Women's History Month Erin Henitz Vice President, Head of Translational & Quantitative Science Data Management and Clinical Biomarker Operations Genmab Why did you pursue a career in science? From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career that helped people. Through high school and early in college, I was certain I would be a physical therapist. I was fortunate to be accepted into an internship with a pharmaceutical company in college and am very grateful for that opportunity as it gave me experience to both the laboratory, and to clinical research. I knew this was where I was meant to spend my career and have since made it one of my missions in life to help advance development of new therapies for patients living with cancer. What are you most proud of in your career? Being part of any new drug submission is an incredible experience. I have had the pleasure of being on the team for five different submissions and subsequent approvals across different oncology indications and they are experiences that I will remember forever. Each submission is unique and being able to take learnings forward into the next program helps to ensure readiness and hopefully a successful approval! Who is a woman/mentor you admire? Michelle Obama has been a personal role model of mine for quite some time given her authenticity and relatability. She has prioritized her family over her professional responsibilities, which I admire as a fellow working mother. She advocates for women’s rights and empowerment of young girls speaking out on important issues like gender equality, work-life balance, and the importance of education for women, which are all important to acknowledge and strive for. And perhaps most of all, she maintains dignity and grace under the fiercest pressure, allowing her to rise above any negativity to remain focused on her goals and values. What advice do you have for women who are entering the field of science? Please don’t ever stop believing in yourself. The field of science has many paths one can take and while life may not lead you down the path you envisioned walking, it may intersect with a path even more incredible than you ever dreamed. Dedicate yourself fully, invest time in cultivating meaningful connections, and always embody humility and kindness.
