Table 9: Careers Outside of Academia

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Lisa Halvorson, MD

What is Your Current Position?

In 2014, I joined NICHD as Chief of the Gynecologic Health and Disease Branch (GHDB) in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  For approximately 6 months, I was also the interim head of the Contraception Research Branch at NICHD/NIH pending recruitment of a new chief. As the GHDB Chief, I administer a multimillion dollar portfolio of grants which include basic, translational, and clinical studies on menstrual disorders, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, pelvic floor disorders, and gynecologic pain syndromes. The branch also oversees training and career development programs in women’s health research. I have frequent communication with various NIH “stakeholders” including investigators, public advocates, small business leaders, and staff at other federal agencies.  I retain close ties to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), and the Endocrine Society.

What are your current research endeavors and/or other academic contributions?

For nearly 20 years, I was an NIH-funded clinician-scientist with an active basic research lab in the field of molecular neuroendocrinology.  My current position is primarily an administrative position.  However, I remain involved as project scientist for the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network and continue to make academic contributions through membership on the ACOG Committee on Gyn Practice and a number of grant selection committees.  I am also an editorial board member for Endocrinology, Reproductive Sciences, and the American Journal of Physiology as well as an editor and author for the Williams Gynecology textbook. 

What has been the most pivotal moment in your career?

There have been a number through my career, but the most recent was when I decided to leave academia and move to NIH.  I was looking for new challenges and developing new skills. As much as I loved my lab and clinical care, I felt that a position at NIH would give me the opportunity to impact gynecologic research and ultimately women’s health more broadly. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to a trainee?

Perseverance is key.   The academic road is difficult and often moves forward slowly, so it’s critical to be persistent and stay focused on your goals.  On the other hand, your interests may change with time and you need to be willing to change course if you find your interests changing. 

 

Diana Morgenstern, MD, FACP

What is Your Current Position?

Diana Morgenstern, MD, FACP, FCPP is a general internist whose varied career to date includes the medical affairs and drug development for the pharmaceutical industry, academic clinical practice, medical education including curricular development and medical communications.  Specifically within pharma, Dr. Morgenstern has over a decade of experience in US and Global Medical Affairs with product-specific and portfolio-level responsibility for both mature and peri-launch products in the gastroenterology, vaccines and women’s health therapeutic areas. Currently, she is the Global Medical Asset Lead within the Pfizer Essential Health business unit for a portfolio of products in contraception, menopause and other women’s health-related conditions. In this position, she works closely with colleagues around the world to support the needs of patients, health care providers and public health agencies relative to the safe and effective use of these products.

What are your current research endeavors and/or other academic contributions?

Dr. Morgenstern has published in the areas of women’s health, women’s mental health, gastroenterology and adult pneumococcal vaccination. Recognized as a “Best Doctor” in the NE Region, Dr. Morgenstern continues to supervise internal medicine residents in the primary care internal medicine clinic at the Drexel University College of Medicine where she is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine.

What has been the most pivotal moment in your career?

The most pivotal moment in my career occurred when I chose to take a perceived risk, and accept a job in a capacity I had never envisioned.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a trainee?

Network, network, network…one thing leads to the next in a career, and you cannot always know --or even imagine-- what roads you may choose to travel when you first set out.

 

Thomas Zollner, MD

What is Your Current Position?

Vice President, Head of Gynecological Therapies at Bayer Pharma AG.

What are your current research endeavors and/or other academic contributions?

Thomas does research in endometriosis, uterine fibroids & PCOS. Information on compounds and mechanisms that are in development by Bayer for these indications can be seen in the link mentioned below: http://pharma.bayer.com/en/innovation-partnering/development-pipeline/#&gid=1&pid=1