It's no secret that internships are a great way to explore potential careers, gain real-world experience, and expand professional networks. And it did just that for former CTTC intern Wenyue Du. This past January, Wenyue accepted a position as a technology transfer analyst at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. We caught up with Wenyue to see how her new position is treating her and what lessons she took away from CTTC.
1. What are your current responsibilities at Cedars-Sinai?
I am a technology transfer analyst at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Our office commercializes the inventions and discoveries of Cedars-Sinai physicians and scientists, and protects these innovations through the patent process. We also seek licensees and collaborators to further develop healthcare products and therapeutics from our existing technologies to improve patient care. As an analyst, I provide support for the marketing and licensing of our technologies. Specifically, my responsibilities include evaluating invention disclosures for commercial potential, identifying potential licensees through market research, preparing technology non-confidential summaries for active marketing, and analyzing and making recommendations for patent prosecution. I actively monitor and manage a subset of technology portfolios with the Marketing and Licensing Manager and educate research faculties about tech transfer and solicit new disclosure.
2. Did your experience at CTTC help prepare you for your current position, and if so, how?
Absolutely! My experience at CTTC was extremely valuable and prepared me very well for my current position. My internship at CTTC further strengthened my interest in tech transfer and taught me professional knowledge and skills that I can directly utilize in my current job. The staff at CTTC are super knowledgeable and friendly. They not only guided me through my internship projects, but also offered valuable career advice as great mentors. I also had the opportunity to see other aspects and daily work activities of tech transfer beyond my own projects, which was eye-opening and helped me understand the big picture. The office is very open and supportive. The experience itself is lots of fun too! In short, my CTTC internship was essential in preparing me for my current position and shaping my career. I am so glad and grateful that I had the opportunity to intern at CTTC.
3. What inspired you to move from the lab to technology transfer?
I love science and believe we can improve patients' lives through scientific discoveries. While doing basic science at the bench is vitally important, I wanted to use my scientific training to contribute more directly to the translation of science into products to help patients. Technology transfer is the perfect blend of science, business, and law. As tech transfer professionals, we are constantly standing at the forefront of new discoveries and advancing a variety of exciting technologies. The sheer fulfillment that my efforts contribute to a better future for the patients, despite being a tiny drop in the ocean, motivates me and makes me love my job every day.
4. What are your goals for the next 5, 10 years?
I would like to continue the momentum and constantly grow professionally to make more contributions to bring science from the bench to bedside.
5. What advice would you give current or prospective graduate students as they explore careers outside of the lab?
Actively prepare yourself for transferrable skills beyond the bench. Fully explore the resources and opportunities that Vanderbilt has to offer. Vanderbilt's BRET office does a great job in helping students explore career options, so make sure to grasp the many learning opportunities. Doing an internship is also a great way to transition from academia to other career options. Do some work to identify your passion, and work diligently to fulfill your dream!
Wenyue interned with CTTC from January 2013 - December 2013. She earned a Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry from Vanderbilt in 2013.