1. Medical and Science Writing: No Post-doc Required
Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism
The American Physiological Society
Medical and Science Writing:
No Post-doc Required
Andrea R. Gwosdow, PhD
President
Gwosdow Associates Science Consultants, LLC
Presented on April 6, 2016
At EB 2016
San Diego, CA April 2016

2. Now Hiring PhDs: Post Doc Not Required
The American Physiological Society
This presentation is part of
2016 Trainee Symposium on
Now Hiring PhDs: Post Doc Not Required
Organized by the APS Trainee Advisory Committee
For more information and to listen to other presentations:
the-aps.org/hiring
© 2016 The American Physiological Society
Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (

3. Career Path Education Postdoc First job
B.S. Biology/Environmental Science, Antioch College
M.S. Physiology, University of Florida
Ph.D. Physiology/Endocrinology, University of Florida
Postdoc
John B. Pierce Foundation and Yale University
First job
Research Scientist, Shriners Burns Hospital
and Harvard Medical School

4. Career Path First grant Transition 1 Transition 2
Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and
Harvard Medical School
Transition 1
Research and Co-Director, Massachusetts General
Hospital/Timilty Partnership
Transition 2
Gwosdow Associates Science Consultants

5. Importance of Communicating Our Work
Scientists understand the science
Scientists can accurately explain the relevance
and significance of our work to others
Educates and builds public support for science
Promotes public understanding of science
Encourages informed decision making for policy
and funding

6. Scope of Medical Writing
Non-Regulatory Regulatory
Scientific FDA
Clinical EMA
Educational
Consumer

7. Scientific Writing Scientific Target Companies Abstracts Manuscripts
Review articles
Grants
Meeting summaries
Meeting coverage
Proposals
Posters
Presentations
Target Companies
Medical communication agencies
Medical education providers
Pharmaceutical/biotech/medical device firms
Universities, research scientists
Journal publishers
Medical Associations

8. Clinical Writing Clinical Clinical Studies Meeting coverage
Target Companies
Communication companies
Pharmaceutical/biotech/medical device firms
Clinical research organizations
Government agencies
Medical Associations

9. Educational Writing Audience Materials Target companies
Health professionals (physicians, pharmacists, nurses)
Salespeople
Consumers (patients, public, students)
Target companies
Communications groups
Universities
CME companies
Medical advocacy groups
Government
Hospitals
Materials
Continuing professional education
Manuscripts
Review articles
Training materials
Pamphlets
Press releases
“Disease” materials
Slide kits
Posters
Curriculum
Web content
Newsletters/e-newsletters

10. Consumer/Science Writing
Magazine articles
Press releases
Brochures
Pamphlets
Web materials
Advertising
Patient education
Newsletters/eNewsletters
Target Companies
Healthcare communication companies
PR firms, medical ad agencies, online media groups
Consumer magazines and newspapers
Hospitals/doctors offices
Health plans

11. Regulatory Writing Regulatory New drug applications
Clinical study reports
Protocols
Documentation
Target Companies
Pharmaceutical/biotech firms
Medical device manufacturers
Clinical research organizations

12. Transferable Skills: Science
Communication Skills
Oral
Teaching
Presenting ideas
Public speaking
Writing and Editing
Computer skills
Bench/Clinical Skills
Graphs/Charts
Reading
Drawing
Dealing with data
Data Collection and management
Analyzing data
Interpreting data
Know research skills
Understand medical vocabulary
Scientific method
Problem solver
Self-motivated
Writing
Manuscripts
Abstracts
Posters

13. Transferable Skills: Science
Organizational Skills
Setting priorities
Time management
Project Planning/Management
Leading teams
Developing work plan
Tracking Results
Reporting
Planning
Developing processes
Assigning tasks
Administrative duties
Creating/monitoring budgets

14. Transferable Skills: Interpersonal
Leadership/Management Skills
Motivating
Mentoring, coaching, training
Delegating
Assessing/monitoring performance
Interpersonal Skills
Managing conflict
Mediating, negotiating
Listening
Interviewing, hiring, firing

15. Building a Writing Portfolio
Assess everything you have written; choose the best pieces
Portfolio may vary/be changed based on your target company
Prepare to explain how you met your organization’s goals with each piece
Point out how you could adapt the piece for a different audience
Join scientific organizations and volunteer to do meeting write-ups
Take courses
Use homework assignments as samples
Offer to take on a small assignment pro bono to gain the experience

16. To Learn More American Medical Writers Association www.amwa.org
National Science Writers Association

17. Andrea Gwosdow, PhD andrea@gwosdow.com
The American Physiological Society
Andrea Gwosdow, PhD
Dr. Andrea Gwosdow is President of Gwosdow Associates Science Consultants, a science and medical communications firm that provides medical and science writing services, works with schools on science education, interprets science for non-scientists and provides professional development. She maintains her appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and a Senior Scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital through her involvement in medical education. Andrea is an effective medical writer who has received the top awards from the New England Chapter of the American Medical Writers Association and 2nd place in the 2014 R & D Pharmaceutical Awards for Clinical Writing. Andrea has worked around the world with a variety of organizations to improve their communication and writing skills through hands-on workshops, seminars and presentations.

18. For more information, to listen to other presentations,
The American Physiological Society
For more information, to listen to other presentations,
and for the PowerPoints with active links
and/or other resources
the-aps.org/hiring
For further information, contact APS Education Office