For Dr. Laura Chambers, Everything is Working Out for the BEST
As it turns out, Dr. Laura Chambers’ best option really was her BEST option.
For Dr. Chambers, who earned her BS in biochemistry from the University of Michigan-Flint and her master’s degree in epidemiology from Michigan State, a Ph.D. seemed to be the next logical step for her as she pursued a career in the field of pharmacology and toxicology.
But she admitted, “I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to use a Ph.D. for. I just knew I’d need a Ph.D to get to the level of leadership I’d like to have in the future. I admit it wasn’t the most well-thought-out career path of all time.”
She knew she wanted to remain in the field but not necessarily in lab research or academia. With the advice and assistance from her mentor, Dr. Anne Dorrance, Chambers took part in the Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) program at MSU.
“The goal of that program is to provide career guidance for students who are pursuing non-traditional career paths,” Dr. Chambers said. “I knew academia wasn’t a good fit for me, and BEST helped me understand that.”
MSU was one of 17 university graduate schools across the country that received funds from NIH to build programs that would prepare students for careers outside of academia. The program helps students in the biomedical field to identify their strengths and what professions would best suit them as they continue their journey.
“They had us do personality and skills assessments and match you with what you would be well-suited for,” said Dr. Chambers, who earned her Ph.D. with a concentration on the vascular consequences of hypertension. “I got a good range of different options for my career and that’s when I learned what a medical science liaison was. And I started thinking more intentionally about that.”
Through the BEST program, she focused her job search on positions that included an educational component. She has established herself as a medical science liaison, first working for Alimera Sciences and most recently starting in a new position with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, a global specialties company where she focuses on rare ophthalmological diseases.
In her travel-heavy current role based in her home in East Lansing, she educates physicians and health care providers to assist them in making clinical decisions. She also relays information back to the company so officials have a better understanding of what physicians are thinking regarding patient care.
“I’m basically an information resource for physicians,” she said. “And in conversations with healthcare providers, I can gain insight on physicians’ attitudes toward the data and available therapies and bring that information back to the company to help shape the company’s medical strategy.” Dr. Dorrance said her former student is in the was ideal position professionally.
“Laura was the kind of student every mentor dreams of,” she said. “She had great hands in the lab but was also an exceptional communicator. Her current position is perfect for her. Laura is a ‘people person’ and I love that she found a job that allows her to think like a scientist while playing to her strengths.”
While Dr. Chambers is currently working on a specific role outside the lab setting, she said the knowledge and background she gained from MSU’s program will benefit her moving forward.
“I love that this position still allows me to be close to research, just on the clinical side,” Dr. Chambers said. “I’m still tied to research in some way and I’m responsible for knowing the ins and outs of drug trials the company has ongoing, as well as those of competitors.”
She also credits MSU, and Dr. Dorrance, with helping her with public presentations that she said helped her land her current position that relies on traveling to numerous conferences and providing valuable information.
“(The position) was really competitive, and Dr. Dorrance helped me shape my science communication skills,” she said. “And that’s always a good thing.”