“Sometimes a new scientific approach only succeeds if people are willing to fight for it”
Thomas
Thomas
Director, Discovery Project Management
Geneva, Switzerland
Director, Discovery Project Management
Geneva, Switzerland
When I first joined this company over ten years ago, I worked with a small research team that made a breakthrough in identifying PI 3-kinases as promising new biological targets for future therapies. There were several times when our research project was almost cancelled, but we continued to believe in it and were able to convince management to proceed. It’s been fantastic for everyone involved to see one of these projects progress into the clinic.
Sometimes a new scientific approach only succeeds if people are willing to fight for it. That’s why I think courage is one of our most important values at Merck Serono.
At the outset of a scientific project, everything needs to be wide open to encourage creative thinking. But as a project progresses, a framework is useful to make sure that the work is done quickly and efficiently. Specific criteria need to be met to reach the next decision point and the information must be presented in a structured way to the governance committee that determines whether or not a project should continue. My role is similar to that of a global positioning system (GPS): I help with the directions, but the scientific team does the driving.
In my current job, I can stay informed about the latest research, which is very important to me as a scientist. At the same time, I have more of an overview of R&D that comes from working in project management. Merck Serono has given me a lot of opportunities and the chance to grow both professionally and personally. I am grateful for that.
