What skills, traits, talents do you have that you think make you a good fit for your job?

Natural product synthesis experience, soft/people skills, communication/presentation skills.

What's your best productivity trick?

Coffee

Do you have any habits that are essential to your professional success that you wish you started earlier?

Undergraduate research and conferences as an undergrad really help set you up for a career in the sciences. I did not do these things, but it would have helped with applying to graduate schools, getting experience within the field. 

What's the best career advice you've ever received? What career advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?

Treat your PhD more like a job, set boundaries with lab time and commit to efficient and productive work. My advice would be to enjoy graduate school, get out and explore your geographic area, maintain at least 2 hobbies outside of your research area to keep you engaged. Spend time with your friends!

How do you build community in your career field? Are you part of any professional organizations?

Attend conferences, try to make friends wherever you go. Ask as many questions as you can after seminars, during poster sessions. 

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at the University of Minnesota?

Attending concerts downtown, studying in the medical library basement, spending time with friends and roommates, Spring Jam festivities, playing club volleyball.