Vanderbilt Beyond The Lab Podcast

Sitting down with Dr. Renee Dawson, PhD, provides a great conversation about her role in the Wente Lab as a staff scientist and her daily activities in that job.

Join us as we speak with alumnus Paul Ruest, a freelance medical writer and director.

Dr. Lesa Black, PhD, tells us about her role as a Scientific Review Analyst/CDRN Navigator with the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical Research and the Mid-South Clinical Data Research Network.

We welcome Dina Stroud, PhD, Executive Director, Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge Program, Research Scientist, to tell us about her role in an academic program management setting.

Junior Research Associate at Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, alumna Elizabeth Conrad, PhD, talks to us about her industry pursuits at a local Nashville company.

Deputy Program Manager with Gryphon Technologies Chad Jackson, PhD, tells us about working in DC, government roles with a PhD, and finding the right career fit.

Former postdoctoral fellow alumnus AJ Baucum returns to campus to share his insight on his role as a primary faculty member at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). 

Join us as we interview Nora Sanchez, PhD, data product manager of Real World Data Operations with Data Projects and Strategy Foundation Medicine.

Larry Thompson, PhD, is a Senior Principal Scientist in BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences with Pfizer. Alumnus now hiring manager and team lead, Dr. Thompson tells us more about his path, what he does each day, and how to ace an interview.

Ever wanted to hear about the power of Informational Interviews? Listen to JT Brogan, PhD (Manager, Global Emerging Markets Regulatory Affairs CMC, Biogen) and hear his story about how important informational interviews were to his career trajectory.

Dr. Margaret Read, PhD, reminds us that we are always a scientist, regardless of what career path we pursue. Learn more about her particular role as the General Manger of Corporate Alliances, Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization at Vanderbilt University.

Medical Science Liaison Dawn Stults, PhD, completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Vanderbilt. She then went on to work for the Sarah Cannon Research Institute as the Lung Cancer Program manager, where she gained extensive clinical research experience. Her first MSL role was at Clovis Oncology. She now works as a Medical Science Liaison for Genentech. Learn more about Dr. Stults, her path, and what she does all day! 

Dr. Lori McGrew knew while in grad student that she really enjoyed teaching. But what did that look like long-term? Join us as we chat with Dr. McGrew and her hop across the street to Belmont University, where she is a tenured professor of Biology. 

Dr. Melody Davis spent much of her career as a Medical Science Liaison, now an educational consultant. Dr. Davis tells us about all the paths we can pursue with an interest in MSL roles plus how to better equip yourself now for that path.

Dr. Kris Burkewitz, PhD, is currently on the tenure-track here at Vanderbilt University. How has the academic search gone for him? What are the difficulties to expect when beginning a lab? We will hear alumnus Dr. Burkewitz answer those questions and more.

Alumna Abby Olena, PhD, is a freelance science writer. Dr. Olena sits down with us to talk about her AAAS Mass Media Fellowship, her remote internship with The Scientist, her thoughts on social media and Twitter, and how to get started in freelance writing. 

Dr. Steven Damo, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Life and Physical Sciences at Fisk University, a historically black university in Nashville, TN. Dr. Damo tells us about his path since his time as a Vanderbilt postdoctoral fellow and how his faculty role has him wearing many hats.

Dr. Jami Scheib, PhD, is a Science Officer with the company Ripple Effect, supporting the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) with USAMRMC. Learn more about her movement into this unique role in Grants, Government, and Research Administration.

What does technology development look like post-PhD? During our time with Dr. Lindsay Marjoram, we hear about her career that started as a grant writer who now gets to dream up the expansion of her company's pipeline.

Dr. Travis Smith, PhD, is the Associate Vice President in Health Care & Life Sciences at Proactive Worldwide. Dr. Smith talks with us today about his role, working with other PhD Vanderbilt alumni, and how his training prepared him for his current role.