MercK Research Labs Rahway, New Jersey

1. Workshop II: Preparing for the Next Level Lyndon J. Mitnaul, PhD Principal Scientist Division of Cardiovascular Diseases Thrombosis Research Group 2008 UNCF/Merck Honorary Fellow MercK Research Labs Rahway, New Jersey

2. Outline • Brief review of my Education & Career Path • Basic (requirements, suggestions, recommendations, advice and tips) for a Career in Academia, Government or the Pharma Industry • Group Discussions!

3. Benedict College, Columbia, SC • Obtained a BS degree in Chemistry • Summer Internships: • Roswell Park Memorial Institute • Argonne National Labs • Merck Research Labs – Mr. Hollis Williams • Dr. Ken Alston - Mentor My career path • Penn State University Hershey, PA • Obtained a PhD in Biological Chemistry • “Learned how to think & solve research problems” • Dr. Ross Shiman - Mentor • St. Jude Chilidren’s Research Hospital Memphis, TN • Postdoctoral Trainee in the Dept of Virology & Molecular Biology • Influenza A Virus pathogenesis • Got external funding (ALA Fellow) • Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka - Mentor

4. Merck Research Labs • 1997-1999 Senior Research Immunologist • Department of Inflammation Research • 1999-2010 Research Fellow & Biology Program Team Lead • Division of Cardiovascular Diseases • Atherosclerosis Research Group • 2010- present Principal Scientist • Division of Cardiovascular Diseases • Thrombosis Research Group Had a desire to do “practical and applied” research that had a large public application (HIGH IMPACT)

5. Careers in Biomedical Research • Academia: • college/university professor • any research area; basic-applied • grant writing, lecturing, mentoring • Government: • NIH, FDA, CDC, NCI, etc • government-health-related research • positions are lifelong • Pharmaceutical or Biotech Industry: • MERCK, etc… • basic/health-related research • practical/applied research • many options for alternative scientific careers • Others: • contract research organizations (CRO) • consulting and management companies • non-basic research (clinical, regulatory, marketing, legal, project management, etc)

6. Ideas for a successful Postdoc experience • Ask for the opportunity to manage science and scientists • Mentor a undergrad/grad student/technician • Ask to contribute to the overall direction and strategy of the lab • Extend your research project so that you can help PI write R01 grants • Ask to manage the finances of the lab • Its better when you bring in your own money, but even if its not, learn how its done • Make a name for yourself in your field of study • Work hard! • Don’t be a technician! • Its not ONLY about the publications!

7. Pharmaceutical Industry • Demonstrated that you are a good “problem-solver” (show you’re a good “scientist”) • Show that you can perform research in different disease areas and innovate • Show that you can fit into different research team cultures, and in the culture of the company • Show that you are flexible in what areas of research you work • Provide a unique skill-set that is lacking in the company/dept • You have the know-how to generate complicated in vivo models • siRNA and/or AAV skills • Unique in vitro skills (eg., LC/MS, reverse genetics, etc)

8. Academia & Gov’t? • Research science should be complementary to the dept you are applying • Identify depts that you feel your research could add value • Look for internal collaborations that could help lead to external funding • $$! • Best if you can bring funds with you during the interview process • Show clear track record of receiving funding in past • Teaching/Lecturing skills • Must have the desire (and the ability) to teach undergrads/grad students

9. Basic recommendationsfor a career in research science

10. Prepare yourself for opportunities & take advantage of given opportunities! • Have a good publication record • PDs: 3 yrs = 3 papers • “quality publications” • Obtain external funding while a Grad Student and PD • Compete and win research science-based awards • travel awards, poster/oral awards, etc.. • Demonstrate that you can perform and succeed in different environments and in different fields of study

11. You must look good on paper! • Have a neat, clear Resume/CV • many different styles - make it clean • state all relevant skill-sets • don’t over-sell yourself • In cover-letter, state how you can contribute to their organization • what do you bring that is different? • Reference letters are very critical, as well as “who” you select to be your references • your work-relationships are vital • “flags” will be raised if obvious references are not obtained • Paper will always “precede” your physical presence!

12. You must give a GREATSeminar & Interview • Practice your seminar with many people, many times before the interview • prepare clean, concise slides • well thought-out flow of your work • During the interview, show that you can fit into the “culture” of the company, dept and team • sometimes you need to 1st understand these cultures • Be sure to ask them prepared questions; remember, you are also interviewing the company! BIG Pharma

13. You must “learn” how to SURVIVE! • Immediately obtain company mentors and meet with them on a regular basis • find out who the “movers and shakers” are and how to influence them • Set-up a monthly meetings with your immediate supervisors’ boss • gives you face time with upper management • allows you time to personally explain your work and your professional ambitions • Continuously “smell your cheese” • understand when things are changing and how these changes may affect you • Be “forward-thinking” @ your career • always keep an eye out for your next position • always look for how you can contribute to the company goals • You must have “thick” skin! • You must be able to take rejection, but learn from why you were rejected • You must keep applying – you will get to where you are supposed to be

14. In Summary “Make a future – where you can make a difference!” • Be Productive & Good at what you do • work hard and publish! • Be sure to look good on Paper • clean Resume/CV • Give a GREAT Seminar and Interview • practice; present a clean story • Learn survival skills as soon as you get in • immediately seek mentors • Build your professional NETWORK! • start now, and keep it going! • Don’t give up!