Alumni Update: Rosalynde Finch

After completing my rather lengthy graduate career, I spent several years in the biotech world, and now am employed as a Medical Science Liaison by a pharmaceutical company. Along the way I had a baby boy we named Bennett, who is now a very active 2 year old. Eric and I are still fixing up our 200-year-old Victorian house in Seattle, although at a much slower pace since Ben entered the picture.

Shortly after I finished my thesis work in Phil Greenberg's lab, Amnis, a Seattle biotech start-up, hired me. They were developing novel instrumentation for flow-imaging, and I was the first scientist they hired to develop applications for the technology. It was a great challenge and I had many opportunities there, including writing grants, developing collaborations, and contributing to business plans. I also developed a novel protocol that led to a patent application.

After 3 years, I changed focus and began working for Icogen, another small Seattle biotech, which was developing a therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease. This was very meaningful work for me since my father had been diagnosed with AD the previous year. I learned a great deal about neuropathology, and also had a chance to be a project director and write more grants! Unfortunately, the financial situation was not as stable as I was led to believe, so I found myself looking to make another career change.

I am now working as a Medical Science Liaison for the Medical Affairs Dept of UCB Pharma, covering the Pacific Northwest. UCB is a Belgian company with US headquarters in Atlanta. They recently bought Celltech, which has several immunology-based drugs in the pipeline. I had never heard of the MSL position until a year ago, but it's a great job for PhDs. (They also hire PharmD's and MD's for the position). I work from a home office, and provide medical information and support to investigators running clinical trials. I'm still quite new at the job, but love it so far, and would be happy to share my experience with anyone considering the position.

The rigorous training in writing grants and papers I received as a graduate student has been a tremendous asset. The frequent presentations I made in graduate school for journal club and lab meetings were also key preparation, and lastly, the independent nature of the work I did in Phil's lab prepared me to be an independent investigator very early in my career.

I hope all of you are finding success and fulfillment in whatever path you have taken!

Lynda

rfinch@u.washington.edu

Posted 9-3-04