Consultant Spotlight - September 2020

How long have you been with miLEAD? 

6 months

What is the focus of your research?

My research focuses on characterizing cytochrome P450 enzymes via structural and biochemical techniques. Although I work with a few, my favorite P450 enzyme is CYP2W1, which is found in colorectal cancer tissue but is lacking from healthy adult tissue, making CYP2W1 a prime target for designing safer cancer therapies.

What are your career goals? 

My current intention is to return to industry after graduate school. I’ve been interested in working in research and development roles in biotechnology for many years, but I’ve more recently been exploring other career paths such as consulting.

What roles have you played on projects? 

I’ve worked on two projects as a consultant so far.

What led you so seek out milead?

I initially sought out miLEAD as an opportunity to explore consulting, with which I had no prior experience, but I also saw it as a great opportunity to stay connected to a world outside academia and potentially network with businesses in the area. I was additionally encouraged to look into the organization by two very successful women in my department who spoke highly of their overall experience in miLEAD, and now I can do the same!

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

I think the most valuable skill I’ve learned from working on miLEAD projects is the ability to anticipate a client’s needs or intentions for their product. In doing so, I’ve learned how to gather data more efficiently and think creatively about how to address a client’s needs. Learning how to contextualize information in a relevant manner for my audience has been a crucial skill not only on miLEAD projects but also in presenting my research. I’ve also improved my presentation skills as well as my ability to think on my feet in order to communicate information to the client effectively and efficiently. Finally, miLEAD has given me the confidence to navigate unfamiliar spaces such as entrepreneurship and business strategy, which will serve me well once I make my way back to industry.

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

The most rewarding experience I’ve had in miLEAD is connecting with other members of the organization. While collaborating with individuals from a variety of backgrounds both personally and professionally, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from so many great people. Even in the midst of a pandemic, their encouragement and eagerness to serve as a resource for my professional goals has certainly gone a long way.