Mary Homer
Credentials: Program Director, US Dept of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
Pronouns: she/her Mary Homer is not allowed to participate in LSCD due to the communications ban instituted for HHS employees by the current administration.
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?