Going from Academia to Industry can be a daunting process. Here, we talk to fascinating people, some old friends, and some true powerhouses in the pharmaceutical industry. We talk to them about how they made ...more
Hosted by
Cynthia L. Steel, PhD, MBA discovered her love for biomedical research while pursuing her double Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Music at Carthage College in 2002. She was given the opportunity to do undergraduate research in an adult neurogenesis lab at Rosalind Franklin University from 1999-2002. Inspired by the concepts of neuroregeneration and repair following central nervous system injury, Cynthia pursued her interests in neuroscience and ophthalmology at Loyola University Chicago, completing her PhD from the Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy department in 2009. She continued researching her interests in glaucoma from 2010 to 2016 at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and at Loyola University Chicago as a joined Loyola University Chicago as a Research Assistant Professor and Director of Basic Science Research in Ophthalmology. In 2016, Cynthia transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry and joined Bausch + Lomb as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL). After four years as an MSL and a Senior MSL, she joined Qlaris Bio, Inc. as the Director of Translational Research in 2020. Wanting to improve her business acumen, Cynthia pursued an executive M.B.A. from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business from 2019 to 2021. During her time at USF, Cynthia served as a class representative and also obtained a Post-Crisis Leadership Certificate. Following graduation, Cynthia completed a Designated Project Manager certification course in 2022. Cynthia returned to her original business interest, Medical Affairs, in 2022 by joining Glaukos Corporation as the Director of Global Medical Affairs (Glaucoma). Cynthia's work experience highlights her expertise in medical affairs, translational research, and academia. Her roles demonstrate her ability to excel in both research and industry settings, making her a valuable asset in the field.
