From Designing Biosensors to Designing Patient Screenings

Name: Katarina Nemec (she/her)

PhD: Biomedicine, University of Wuerzburg, 2022

What was your main area of research?

By using molecular and cell biology techniques and advanced microscopic methods, I was studying activation and signaling of the Parathyroid hormone receptor after interaction with receptor-activity modifying proteins. I designed biosensors and measured those processes.

What is your current job?

I am a Lead Researcher at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. 

My position involves designing screenings, writing papers, conducting experiments, giving presentations, and consulting about pathophysiological aspects of research.

This job still has many characteristics of academia but in a more industry environment. 

I really enjoy that my job requires creativity and involves a diverse set of responsibilities.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now? 

I found this job by being contacted by my current employer.

PhD graduate ➡️ Lead Researcher

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

1. Try many extracurricular activities

2. Take different workshops

3. Network during conferences and on LinkedIn

4. Find mentors