Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 8/1/2023 12:00:00 AM
Kimberly Collins, PhD, Quantitative Medicine Scientist, Critical Path Institute, Indianapolis, IN
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
The professional accomplishment that I am most proud of would be being able to help others learn how to use R. It was rewarding to see my students tackling complex problems in R after just learning how to read a file into the program a few months ago, especially because I was mostly self-taught and struggled with the program until I had a project that forced me to say goodbye to Excel. Apparently, the incoming trainees are still watching these videos because someone who I had not previously met approached me at a symposium and was like “Hey you're Kim, I watched your R videos!” That really meant a lot, and it was just very rewarding that I could help with that part of their training.
What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
The greatest challenge that I have experienced in my career so far has been dedicating time to learning new approaches and techniques that are not immediately related to a current project. It is so easy to become focused on completing assignments and meeting deadlines. So, I try to spend some time learning and applying new approaches.
Do you have a favorite tip or trick for clinical practice or research that you want to share with fellow members?
I would say a favorite tip of mine is not to procrastinate. At this past ASCPT meeting, my previous graduate advisor, Todd Skaar, PhD, reminded me that I was the only person he has known to have a manuscript ready to go for the second journal before it was even rejected from the first one. It was my very first publication and everyone shared that papers do not always get accepted to the first journal. So maybe not to that extreme, but I think getting in the habit of completing things early can help make some of those unforeseen circumstances more manageable.
What is your favorite Society memory?
My favorite Society memory would have to be reconnecting in person with my network after many years of not meeting face-to-face as well as all the people I ran into during this past Annual Meeting that I have only ever met via Zoom. Also, working at the Critical Path Institute, it was great having the opportunity to meet Janet Woodcock, MD, and Ene Ette, PhD, whose Pharmacometrics: Science of Quantitative Pharmacology book I have read more than a few times!
When you are not working, how do you spend your free time?
Traveling and spending time with friends and family, especially my 1-year-old daughter. If anyone has been on a Zoom meeting with me, you have definitely heard her answer a question or two.
Kimberly has been a member of ASCPT since 2013.
