Dr. Kristeena Wright didn’t set out to leave academia. Passionate about women’s health and armed with a PhD in biomedical sciences, she envisioned a future filled with discovery and impact. But like many in the academic world, she faced an uphill climb — not just for funding, but for fulfillment. Here’s how a pandemic-era pregnancy, relentless networking, and redefining her own narrative took her from a struggling postdoc to a Director of Medical Communications in biopharma.
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Twins, Lockdown, and a Life Rerouted
In March 2020, just a week into lockdown, Kristeena received life-changing news: she was pregnant—with twins. Her husband and daughter waited at home due to COVID hospital restrictions, and she processed the shock solo, FaceTiming her family from the ultrasound room.
“I honestly had to take a minute. I went and got a huge burger and just sat for an hour before I left,” she laughs.
That pivotal moment forced her and her family to reconsider their lifestyle. With three children on the way, Boston’s high cost of living wasn’t sustainable. They moved to North Carolina, closer to family, with new jobs and a new chapter on the horizon.
Leaving Academia: Passion Isn’t Always Enough
Kristeena’s academic credentials were impressive — a biomedical engineering degree from Duke, a PhD in biomedical sciences from Marshall University, and a postdoc at Harvard studying endometriosis pain. But reality hit hard.
“Watching my PI struggle to get funding, especially in women’s health, was disheartening. I realized that passion alone wasn’t enough in a system not built to support it.”
Despite the growing visibility of women’s health issues today, the field was underfunded and overlooked. Burnout, mental health struggles, and the daily grind made the decision to leave academia surprisingly easy — though the transition was anything but.
Breaking Into Industry: Humbling the PhD Ego
The pivot to industry wasn’t straightforward. Kristeena admits she had to humble herself. Her first non-academic role? Application Scientist at a medical device company that wanted to bridge into the pharma space.
“It was a lot of scientific knowledge mixed with customer understanding. We had to explain complex tools to potential pharma clients and align with their needs.”
She leveraged platforms like Cheeky Scientist, attended forums at Harvard, and became highly active on LinkedIn. These small but consistent steps helped her transition — not directly into her dream role, but closer to it.
Building Toward the Dream Job
Kristeena’s advice for others ready to leave academia? Create a job description for your dream role.
It might sound woo-woo, but it works. By articulating what she wanted — a women’s health-focused, science communication-heavy position — she started taking on side projects that aligned with it. Eventually, that job appeared.
“I saw a secondment role in medical communications focused on women’s health. It was the job description I had written for myself.”
Through proactive networking, she had already connected with people in that division. When the role opened, three people messaged her, urging her to apply. She got the job.
What It’s Like Being a Director of Medical Communications
Today, Kristeena leads content strategy, stakeholder engagement, and medical messaging in women’s health within a major pharmaceutical company. Every day is different, and she thrives in that.
“It’s project management, content creation, and stakeholder communication—all in one. I love that I get to create health content for a living.”
Tips for PhDs Navigating the Career Maze
Here are Kristeena’s top takeaways for anyone transitioning from academia to industry:
- Network strategically: Reconnect with undergrad peers, past managers, and former mentors. Don’t underestimate your existing network.
- Get active on LinkedIn: Post your interests. Become a subject matter expert in your area.
- Dream big, start small: Your first role may not be your dream job. But it’s a stepping stone. Stay focused on your end goal.
- Don’t stay where you can’t grow: If your PI or manager isn’t invested in your development, start planning your exit — quietly if needed.
- Leverage secondments or rotational programs in large companies. They’re a great way to pivot without needing to leave entirely.