Meet the maker: EPM talks to Jamie Weishaar

In this instalment to our human interest series, we speak to the new business development executive to the North American clinical sales team of PCI Clinical Services, Jamie Weishaar.

1. Could you briefly describe yourself?

Born and raised in the Midwest (Topeka, Kansas, USA) — I left after college and have lived a semi-nomadic life between the Midwest, Pacific Northwest and California. I’ve been in the Portland, or metropolitan area for the past eight years, which is the longest I’ve lived in one place as an adult. I really enjoy the Pacific Northwest, being in the outdoors with my family and being able to travel often.

2. Please describe your average day in five words.

No two days are alike

3. At what point did you decide to be involved in the pharma market?

I was a water quality research chemist in Colorado and moved back to Kansas after my daughter was born to be closer to family. Jobs in water quality were scarce and there was an opportunity to leave the lab and move into contract pharma on the business side, so I took a chance.

4. What has been your biggest achievement?

The relationships I’ve been able to develop throughout my life (both personally and professionally). I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am if it wasn’t for the kindness and support of others.

5. What would you say is your worst trait?

Toss-up between my sweet-tooth and my eye-sight, although I think many people know me for my red glasses more than anything.

6. What do you love about your job?

Getting to travel and stay connected with all of the amazingly talented people that are in our industry — I like the idea that I can help (even in a small way) assist scientists bring new medicines to people and help improve their lives.

7. If anything, what would you change about your job?

Not much, if anything it would probably revolve around some of the joys of travel…

8. If you weren’t in the pharma industry what job would you like to do?

I do miss having hikes into the mountains to collect water samples as part of my job description, although my original grad school dream was to be a small-college university professor. That still has some romantic appeal at times.

9. What challenges do you foresee being important over the next 10 years?

How do we reward innovators while making their inventions available to the people who need them most (risk/reward vs cost).

10. In your opinion, what will offer the biggest opportunities in the future?

I think personalised medicine is really interesting and has a lot of opportunities as we continue to learn more about how our bodies function as a whole. The supply chain and cost challenges around personalised technologies are fascinating problems I’m convinced someone will solve.