If you have a specific scientific career you’d like to see highlighted in the newsletter, we encourage you to reach out! Please send an email to our Editor in Chief, Dr. Shana Spindler (shana.spindler@nih.gov) or to our NICHD Office of Education Director of Outreach and Communications, Dr. Triesta Fowler (fowlerlt@nih.gov), with your career interests and questions.
“If I ever had the opportunity to try something new, or to try something different and exciting, I always gravitated towards that,” said Dr. Claire Le Pichon in her lecture for the virtual series An Afternoon with an NIH PI on May 21, 2020. During her talk, Dr. Le Pichon described her winding career path around the world, including a six-year postdoctoral stint at Genentech in San Francisco, California. She loved the team science approach in industry, each individual working toward a common goal. Dr. Le Pichon ultimately left industry to form an independent research lab (yes, that is possible!), but her time in industry clearly shaped her approach to science.
Dr. Le Pichon’s talk was an inspiration while planning this industry-focused issue. So much of scientific doctoral and postdoctoral training happens in academic labs that first-hand information about industry careers is often absent. We’ve reached out to three industry-track former fellows (Drs. Jeremy Weaver, Andy Krouse, and Medha Raina) for a special-edition “Former Fellow Follow-up” Q&A. You’ll also find several quotes from their advisor, Dr. Gisela “Gigi” Storz, about aspects of her mentorship style that help fellows find career paths that suit their personal desires and skill sets.
Career path selection can be a daunting endeavor, and industry is just one option among many for scientists. In our first book review, postdoc Dr. Amrita Mandal offers a synopsis of Next Gen PhD by Melanie V. Sinche, a popular book with examples and exercises for making a successful career transition following your postdoctoral studies.
Enjoy the rest of this jam-packed issue, including an introduction to Dr. Iris Hartley in “The Clinical Corner,” Dr. Anshika Jain’s “Rep Report,” a peek at Dr. Charly Guardia’s WebEx session about Argentina in “Life Outside Lab,” and several new announcements and events. Enjoy summer, everyone!
Your Editor in Chief,
Shana R. Spindler, PhD
Question or comments? Please contact our editor at shana.spindler@nih.gov.
