My Path From The Clinic, To Research, To Biotech Leadership

By Minetta Liu, M.D.

Pursuing a clinical career in breast medical oncology seemed like a natural fit for someone with a background in molecular biology who treasures direct interaction with patients and their families. However, I quickly became dissatisfied with the standard of care — specifically, with the medical community’s approach to detecting, monitoring, and treating cancer. So, I opted for an academic practice to focus on translational cancer research. After all, physicians dedicate themselves to improving patients’ lives. Scientific discovery provides the knowledge and tools to achieve that goal, with cancer arguably being the area of greatest need.