Consultant Spotlight - October 2026

How long have you been with miLEAD? 

Since October 2023 (3 years).

What is the focus of your research?

I am developing small molecule inhibitors of the oncogenic microRNA miR-181a in high grade serous ovarian cancer.

What are your current career goals?

My current career goal is to establish an independent research program that uncovers the mechanisms by which oncogenic noncoding RNAs promote cancer progression and translate those molecular vulnerabilities into therapeutic strategies.

What roles have you played on projects? 

So far, I have served on two projects as a consultant and on one project as a project manager. I am looking forward to advising on a project soon!

What led you to seek out miLEAD?

I first learned about miLEAD through three members of my lab who held leadership positions in the organization. I watched them develop valuable skills in slide design and in communicating complex information clearly and concisely. Just as importantly, they learned to carry themselves professionally, adapting how they spoke and presented to audiences outside academia in a way our graduate training doesn't typically teach. Through miLEAD, they also had the chance to work alongside early-stage companies and see how new ideas move toward commercialization. Seeing their growth, I wanted to build these same skills. At the time, I was also eager to explore career paths beyond academia, and miLEAD's professional development events offered exposure to a wide range of career options, along with the chance to network with alumni currently working in those roles.

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

Since joining miLEAD, I have developed strong project management skills that have translated directly to my work in the lab. I now manage my own PhD project more effectively and communicate more clearly with collaborators across disciplines. miLEAD has also given me insight into what matters to stakeholders when it comes to spinning out new oncology therapeutics. I have gained a better sense of the questions they ask and what drives their interest beyond the underlying biology, and I am learning how to tailor my communication to that audience. This is a skill I am still building. I have also grown in professionalism and slide design, and I continue to develop in both areas.

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

One of the most rewarding parts of miLEAD has been learning about the career options available to me, which has helped me identify the path that best fits my goals. Through this process, I realized that while I love following the science, translating it into real-world impact requires framing my work around the interests of stakeholders. Getting early exposure to how pitch decks are built for these audiences has been especially rewarding, and it has shaped how I think about presenting my own research.