Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 6/1/2024 12:00:00 AM
Sheena Sharma, PhD, Research Investigator, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lawrence Township, New Jersey
What excites you about participating in the ASCPT leadership accelerator program?
As an early career professional, I am excited about the transformative potential of this leadership accelerator program for both my professional and personal development. It offers a unique opportunity to learn from distinguished mentors, collaborate with peers, and contribute to ASCPT's legacy of leadership and scientific excellence. My goal is to learn about the various divisions of the organization, including governance, membership, journals, and the Networks and Communities. A highlight of this program is the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Karthik Venkatakrishnan, which enables me to gain insights into various aspects of leadership and career development.
What is the most important leadership lesson that you have learned the hard way?
One of the most important leadership lessons I have learned the hard way, as echoed in the book The Hard Thing About Hard Things, is that there are no shortcuts to gaining knowledge, particularly the kind that comes from personal experience. In my journey, I have realized that to become an effective leader, it is crucial to learn from existing leaders. Embracing mentorship from individuals across various domains – whether it be professional, scientific, technical, management, or personal – has taught me to appreciate diverse perspectives. It has shown me how important it is to be patient, to stay humble, and to always be open to learning from others.
What is your favorite society memory?
As a member of ASCPT, I have greatly benefited from the webinars and resources offered by its various Communities. Among the many enriching experiences I have had as a member, my favorite was participating in a career development webinar about job interviews, which occurred just before I was about to graduate and of course, was looking for opportunities. The insights I gained during that event were extremely useful and directly relevant at the time. Also, serving as a reviewer for the Annual Meeting's session proposals and abstracts has provided me with valuable insights into the peer review process as well as recent trends in clinical pharmacology and translational science.
When you are not working, how do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy taking strolls, cooking, and reading. I have also started practicing yoga, which I find rejuvenating after long hours working on computer screens.
Dr. Sharma has been a member of ASCPT since 2021.
