The Ins and Outs of Transitioning from a Postdoc to Biomed

Are you thinking about a career in industry after your postdoc training? If so, what do you need to make it? How can you apply your skills as a scientist in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries? Do you think this is a possible career path for international postdocs? In this event, former postdocs share their experiences transitioning to a professional career in the biomedical field and will answer these and other questions. Join our panelists Leanne M. Low, Ph.D. (senior medical writer, Oxford PharmaGenesis), Ana T. Nogueira, Ph.D. (program manager, Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling and Simulation at Allucent), and Zarna R. Pala, Ph.D. (assistant director, Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of Maryland). Together they bring their experiences as former international postdocs, navigating the immigration process, starting a professional career leveraging on their scientific training skills.

Register here (Online registration is available until: 12/6/2023)

Low, a senior medical writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis, transitioned from a decade-long research career, specializing in malaria, to her current role. She obtained her doctorate from Griffith University in Australia and later became a visiting postdoctoral fellow at the NIH, where she capitalized on NIH’s resources to help determine her career options. Her message to fellow international postdocs: “Transitioning away from academia is already a formidable challenge, and when compounded with immigration hurdles, it may seem insurmountable. Plan ahead, stay determined, and don’t underestimate your value.” In a breakout room, Low will address questions on her immigration journey (J1 visa with 212e requirement to E3 visa), how your time as a postdoc can be used to make yourself marketable, and finding opportunities for next steps.

Nogueira's responsibilities as a program manager encompass the comprehensive coordination and management for the development of both clinical and nonclinical projects and programs within clinical pharmacology, ensuring their successful execution from initiation through closure. Her journey leading up to this role prepared her for this role. Before joining Allucent, she was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Pharmacology Department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). During this time, she spearheaded collaborative efforts that spanned multiple disciplines. Her approach involved the utilization of cutting-edge molecular tools rooted in protein structural biology, as well as live-cell imaging methods. Not confined to bench research, her commitment to career development led her to the Office of Graduate Education at UNC-Chapel Hill, participating in higher education research programs. Additionally, she crafted career development programs, underscoring her passion for fostering career growth in the graduate and postdoctoral communities. Ana holds a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and a Master of Science in applied microbiology, both awarded by the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Portugal. She earned a doctorate in microbiology from The University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom. In a breakout room, Nogueira will address questions or brainstorm ideas on how positioning yourself for a transition to the Industry, preparing for job interviews and navigating stressful topics, psychosocial support for navigating visa systems, brainstorming your next career move/path.

Pala served as the assistant director of the Biological Sciences Graduate Program at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Her daily responsibilities involve close interaction with graduate students and active involvement in crafting professional development workshops tailored to their needs. Additionally, she adeptly manages a substantial cohort of over 300 graduate students spread across various campuses, ensuring a smooth and productive journey throughout their doctoral program. Before assuming her current role, Pala was a visiting postdoctoral fellow at NIAID, NIH for five years and was a full-time bench scientist. Her message to the international postdocs: “Plan your next move early on, don’t delay until your final year to seek job opportunities. Begin your career exploration journey as soon as you feel settled in the US, and start building your professional network over time. By doing so, you’ll have a robust network in place when you need it the most. Make the most of the resources available at your institution, engage with career counselors on a regular basis, seek mentors outside of the laboratory and strategically shape your professional path.” In a breakout room, Pala will address questions on immigration journey: obtaining J1 waiver from India and transitioning to H1-B visa; how to build your professional network; how to strategize your job search; how to make the most of available resources.

Photography curtesy of the National Cancer Institute via unsplash