Chat with a Scientist- All About Drug Development & Clinical Trials

The New York Academy of Sciences invites NYC students to a virtual series called Chat with a Scientist, which spotlights the diversity of STEM professionals and their careers, and creates a casual space where youth can engage with and learn from real scientists.

Each Chat with a Scientist event will last for 60 minutes and feature 2 scientists who will have the opportunity to talk about their paths into science, the work they currently do and, most importantly, answer questions directly from participants. Our goal is to provide young people with relatable role models, raise awareness of the breadth of STEM careers, and spark a lifelong love of science.

These events are geared towards NYC middle school students and families, though all are welcome to join.

Who you'll meet:

Jyoti Ramakrishna, MD, MPH

Director, Clinical Research, Pfizer

• Hometown: Boston, MA and New Delhi (India)
• Your current job: I design and run clinical trials in immunological diseases. I’m a Pediatrician and Gastroenterologist by training, and before coming to Pfizer I treated Pediatric patients with stomach problems in a University hospital for over 20 years, taught medical students and residents, and participated in clinical research trials as an Investigator.
• Why you think science is important: I think the human race has made enormous progress in understanding Nature and curing diseases over the years entirely due to science. I have a very practical and logical mind, and I think that if you have high quality data then you can truly understand the world around you. Knowledge and understanding are key to making a positive change in the world around us.
• Where you went to school:  I went to Lady Hardinge Medical College (New Delhi, India) for medical school and to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health for a Master’s in Public Health.
• Surprising fact about yourself:  I like to bike, and pretty much do anything outdoors. Even though I live in Boston, I really don’t like cold weather!

Aarti Sawant, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer

• Hometown: Mumbai, India 
• Your current job: I am a Clinical Pharmacologist supporting the development of new investigational molecules from early to mid-stages of clinical development. In my role I design studies in humans to generate valuable information on what the body does to the drug and what the drug does to the body. I describe human data using available models/equations to project doses and dosing regimens that would be safe and well tolerated and would be projected to be beneficial/efficacious in patients. Such analyses enable our clinical teams and medical monitors to design clinical studies in patients.
• Why you love science: I grew into liking science because it gave me answers to questions that I used to wonder about. I also think I started to like science in middle to high school because my then science teacher always made this subject very interesting and fun.  
• Where you went to school: Mumbai University, India for my Masters program in chemistry and then the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy, for my doctorate in medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy 
• Favorite activities/hobbies outside of work: I like to run (in warm weather only!), practice yoga; I am also an Indian classical dancer and like to volunteer in the community.