Career Corner: Alternatives to Academia
Written by Maria Blumenkrantz
Before transitioning into alliance management, Dr. Harden earned her PhD in Genetics, Molecular and Developmental Biology at Cornell University, where she conducted research in Dr. Kathleen Whitlock’s lab. Her doctoral work focused on genetic imprinting in the developing zebrafish olfactory system and demonstrated that zebrafish can form olfactory memories of odors in their environment. Using microarray analysis, she further showed that exposure to a specific odorant triggered changes in gene expression, including the upregulation of a gene that induced a phenotypic change in nasal tissue. In parallel, Dr. Harden employed fluorescent microscopy to perform molecular and visual mapping of olfactory system development in zebrafish.
After completing her PhD, Dr. Harden remained at Cornell for several months to gain additional experience in mouse genetic screening. She then moved into a postdoctoral role at a startup contract research organization (CRO). Dr. Harden credits her background in zebrafish and developmental biology as key factors that enabled her transition into industry, as the startup leveraged zebrafish models for compound testing on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. Eventually, Dr. Harden was promoted to a Scientist role and began developing toxicology assays to evaluate the teratogenic effects of drug candidates. She described zebrafish as an ideal model for screening birth defects and developmental abnormalities, as they enable assessment of both overall growth and the development of specific tissues such as the brain, fin (a proxy for limbs), and heart.
When the startup ultimately folded, Dr. Harden found herself at a pivotal career crossroads: return to the lab or pursue a new path beyond traditional research. She chose the latter, accepting a position as an External Project Manager at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The Broad was seeking someone with a doctoral degree, strong scientific training, and industry experience, and Dr. Harden’s skillset was an ideal fit. Her expertise in microarray technologies proved especially valuable, as she managed a large consortium project centered on these platforms. Over time, she became the primary program manager for multiple clinical projects and hospital programs, with responsibilities spanning scientific data review, proposal development, sample management, financial tracking, and relationship management with partners ranging from large consortia to individual laboratories.
Dr. Harden spent 12 years at the Broad, during which both the institute and her role evolved significantly. As the Broad transitioned from microarray-based approaches to next-generation sequencing technologies, Dr. Harden moved into the role of Senior Project Scientist and Clinical Technical Supervisor. In this capacity, she managed a wide range of genomics projects (e.g., whole genome, exome, RNA Seq, CLIA-certified assays, and more) and oversaw technical data return for clinical reports used in patient care. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Harden played a critical role on the core team that established the Broad’s COVID testing assay, coordinating contracts, financials, and sample delivery logistics. While her career at the Broad primarily focused on project and program management, she increasingly became involved in alliance management. Her final role at the institute, Associate Director of Clinical Strategy and Alliances, solidified her interest in using strategic relationships to solve complex challenges and ultimately inspired her to seek similar opportunities in a corporate setting.
In May 2022, Dr. Harden took a leap of faith and joined Illumina, the world’s largest genome sequencing company, where she now serves as Associate Director of Alliances. This role allowed her to combine her enthusiasm for next-generation sequencing technologies with her desire to experience corporate culture firsthand. At Illumina, Dr. Harden is responsible for managing and growing strategic partnerships with large pharmaceutical companies. To do this, she works closely with teams across business development, finance, assay development, regulatory affairs, and legal. When negotiating deals, Dr. Harden prioritizes understanding partner needs and delivering mutual value, striving to create a “win-win” environment in which both organizations achieve outcomes that would not be possible independently.
To succeed in alliance management, Dr. Harden emphasized the importance of a strong scientific foundation and the ability to learn quickly. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, as the role involves frequent presentations and interactions with executive leadership. Equally important is learning the “language” of big pharma. Strong organizational skills and the ability to build effective teams support what Dr. Harden described as “influencing without authority” - guiding both internal and external teams toward shared scientific and financial milestones. She also highlighted the importance of anticipating risks and addressing challenges before they arise, noting that an alliance manager’s job is to keep the train on its tracks and the program moving forward.
Dr. Harden encourages trainees interested in alliance management to gradually gain experience away from the bench, particularly through team or project management roles. She recommends starting small, such as leading a project within one’s lab or organizing departmental initiatives and then expanding to leadership opportunities beyond one’s immediate group. This broader experience is especially valuable, as alliance management requires coordination across both internal teams and external partners. Formal credentials, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Alliance Management (CA-AM) certifications, as well as an MBA, can also be beneficial. While Dr. Harden pursued additional training through the PMP and CA-AM certifications, she underscored the enduring value of her PhD. Her doctoral training enables her to quickly assess project needs, communicate effectively with scientists in pharma, and approach complex problems with rigor. Ultimately, as an alliance manager, Dr. Harden contributes to scientific progress by facilitating collaboration - aligning teams, clarifying shared goals, and guiding execution to turn partnerships into impactful outcomes.