Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 9/1/2026 12:00:00 AM
Natalie Jusko, PhD, Clinical Pharmacology Lead, Pfizer, New York, NY
Why did you submit your abstract for presentation at the ASCPT 2026 Annual Meeting?
ASCPT is a space where methodological innovation is closely tied to clinical relevance and patient impact. I wanted to share my work in a setting where the focus is not just on developing models but on how those models can be used to inform meaningful decisions in drug development. It was also an excellent opportunity to receive feedback from experts who think deeply about the practical applications of these approaches.
What does being a 2026 Presidential Trainee mean to you?
This recognition means a great deal to me. The ASCPT 2026 Annual Meeting was one of my first real opportunities to share my research with an audience outside my own institution, and it came at a pivotal moment as I am finishing my PhD. The engagement from the ASCPT community was energizing. People stopped by my poster, asked thoughtful questions, and genuinely wanted to talk about the science and where it might go next. The award itself was an honor, but what I will carry forward is the sense of belonging to a community that is invested in supporting early-career scientists.
Who has inspired you in your career?
My father always told me to find something you love, and it will never feel like work. I saw that in the joy and curiosity he brought to solving difficult problems, teaching them, and encouraging others to ask their own difficult questions, and how that carried into every part of his life. It took me some time to figure out what that meant for me, but once I did, it really clicked. Through clinical pharmacology, I get to dig into complex quantitative problems and see them lead somewhere meaningful, and I try to bring that same sense of joy and purpose to everything I do.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I studied linguistics as an undergraduate, where I worked on my Polish and picked up some German, Arabic, and Swahili along the way. I still love learning languages, and whenever I travel, I try to learn enough beforehand to speak a little while I am there. There is so much context and meaning that gets lost in translation, and even stumbling through a few phrases in someone's native language leads to a completely different connection.
Natalie has been a member of ASCPT since 2021.
