What are your primary job responsibilities?
Develop strategies and oversee chemical process development and manufacturing operations for small molecule drug candidates under clinical investigation

What is a typical work day-in-your-life like?
Reviewing technical documents and updates from key partners, developing supply strategies, authoring regulatory documents, engaging with external development and manufacturing partners

How did you find your first job?
Industrial recruiting events at my Ph.D. institution

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 work in a virtual/external R&D and manufacturing environment, so there are activities ongoing 24/7. Usually, I work 10am-5pm with a few evening vendor calls for vendors based in Asia.

Do you travel for work? If so, in what capacity, and how often?
Yes. I travel to company headquarters in South San Francisco every ~6 weeks. I also travel internationally ~2-4 times per year to visit our manufacturing sites.

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?
I work remotely, but am constantly collaborating with our internal team and external collaborators. My work is performed at a computer 100% of the time.

What do you like most about your job?
Every day is different! As molecules move through preclinical to clinical development, the types of challenges and activities change. I also like collaborating with scientists and manufacturing sites from different countries and cultures.

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.
Communication skills are critical. I often have to persuade internal or external folks about certain strategies and justify/defend my positions.

What skills, traits, talents do you have that you think make you a good fit for your job?
A passion to seek out and solve problems. Attention to details.

What's the best career advice you've ever received? What career advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?
Ask a lot of questions, and don't be afraid of failure.

How do you build community in your career field? Are you part of any professional organizations?
I'm constantly networking with industry professionals and service providers via LinkedIn, virtual and face-to-face meetings, and industry conferences.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at the University of Minnesota?
Spending many many hours on the 4th floor of Smith Hall in Professor Hoye's lab!