Mary Homer

Program Director, US Dept of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

she/her Mary Homer is not allowed to participate in LSCD due to the communications ban instituted for HHS employees by the current administration.

Biography

Mary Homer is not allowed to participate in LSCD due to the communications ban instituted for HHS employees by the current administration.

Education/degrees:

BA, Biology, Swarthmore College PhD, Microbiology, UW–Madison

Previous positions held:

Post docs at Mayo Clinic, Corixa Corporation
Scientific Review Officer at NIAID
Program Officer at BARDA
Program Director at BARDA

Current position or career path:

Moved into infectious diseases with post doc, then 9/11 happened. Got recruitment call from NIH/NIAID in 2002 to help administer Biodefense funding. Moved to BARDA program office in 2008.

Advice for current graduate students and postdocs:

In other career talks, I have found it helpful to present questions that students might want to ask themselves. Do I want to be a worker bee or in charge? What sort of salary do I hope for? Academia or Industry or Other? What is my risk tolerance for job security? Do I want to be at the bench – hands on or administrative/strategic? What sort of recognition do I hope for in my work? What sort of impact do I want to have on society and science?