My journey in the world of Immunology has been a series of fortunate events, shaping what I characterize as a culmination of fortuitous opportunities and serendipitous events. It began with the completion of my undergraduate degree at California State University, Northridge. Under the guidance of Dr. MariaElena Zavala, I was encouraged to pursue my Ph.D. outside of California. Embracing this advice, I enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Indiana.
The subsequent academic chapter unfolded at Indiana University, School of Medicine, where I pursued and obtained a Ph.D. in Immunology. Under the mentorship of Professor Mark Kaplan, I studied the multifaceted role of IL-9, a pleiotropic cytokine, in inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma, lung cancer, and urinary tract infections. One of the conferences I had the opportunity to attend and present a poster at during my graduate studies was the ICIS conference on the Big Island of Hawaii. I participated in an industry networking session, and it was at this session that I met Dr. Alison Budelsky, VP of Immunology Research, and Angela Okragly, Director of Biology. During our conversation, I expressed an interest in exploring postdoctoral opportunities in industry, and they shared information about Lilly’s program and that the Immunology group at Lilly was actively seeking postdoctoral candidates. This encounter turned out to be a game-changer as I considered the next step after graduate school. Not only did it provide a valuable point of contact, but it also opened doors to connect with seasoned professionals within Discovery Immunology Research at Eli Lilly & Co.
Currently, I am a postdoctoral scientist at the Lilly Biotechnology Center in San Diego, CA. Guided by Dr. Andrew Vendel, Senior Director of Biology, I’ve seamlessly transitioned from academic research to the realm of industry-focused scientific research. While acknowledging there’s still much more to learn, this journey has undeniably proven to be an immensely enriching and enlightening experience thus far.
As I reflect on my career trajectory to date, from California to Indiana and back to California, each phase has contributed to a narrative that underscores the importance of embracing unexpected turns in a journey of professional growth.
For those interested in learning more about Lilly Postdoctoral opportunities, check out the Lilly Job Search: https://jobsearch.lilly.com/jobs/?q=Post%20Doctoral%20Scientist.
