My Life Be Like...

Kimberly Baker - Director of Strategic Marketing

Kimberly Baker grew up in New Jersey with a lot of opportunities in front of her, until one lifechanging day when she got to shadow a neonatologist. At only 11 years old, Kim basically knew she wanted to be in the healthcare space in some capacity. She graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology  with her BS in Engineering, after doing a 5 year program that also incorporated co-op programs and graduate level certificates.  The co-op portion of her collegiate career played a pivotal role as Kim knew before even finishing her degree that she would be shifting in product marketing and strategy when finishing college.  Hear Kim talk about her journey in the product marketing space between established companies doing global scale product launches to start-ups focusing on the domestic market in orthopedics, women's health, and now cardiology.  Her journey wasn't the most linear, but Kim is an incredible example of following her passions and using her previous experiences to guide her future ones!

Chirayu Baxi, M.D. - Internal Medicine Hospitalist

Chirayu Baxi grew up with a physician as a father and dentist as a mother, so he knew from an early age that helping people in the healthcare space was something he wanted to do long-term. He graduated from the Loyola University Chicago with her Bachelors of Science in Biology in 2009 and completed his MD from St. Georges University School of Medicine in 2015.  Chirayu initially went to college thinking she was going to pursue pharmacy as a career path, but then he decided to switch his focus to medicine after his sophomore year. Making the decision late in his collegiate career would then have a major impact on the path he would inevitably end up taking to get to his current position.  Listen to Chirayu talk about his path from Chicago to Greneda to New York City and then back to Chicago. What a full-circle ride he's been on, but he would not have had it any other way.  If you think people just end growing up to be doctors and it's a simple path, listen to this episode!

Elizabeth Ewen, PhD - Medical Science Liaison

Liz Ewen was just a middle school student when she first came across genetics in her journey, reading a book on Cystic Fibrosis that would basically change her life. That book and her classroom learnings on Punnett squares basically set her on a course for her entire career. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with her Bachelors of Science in Genetics in 2000 and completed her PhD in Molecular Biology from Boston University in 2010.  Liz initially went to college thinking she was going to pursue physical therapy as a career path, but then genetics pulled her back in. So much so that she completed her PhD after seven years of grad school and mice models.  Hear as Liz recounts her incredible journey from a child in New Jersey to becoming a PhD scientist and now a medical science liaison.  If you like lab science and/or genetics or ever had an interest in a PhD... this is an episode for you!

Nav Iyengar - Product Lifecycle Consultant

Nav Iyengar came to the United States, from India, before he was 5 years old. Starting his life growing up in Michigan and Wisconsin, Nav initially thought he would grow up to be a doctor. After enjoying Debate in high school, he then thought that lawyer was the right profession. Neither ended up being the path he'd take... but his journey has worked out incredibly anyway!  He graduated from Loyola University Chicago with his BA in Finance in 2015.   Starting his story in the currency trading space, Nav traversed numerous industries and positions as he took a winding road across the spectrum of opportunities to get to where he is today. After getting through the pandemic and teaching himself numerous skills, Nav combines his knowledge of IT and passion to work with people in his role in PLM.  Listen to Nav recount all of the different stops he's taken along his journey and how unique every experience has been along the way.  What a story and inspiration for us all.

Allison Edwards, DVM - Veterinarian

Allison Edwards grew up and wanted to be a veterinarian. She knew at a young age that she loved animals and thought that being a veterinarian was the right job for her. Now, 25 years later... she's doing just that! She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with her BS in Animal Science and then went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee.  Unlike many other people that have had journeys with numerous twists, turns, and stops... Allison has a pretty straightforward story. She wanted to be a veterinarian and worked as hard she possibly could to get there. Still, the road wasn't exactly easy.  Listen to Allison tell her story about how difficult it was to get into vet school, the types of experiences she had while there, and what life is like as a veterinarian in a small suburban Nashville town!  Her story is an inspiration to all!