Unsupportive Advisor + Layoff Didn't Stop this Manager

Name: Stephanie Silva-Del Toro (she/her)

PhD: Immunology, University of Iowa, 2021

What was your main area of research?

Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell in humans and the first responders to bacterial infections. Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects half of the people in the world and causes chronic infection which can lead to stomach inflammation (gastritis), ulcers and even cancer. These serious diseases are mediated mainly by neutrophils. Thus, it is essential to understand how neutrophils respond to H. pylori infection to understand the processes that can lead to ulcers and cancer.

Neutrophil appearance, lifespan, and capability as part of the immune system change upon H. pylori infection, and this includes a very dramatic alteration of the nucleus of the cell. My project demonstrated that the nucleus of infected neutrophils doubles its volume upon infection and that the cell’s skeleton (microtubules) plays an important role in changing nuclear size and shape.

Finally, I explored the consequences of H. pylori infected neutrophils when exposed to T cells. T cells are part of long-lasting immunity, and they can be controlled by neutrophils under certain conditions. I demonstrated that T cells cannot proliferate in the presence of H. pylori.

The experiments and data shared in my dissertation will help understand host-pathogen interactions better and how neutrophils respond to H. pylori infection.

What is your current job?

I am the Flow Cytometry Core Facility Manager and Scientist at Moderna in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

My job entails several things:

• Provide expert flow cytometry support and training to more than 10 departments (70+ users).

• Create and enforce user policies and maintenance schedule for the flow core ensuring optimal functioning of 15 instruments and manage 3 direct reports.

• Track usage of instruments, generate statistics on hours of use and daily QC and functional tracking of instruments. Liaison with field service engineers to troubleshoot, ensure optimal functioning of instruments, and determine best practices to prevent and predict instrument issues.

The best part is that I get to learn the cutting edge research everyone is doing and contributing as a subject matter expert. Also, I like helping in panel design and optimization. Also, I am always learning about the field of cytometry and ensuring we are at the cutting edge.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

A friend referred me.

PhD graduate ➡️ postdoctoral fellow (1y) ➡️ scientist at a startup (7 months before getting laid off - the company dissolved 2 months later) ➡️ scientist (assay scientist for the flow core @ Moderna) ➡️ current job at Moderna as Flow Manager

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

My postdoc showed me that an academic life was not what I had signed up for.

I was working too hard to be paid so little. I wanted to have weekends off and a regular (predictable) schedule. I also wanted to be able to afford traveling, having more quality time with my family, being able to save money for retirement and being able to go (and afford) scrapbooking retreats.

My role model in academia, over time, became a different and bitter person. I didn't want to become that, so I jumped out of it when I got the chance. It was hard, but I don't regret it.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

My advisor didn't support leaving academia, so I had to figure it out. I wanted out as fast as possible, so I signed up for the Cheeky Scientist workshop and then the program and it was great! I changed my LinkedIn, my CV, and started talking to recruiters. It can be done on your own, I just didn't have the time or mental space to deal with that. They have acquired a bad rep in the last year, but in my experience, they have been pretty great! Highly recommend them.

Also, no one ever told me about layoffs... but when it happened to me (it will most certainly happen at some point if your career is in biotech or tech), it was helpful to have a buddy and reach out to my network (people that went to grad school with me, people from undergrad, professors) and catch up with them. That's how I got my current job.

Also, my advisor replied to my email about getting laid off: "I'm sorry that your new job didn't last... that's how industry works." I was expecting more of a hopeful "you got this" message; but it was pretty comforting to know that my severance package (for 3 months) was higher that what my advisor paid me in a whole year as a postdoc. So... even if you get laid off, you will be fine and find a better opportunity :)

Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?

I am a proud Latina product of DEI programs. Being accepted and celebrated as one is a non-negotiable for me. That is something I looked for when applying for jobs. I am in a very diverse environment and I love it.