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

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?