PhD Pathways is a series of sessions designed to expose School of Medicine trainees to a wide variety of career opportunities for PhDs in the biomedical sciences. Each session features a professional with a background in biomedical science, often a Pitt School of Medicine PhD alumnus, who will discuss career choices, skills, and strategies for careers both within and beyond academia.
2025-2026 Sessions
Applied Computational Biology: My Algorithms in Cancer Diagnostics and Life
The January edition of PhD Pathways will feature Pitt Alumnus Dr. Andrej J. Savol, Director of Computational Biology, Foundation Medicine, Inc., sharing perspectives from a scientist working in industry and academia.
January 28, 2026 | 4 p.m. | Register for Zoom
If you’re curious about careers beyond (or alongside) academia and want an honest look at applying your PhD skills to industry, this is for you.
"Working in, Founding and Investing in Biotech Startups"
The December edition of PhD Pathways will feature Dr. Virginia Burger
December 12, 2025 | 4 p.m. | Register for Zoom
Curious how to translate your PhD into impact in biotech? Learn from Dr. Virginia Burger as she shares her path from AI-ML drug discovery to founding and leading startups.
“Teaching at Smaller Academic Institutions While Sustaining Your Research Interests”
The October edition of PhD Pathways will feature Dr. Bradley Andresen
October 9, 2025 | 4 p.m. | Register for Zoom
Learn about building and managing a career in high-teaching environments that could include research and develop your long-term academic strategy. Dr. Andresen will share his experience, offer his insight on balancing teaching and research expectations, and answer your questions on exploring career options beyond R1 institutions.
Whether you're just starting to think about life after grad school or actively exploring options, this event will help you shape a career development strategy that aligns with your goals.
Register to join the conversation on Zoom and start thinking strategically about your future.
July 31, 2025 | 4 p.m.
Don’t miss the July 31st session of PhD Pathways
“A Scientist Can Wear Many Hats: From Bench Research to Medical Writing to Regulatory Project Management”
Featuring Meghan Greenwood, PhD. , Associate Director of Medical Writing at Eli Lilly.
Make the most of this opportunity to explore how a PhD can lead to diverse and fulfilling career paths beyond the bench
July 24, 2025 | 4 p.m.
Don’t miss the July 24th session of PhD Pathways
“Diagnostics and Data: A PhD Clinician’s Career in Laboratory Medicine and AI” with Dr. Sarah Wheeler, PhD, FADLM, CC(NRCC).
Dr. Wheeler is an Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Join us on Thursday, July 24, to network, discuss, and learn how Dr. Wheeler built her unique career at the intersection of diagnostics, data, and patient care—this is a fantastic opportunity to explore nontraditional paths where your PhD can make a clinical impact.
June 23, 2025 | 4 p.m. | Scaife Hall, room 3702
The June edition of PhD Pathways will feature Dr. Chris Herrem, Head of Medical Affairs Strategy at UCB, a global biopharma company, and an alumnus of Pitt’s Immunology graduate.
"Research and Development — Is this the right journey for me?"
2024-2025 Sessions
March 6, 2025 | 4 p.m. | Register for Zoom
The March edition of PhD Pathways will feature Dr. Elaine V. Jones !
Dr. Jones will be discussing the choices and challenges of scientific careers beyond the laboratory. We invite you to make the most of this networking opportunity and to hear from an experienced board director, successful venture capitalist, and skilled pharmaceutical executive!
November 20, 2024 | 4 p.m. | Register for Zoom
October 18, 2024 | 4 p.m. | BST S123
September 23, 2024 | 4 p.m. | BST S120
August 27, 2024 | 4 p.m. | The Assembly - B1610
2023-2024 Sessions:
2022-2023 Sessions:
- January 2023: Angela Coy, PhD, RAC
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Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs CMC, Forge Biologics, Pitt Med PhD 2010
- March 2023: Kelly Quesnelle, PhD
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Professor and Chair, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina, MED 2012
- May 2023: Prajakta Sonalker, Phd
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Partner - Life Sciences IP, Venable LLP, MED 2006
- November 2022: Timucin Taber, MD, PhD
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Chair, Division of Transplantation Surgery; Surgical Director, Liver Transplantation; Professor of Surgery; MED 2005
2021-2022 Sessions
- May 2022: Vidya Gopalakrishnan, PhD
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Associate Professor, Dept of Pediatrics-Research, Dept of Mol and Cell Oncol, Univ of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- April 2022: Dominic Warrino, PhD
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Senior Scientific Advisor, KCAS Bioanalytical and Biomarker Services – 2004
- March 2022 – Alumni Foundations Panel
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- Andrew Lepisto, PhD, Executive Medical Science Liaison at Bristol Myers Squibb – 2005
- Scott A Shell, PhD, Medical Science Liaison for Guardant Health – 2005
- Michael Turner, PhD, Senior Medical Science Liaison at GSK – 2005
- Christopher Herrem, PhD, Senior Scientific Director, Global Medical Affairs and AbbVie – 2004
- Kamal Khanna, PhD Associate Professor at NYU Langone Health, Department of Microbiology – 2004
- February 2022: Jonathan Steckbeck, PhD
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Founder, President & CEO, Peptilogics - 2012 Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics
- January 2022: Elaine Jones, PhD
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Experienced board director, successful venture capitalist, and skilled pharmaceutical executive – 1981 Microbiology
- Dec 2021: Devin Dressman, PhD
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Associate Director of Research Operations and Strategy, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - 2002 Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics
- Nov 2021: Andrea Hassett, PhD
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Vice President , Clinical Services Administration, Vitalant Specialty Labs & Therapeutics - 1987 Pathology
- Oct 2021: Richard Creager, PhD
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Co-Founder & Partner, NaviDx LLC - 1981 Microbiology
