Day in the life of
Program Manager – Alicia Tetlak
I work as Science Director / Program Manager at Next Science, a biotech company focused on reducing the impact of biofilm-based infections in human health.
On a typical day, I complete a wide range of duties. Chief among those is coordinating tasks and priorities for Next Science’s laboratory and scientific teams to ensure that each team is on track regarding testing priorities for the day. I achieve this by leading project meetings, liaising with team supervisors on items of concern, and consulting one on one with other team members. For Next Science’s new biotech products to be delivered on time, it’s crucial that every member of our team has the ability to work to deadlines without compromising the scientific integrity of their work.
My job also entails preparing or approving tests and procedures that will fulfill project requirements and meet SOPs (standard operating procedures). For quality management, I regularly review and update design plans and project requirements. Also, risk files for products already released and those still under design.
In addition to managing Next Science’s day-to-day lab work, I’m involved in the regulatory management of our products, helping to prepare regulatory submissions. Before approving for our medical products to be sold commercially, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulators require that each product undergo a stringent review process.
Pros
A big pro is knowing that the biotech products I work on at Next Science will potentially help save lives and improve quality of life. The job never gets boring because every day is different, and I’m able to actively participate in the development of a product from conception to launch. The people I work with are smart and passionate, which helps keep me inspired, and working across departments means that I never feel siloed.
Cons
The only real con of working in biotech is that the scientific ambition of a project, and its workload, can sometimes feel daunting.
