Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 3/1/2022 12:00:00 AM

Tao Long, PhD, Clinical Pharmacologist, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA

What Professional Accomplishment Are You Most Proud Of?
I am most proud that I became the first member of my family to ever study abroad and earn a PhD. To embark on a new journey of pursuing a doctoral degree in another continent, to which I had never been, was one of the most crucial and critical decisions that I ever made in my life. This journey, although fairly challenging and difficult, was also filled with warm and sweet memories. It allowed me to hone my professional skills, discover my career interests, and explore various possibilities that life offered. After graduating with a doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to complete a fellowship training at the FDA as well as a postdoctoral training at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology (UF-CPSP). I am currently working as a clinical pharmacologist at Qualitative Clinical Pharmacology with Takeda Oncology, and I am honored to have the chance to make direct contributions to the development of novel medicines for patients with cancer worldwide.

Who Has Inspired You in Your Career?
There are so many people who have inspired me and helped shape my career. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my PhD advisor, Dr. Robert Gibbs at the University of Pittsburgh, who helped me lay a solid foundation in pharmacology and trained me into an independent scientist. I want to express my deep appreciation to my fellowship mentor at the FDA, Dr. Kunyi Wu, for her encouragement and support, and for leading me into the exciting field of clinical pharmacology. I also wish to greatly thank my postdoc advisor, Dr. Stephan Schmidt, for his immense guidance and insightful expertise during my training at UF-CPSP. Last but not the least, I want to thank Dr. John Gibbs and Dr. Neeraj Gupta at Takeda Oncology, for seeing the talents in me and recruiting me to join their fabulous team, and providing me with tremendous opportunities to learn, to develop, and to realize my full potential. I am incredibly grateful to have the privilege of working with and learning from so many talented individuals and experts in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

When You Aren’t Working, How Do You Spend Your Free Time?
When I have some free time to spare, I enjoy reading, watching movies, traveling, photography, and tennis. These hobbies help me overcome mental fatigue, recharge my energy, and become a better version of myself. I am satisfied that I successfully lost 25 lbs recently thanks to an active workout and a healthy diet. I wish I could run a half-marathon in the near future.

What Was Your Childhood Dream Job?
When I was a kid, becoming a scientist and a world traveler was my dream. As a Gemini, I am always curious and ready to embrace new adventures and challenges. Exploration of the unknown excites me greatly.

Dr. Long has been a member of ASCPT since 2018.