This month’s professional spotlight features Yodit Tesfaslassie. Yodit is a Senior Site Manager at Janssen Pharmaceuticals via DOCS Global contracting company. Janssen is part of the Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development group conducting research and development activities related to various human medical disorders. Read this month’s spotlight to learn more about Yodit and her work.

Q: Could you briefly explain some of your responsibilities in your current career role.

As a Site Manager, I’m assigned to a set of Clinical Trials and I’m responsible for the conduct of those trials per FDA and/or Local Regulatory Agency guidelines.  Once a drug company and/or pharmaceutical company has developed a molecule for a medical use, it will undergo a preclinical development or nonclinical testing; which most people associate with animal testing, although there is a lot more to it than just animal testing. Once the scientist has received favorable results, that molecule will be developed into either a drug or medical device for further human testing, a clinical trial. At this stage I would be assigned to a trial along with several Physicians that agreed to participate in the clinical trial. I’m responsible for the conduct of the trial in participating hospitals and clinics within my region. Some of my responsibilities include: training the participating doctors/physicians and  staff in the clinical trial protocol, making sure patients are willingly participating and that their human protected rights are maintained per local regulations throughout the study, collecting data from patient charts and monitoring their health in conjunction with the physician’s report, assessing side effects related to the new drug under study or to their existing condition, and finally writing reports and sending for internal review. At the end of the trial all data collected is evaluated to verify if the drug does improve patients’ health, or hopefully in some case cure.

I usually travel about 70% per month (could be less or more depending on the assignment and the trial need); If I’m not traveling then I’m working from home.

Q: How did you come to decide that this was the right career path for you?

I initially wanted to be a Pharmacist and worked as a Pharmacy Tech in a local drug store near the university I attended. After working there for a couple of years and learning the ins and outs of being a pharmacist and the expectations of the job, I realized that it wasn’t what I expected it to be and could not see myself pursing the career. I was in my 4^th year and had to decide quickly what I wanted to do and if it was worth going to Pharmacy school since I had completed my pre-requisites. At that time, my school was starting a new program, Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research which was similar to my pharmacy school prerequisite classes except for a few more that I had to add; therefore, I decided to switch my degree and stay an extra year to complete those classes.

Q: Is there a philosophy that drives your career?

In Everything, do to other as you would have them do.

Don’t be afraid of change! If you’re not happy in whatever situation you might be in, you have all the power you need to make the change. If you need help, just ask. You are the master of your life.

Q: What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment?

This is not professional but it’s my biggest accomplishment in my life yet. About two years ago my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and that was devastating to my family especially to my mom; her biggest enemy at that time was not the disease itself but it was her mind!  Having cancer seemed like it was a death sentence.  I was assigned to a breast cancer trial during the same time and had gained a little insight into the disease state and treatments. It was a blessing to be in that position with all the resources including oncologist I’ve worked with to understand the disease and in turn teach my mom everything I had learned. She accepted having and living with cancer, understood the disease and followed the treatment regiments provided by her oncologist. Cancer is scary and can be overwhelming to the entire family; But with the right resources, tools and medication we can all overcome it.

Also, it’s nice to see some drugs I have worked on in the past make it to market and see a commercial on TV occasionally aside from the very tiny sometimes long fine print listings of all the side effects from the drug.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give someone looking to transition into your line of work?

Anyone with a science background, who’s looking either for entry level or just looking to change careers can do this job; you just have to complete industry training, which will be provided by the company and put in the work and time. Don’t be afraid to use your contacts/connections. Anyone interested can contact me anytime.

Q: Outside of all your hard work and efforts toward building your brand, what do you do for fun? Hobbies?

Love spending time with my family and friends. Food & Wine. Travel. Photography. Binge-watching Netflix.