January 2010 Scientist of the Month: Sandy Pearce, Ph.D.

by Jessica Reimer, Ph.D.

Dr. Sandy Pearce is a Senior Scientist at Abbott Laboratories and the current President of the AWIS Chicago Chapter.  She received her Ph.D. at the University of Virginia in Biology, followed by a stint as a post-doctoral researcher in the laboratory of Professor Craig Jordan, studying the role of the estrogen receptor and signal transduction in breast cancer, at Northwestern University.  She joined Abbott Laboratories Diagnostics Division as a Senior Technical Support Scientist in 2003.

Sandy got an early start planning her future as a scientist when at her 6th grade graduation, she responded to the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” with “medical researcher.”  She enjoyed studying astronomy and geology as a youngster, but when it came time to choose a career path she pursued a degree in Biology.  Her coursework and research as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison was primarily in molecular biology.  She had special interest in infectious diseases and wrote a senior thesis entitled “Cytokines and Immune Responses of Rhesus Monkey’s Infected with SIV.”  Her graduate thesis work studying the interaction of the calcium-binding protein p22 with microtubules brought her back to basic cell biology.  When it came time to choose a post-doctoral position, Sandy said: “I wanted to do something that was more medically relevant.  The Jordan lab received funding from Avon and participated in the annual Breast Cancer Walk.  There was more of a connection between the research itself and why you’re really doing it.”  She eventually left the Jordan lab to take a position at Abbott Laboratories.

Sandy had been interested in working at Abbott for some time and fortuitously found a position there in 2003.  “A friend was asked to interview and ended up turning it down; she referred me for it instead,” Sandy said.  She currently works as a Senior Scientist in research and development in the infectious diseases area.  As she concisely puts it: “I work on improving current on-market diagnostic tests for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen that detect virus in blood using automated immunoassays.”  Dr. Pearce has achieved work-life balance, a struggle for many women in science, by prioritizing.  She recommends, contrary to what most academic advisors suggest, planning an 8-9 hour workday even in graduate school.  In her experience: “you need organization and a plan to have a normal workday and be successful and accomplished.”  Sandy and her husband recently had their first child, and prioritizing has become even more essential.  Family is important, “but I wouldn’t want to give up the intellectual stimulation and fun that science still is for me.  Getting out and being able to work makes me a better mom.”  She advises women interested in balancing a career in industry with parenthood to “look for something with flexibility and have a good support system.”  She recenlty shifted to working 4 days a week to spend more time with her son and found that the Abbott culture is supportive of this change.

Dr. Pearce became the President of AWIS Chicago in 2008.  She first got involved in AWIS as a graduate student in Charlottesville, VA.  While there was no official chapter, Sandy learned of the organization from a career panel.  “The President of AWIS at the time was attending as a panelist.  My first contact with the group was picking up her up from the airport,” she said.  When she moved to Chicago, Sandy became involved in the local AWIS Chapter as a way to meet people and look for a job.  She served on the Chapter board as Treasurer prior to becoming President.  As President, one thing she takes pride in is “seeing how the organization has grown over the last couple years, having a full board, and the increased member attendance at events.  It’s nice to see the progression.”  When she joined AWIS Chicago, the board was composed mostly of post-docs and lacked continuity as positions were vacated. As AWIS Chicago President, Sandy strives to “keep the momentum going.”

Sandy’s reserved demeanor provides a grounding force for AWIS Chicago and lends itself to a more behind-the-scenes approach.  At events, Sandy is quiet and tends to stick to the background.  But draw her out into conversation and you’ll find a warm, engaging person eager to share experiences and insight into being a successful woman in science!

Nomination and article contributed by Jessica Reimer, Ph.D. Dr. Reimer is the former AWIS Chicago VP of Communications and received her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Northwestern University in 2009.  She is currently a Senior Account Executive-Healthcare with Weber Shandwick.

*AWIS Chicago hopes you enjoyed meeting our Chapter President.  Know a scientist you think should be featured in an upcoming “Scientist of the Month” article?  Send nominations to Jessica Reimer.  Your nominee does not need to be an AWIS member or a woman, but should promote the advancement of women in science, technology, mathematics and engineering.

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