MercK Research LabsMercK Research LabsRahway, New JerseyRahway, New Jersey

Workshop II:Workshop II:Preparing for the Next LevelPreparing for the Next Level

Lyndon J. Mitnaul, PhDLyndon J. Mitnaul, PhDPrincipal ScientistPrincipal Scientist

Division of Cardiovascular DiseasesDivision of Cardiovascular DiseasesThrombosis Research GroupThrombosis Research Group

2008 UNCF/Merck Honorary Fellow2008 UNCF/Merck Honorary Fellow

Brief review of my Education & Career Brief review of my Education & Career

PathPath

BasicBasic (requirements, suggestions, (requirements, suggestions,

recommendations, advice and tips) for a recommendations, advice and tips) for a

Career in Academia, Government or the Career in Academia, Government or the

Pharma IndustryPharma Industry

Group Discussions!Group Discussions!

OutlineOutline

Penn State UniversityHershey, PA

Obtained a PhD in Biological Chemistry

“Learned how to think & solve research problems”

Dr. Ross Shiman - Mentor

Benedict College, Columbia, SC Obtained a BS degree in Chemistry Summer Internships:

─ Roswell Park Memorial Institute─ Argonne National Labs─ Merck Research Labs – Mr. Hollis

Williams─ Dr. Ken Alston - Mentor

St. Jude Chilidren’s Research HospitalMemphis, TN

Postdoctoral Trainee in the Dept of Virology & Molecular Biology

Influenza A Virus pathogenesis Got external funding (ALA Fellow) Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka - Mentor

My My careecareer pathr path

1997-19991997-1999Senior Research ImmunologistSenior Research Immunologist Department of Inflammation

Research

1999-20101999-2010Research Fellow & Biology Research Fellow & Biology Program Team LeadProgram Team Lead Division of Cardiovascular

Diseases Atherosclerosis Research

Group

2010- present2010- presentPrincipal ScientistPrincipal Scientist Division of Cardiovascular

Diseases Thrombosis Research Group

Merck Research Merck Research LabsLabs

Had a desire to do “practical and

applied” research that had a large

public application(HIGH IMPACT)

Pharmaceutical or Biotech Industry: MERCK, etc…

basic/health-related research practical/applied research many options for alternative scientific

careers

Careers in Biomedical Careers in Biomedical ResearchResearch

Academia: college/university professor

any research area; basic-applied grant writing, lecturing,

mentoring Government:

NIH, FDA, CDC, NCI, etc government-health-related

research positions are lifelong

Others: contract research organizations (CRO) consulting and management companies non-basic research (clinical, regulatory,

marketing, legal, project management, etc)

Ideas for a successful Ideas for a successful Postdoc experiencePostdoc experience

Ask for the opportunity to manage science and scientists Mentor a undergrad/grad student/technician

Ask to contribute to the overall direction and strategy of the lab Extend your research project so that you

can help PI write R01 grants

Ask to manage the finances of the lab Its better when you bring in your own

money, but even if its not, learn how its done

Make a name for yourself in your field of study Work hard!

Don’t be a technician! Its not ONLY about the publications!

Pharmaceutical IndustryPharmaceutical Industry

1. Demonstrated that you are a good “problem-solver” (show you’re a good “scientist”) Show that you can perform research in different

disease areas and innovate Show that you can fit into different research team

cultures, and in the culture of the company Show that you are flexible in what areas of research

you work

2. Provide a unique skill-set that is lacking in the company/dept You have the know-how to generate complicated in

vivo models siRNA and/or AAV skills Unique in vitro skills (eg., LC/MS, reverse genetics,

etc)

Academia & Gov’t?Academia & Gov’t?

1. Research science should be complementary to the dept you are applying Identify depts that you feel your research could

add value Look for internal collaborations that could help

lead to external funding

2. $$! Best if you can bring funds with you during the

interview process Show clear track record of receiving funding in

past

3. Teaching/Lecturing skills Must have the desire (and the ability) to teach

undergrads/grad students

Basic recommendationsfor a career in research

science

Prepare yourself for opportunities & Prepare yourself for opportunities & take advantage of given take advantage of given

opportunities!opportunities!

1.Have a good publication record– PDs: 3 yrs = 3 papers– “quality publications”

2.Obtain external funding while a Grad Student and PD

3.Compete and win research science-based awards travel awards, poster/oral

awards, etc..

4.Demonstrate that you can perform and succeed in different environments and in different fields of study

You must look good on You must look good on paper!paper!

1. Have a neat, clear Resume/CV– many different styles - make it

clean– state all relevant skill-sets – don’t over-sell yourself

2. In cover-letter, state how you can contribute to their organization– what do you bring that is

different?

3. Reference letters are very critical, as well as “who” you select to be your references– your work-relationships are vital– “flags” will be raised if obvious

references are not obtained4. Paper will always “precede” your

physical presence!

You must give a You must give a GREATGREATSeminar & InterviewSeminar & Interview

BIG Pharma

1. Practice your seminar with many people, many times before the interview– prepare clean, concise

slides– well thought-out flow of

your work

2. During the interview, show that you can fit into the “culture” of the company, dept and team– sometimes you need to 1st

understand these cultures

3. Be sure to ask them prepared questions; remember, you are also interviewing the company!

You must “learn” how to You must “learn” how to SURVIVE!SURVIVE!

1. Immediately obtain company mentors and meet with them on a regular basis– find out who the “movers and

shakers” are and how to influence them

2. Set-up a monthly meetings with your immediate supervisors’ boss– gives you face time with upper

management– allows you time to personally

explain your work and your professional ambitions

3. Continuously “smell your cheese”– understand when things are

changing and how these changes may affect you

4. Be “forward-thinking” @ your career– always keep an eye out for your

next position– always look for how you can

contribute to the company goals

1.You must have “thick” skin!

2.You must be able to take rejection, but learn from why you were rejected

3.You must keep applying – you will get to where you are supposed to be

In SummaryIn Summary

Be Productive & Good at what you do– work hard and publish!

Be sure to look good on Paper– clean Resume/CV

Give a GREAT Seminar and Interview– practice; present a clean story

Learn survival skills as soon as you get in– immediately seek mentors

Build your professional NETWORK!– start now, and keep it going!

Don’t give up!

““Make Make a a

future – future – where where

you can you can make a make a differedifference!”nce!”