Science Lecture Series: From Bench to Industry: The Role of Medical Science Liaison
Please join us for another fascinating science lecture on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in our new location in room W153 – the tiered classroom in the main Whitney Academic Center.
With Jenny McDonald, Ph.D., Director, Medical Science Liaison, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
This lecture will also be live streamed.
Abstract:
The Medical Science Liaison (‘MSL’) role is a unique hybrid of deep scientific expertise and strategic communication. Unlike sales representatives, MSLs are peer-level scientific experts who engage with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) to ensure that life-saving medical breakthroughs are understood and utilized effectively in clinical practice. Whether you are a PhD student looking for an alternative to the tenure track, a college student looking for a dynamic corporate role, or a researcher curious about the “dark side” of industry, this session will demystify the MSL career path. We will discuss the day-to-day realities of the job and how to position yourself as a competitive candidate in a rapidly evolving field.
Biosketch:
Jenny McDonald, PhD is a Medical Science Liaison with US Medical Affairs at Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation. With nearly a decade of industry experience across cardiovascular and oncology, she is a medical affairs leader with experience in product launches, disease state education, clinical development and cross-functional collaboration across U.S. and global organizations. In her current role, Jenny supports clinical data and research for prostate cancers and neuroendocrine tumors for radioligand therapy. Prior to her industry career, Jenny graduated from University of Wisconsin, Madison with a bachelor with honors in Genetics and obtained her PhD from Loyola University Chicago where she specialized in translational research in cardiovascular disease. Halfway through her graduate training, Jenny followed her advisor and completed her dissertation research at University of California, Davis. During this time, Jenny participated in a one-year Business Development program with UC-Davis, School of Business where she discovered the importance of industry research. After her Ph.D., Jenny completed a 3-year post-doctoral fellowship in cardiac tissue engineering before getting married in 2015. Jenny currently resides in beautiful Colorado with her husband, Brian and two boys, Liam and Louis. They enjoy the outdoor lifestyle of Colorado and the company of two Aussiedoodles (CoCo and JackJack).