Science is my Superpower

•    How long have you been at Integra? What does your role at Integra entail?
I have been with Integra for a little over six years. I manage execution of clinical studies for certain products in our Codman Specialty Surgical and Tissue Technologies portfolios. Together with my team, we ensure protocol development, timely start-up, and collection of relevant data aligned to expected timelines and budget. 

•    Can you tell us how you became interested in science?
I started studying biology, chemistry, and physics in middle school and was fortunate to have excellent teachers who influenced my love of science. I took more science classes in high school which made me enjoy it even more. I earned an associate’s degree in chemistry at a community college and then went on to Rutgers University for my bachelor’s degree. Ironically, for reasons I can’t recall, I majored in accounting and was miserable. I went back to my roots and decided to take Chemistry I and II. It was like riding a bike. Ultimately, I changed my major to biochemistry because it gave me a chance to concentrate on a few different types of sciences at the same time. 

•    Can you talk about what motivated you to pursue your MBA?
I had been in the healthcare industry for about five years when I decided to pursue my MBA in pharmaceutical management at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. At that time, I was collaborating with different stakeholders and discovered that things such as accounting, marketing, and management were necessary if I wanted to grow in the field. Over time, I became more interested in these areas – even accounting😊! So, when I found a program that combined sciences/pharmaceuticals and my new interests, I was excited to enroll in the program.

•    In your own words, what does International Day of Women and Girls in Science mean to you?
For me, International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the strides that women and girls are making in the field of science. Celebrating this day gives young and aspiring scientists the encouragement and motivation to keep pursuing their dreams. It is also a time to celebrate the achievements and advances of female scientists.

•    Can you tell us more about your career journey here at Integra?
When I joined Integra in 2018, I was a clinical research manager.  While I had a lot of experience in the pharmaceutical field, this was my initial foray into the medical device world. I was nervous about the unknown but excited to learn new things and leverage my experiences. As I settled into the role, I found the entire team to be supportive, collaborative, and ready to answer my questions. Since then, I have worked on a few different studies for both CSS and Tissue Technologies, mentored several colleagues, developed and implemented processes and SOPs, and have grown both personally and professionally. 

•    Can you tell us more about how you have been mentoring others in R&D? How has this has been mutually beneficial between R&D and Clinical Affairs to learn other areas of our business?
Mentoring has always been something I love to do. It is rewarding to see those around you grow and develop a deeper interest in their roles or other roles. With our different franchises, it’s awesome to be able to show someone from R&D what happens next, once the product leaves the lab and how it’s helping our patients. 

I have also been fortunate to mentor colleagues in our Integra Rotational Program. The program enables Integra to showcase the different departments, talents, and opportunities available to those new to our company and industry. Through mentoring I have helped rotational colleagues learn more about how clinical studies tie into the ’bigger picture’ of what Integra does. I was extremely excited when one of our rotational associates joined our department after their final assignment.  She has become a high-performing member of our team.

•    How have you taken an active role in identifying opportunities for development for yourself?
Identifying opportunities may not mean a new role or title but rather an opportunity to learn a new skill or responsibility that you need to develop. Each quarter I reflect on what has worked well and what hasn’t. For those things that work well, I continue to do them. For things that haven’t worked well, I try to come up with a solution or ask others how they would handle the situation. If you never test yourself and have confidence in your own abilities, you'll never grow and develop.

•    Can you share a favorite quote about aspirations for the new year?
We always tend to think – “New Year, New Me” but I relate more to “New Year, Elevated Me”. If there is something that I want to change, my focus is on improving upon it or picking up a better habit which seems a lot less intimidating than a complete reinvention of myself. 

•    What would you like people to know about you on a personal level?
I am trying to make memories and live life as purposefully as possible while balancing my career, family life, and finding joy in the little things. I grew up mostly outside of the U.S. and came here in high school so I guess you can say I have lived the best of two different worlds. I cherish family, culture and faith. I also love to travel to new places, enjoy the beach and am trying to get back into reading more.

•    What is your approach to collaboration?
I love collaboration and try to champion it as much as I can. I am a big believer in relying on the experts on your team to do what they do best and encouraging them to collaborate towards the bigger goal. This helps the individual not only feel they are contributing to the overall goal but also have proud ownership of that contribution.

•    What do you think is most positive about working at Integra?
The most positive thing about working at Integra is the impact I can have on our people and patients. A lot of our teams are small, but we still have the ability to implement changes and improvements that have a measurable impact, quickly making us agile in terms of process improvements. I feel that we pass on those efficiencies to our patients. We have the opportunity to see how we have improved their lives with our products. It’s also incredibly gratifying to see those that I have mentored thrive in their career.