Name: Joelle Martin (she/her)
PhD: Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health; Virginia Tech, 2021
What was your main area of research?
I studied neurotransmitter release in glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and malignant form of adult brain cancer. Specifically, my research focused on the amino acid antiporter System Xc, which is upregulated in approximately 50% of glioblastomas. System Xc mediates the exchange of extracellular cystine for intracellular glutamate. More System Xc at the cell membrane results in excitotoxic concentrations of glutamate in the extracellular space, which kills surrounding neurons. My thesis work centered around finding protein-coregulators that could be manipulated to decrease the presence or functionality of the System Xc antiporter.
What is your current job?
I am an Associate Director of Medical Affairs at Alimera Sciences in Nashville, TN.
My job entails medical, legal, and regulatory review. I am also involved in conference attendance and coverage as well as content creation for conferences, manuscripts, internal training, external physician meetings, advisory boards, etc.
There are a lot of best parts of my job: I support approved products that help people see better! I get to interact with physicians and provide them with information they need to optimize patient outcomes. I am paid fairly for my skills, respected at work, and I have weekends! I have continued opportunities to grow and learn while doing meaningful work.
How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?
I started out as a medical science liaison and I found that position through the Medical Science Liaison Society networking board.
PhD graduate ➡️ medical science liaison (Alimera) ➡️ Associate Director, medical affairs (Alimera)
Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?
Leaving academia was one of the easiest decisions of my life. I knew I wanted to pursue a role in industry (particularly that of MSL) in my second year of graduate school. I wanted to have a more direct impact on patient health while still utilizing my scientific knowledge and the "soft" skills I strengthened in graduate school. Virginia Tech and the TBMH program were supportive of students who wanted to start careers in industry and provided us with many resources and opportunities to help prepare us for this transition.
What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?
For anyone interested in transitioning to a role in medical affairs, I recommend four things:
Practice your presentation skills as often as possible to varied audiences
Find a way to get clinical experience (work on a project with a physician scientist or volunteer/shadow physicians at a local hospital)
Grow your medical affairs network through informational interviews.
Listen to Tom Caravela's podcast "MSL Talk" which is a treasure trove of knowledge and a great place to start building that network.
If you want to break into an industry role, YOU CAN! Do not get discouraged if it takes a while. Persistence and a positive attitude will get you where you want to go.