Judy Lytle
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/volunteering
I grew in a suburb of Philadelphia, and went to Ursinus College, a liberal arts school with a great science/pre-med program. I participated in undergraduate research in Neuroscience, and also worked part-time at a small pharmaceutical company washing glassware, making buffers, and eventually working in the cell culture and molecular biology labs doing routine assays. After undergrad, I took a year off to decide whether the best fit for me was graduate school or medical school, and worked as a lab manager in a cellular neuroscience lab investigating the neuronal synapse. My boss was a young professor with the largest science grant the college had seen, and she was one of the best mentors I have had. I ended up choosing graduate school, and pursued a PhD in Neuroscience at Georgetown University Medical Center. I split my time between a spinal cord injury lab at Georgetown and a neurodevelopment lab at Children’s National Research Institute in Washington DC, and was fortunate enough to be awarded a research grant from the NIH for my work.
I realized that there were a lot of options other than bench science, and ended up pursuing a Science and Technology Policy Fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in National Defense and Global Security. I found a good fit in the US Department of Defense (DoD), where my job was to set up and manage biomedical research programs for the US Navy and Marine Corps. I ended up spending seven years supporting the DoD in that capacity. I was picked up by a small start-up company (I was employee number 11) about 18 months into my Fellowship, and was hired as their Science and Technology Division Director. I grew my team from one person (me) to 15 people over three years, and won several government contracts supporting the DoD and the Intelligence Community in Science and Technology Development.
Just last year, I moved from the world of government contracting into philanthropy. I took a position at the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation – Mr. Allen is a co-founder of Microsoft, owner of the Seattle Seahawks, Philanthropist of the Year (2014), and so much more. I am the Medical Research Program Officer at the Foundation, and once again find myself in an exciting position as the Foundation grows.
Along the way, I’ve published reviews, journal articles and a book chapter. I’ve taught undergraduate and graduate level courses. I’ve earned a certification in project management (PMP), and have also engaged in continuing education courses in scientific areas, as well as government acquisition and program management. I’ve received awards for my work at the DoD, and have made it a point to give back to my local community and the scientific community through volunteer efforts. I have served on grant review panels and society admissions committees. Most recently, I was selected for membership in the Global Young Academy, “the voice of young scientists around the world,” where I participate in mentoring activities.
I’ve always been interested in Neuroscience, since I was a child. There was sort of a “perfect storm” of life issues for me that led me down that path. My mother was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was young, which we now know is a pain disorder of the central and peripheral nervous system. I also have an older brother who is cognitively challenged, and operates at the level of a pre-teen, even now in his early 40s. And finally, I grew up with a twin sister, and was deeply interested in human behavior, especially that of twins. So between the physiology of pain, cognition, and behavior, it seems I was always destined for Neuroscience.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am a Program Officer in Bio/Medical Research. Basically, I get to come up with awesome ideas for scientific research programs, do a lot of research on how we can make a real difference or fill gaps in areas of research that are really tough problems in science and medicine, and then go and find the best scientists to help solve those problems. Since coming to the Foundation, that has included things like new football helmet technology to reduce concussion risk, cancer research, Ebola, and Alzheimer’s Disease, to name a few. So day-to-day, I get to come to work, learn about real issues in medical and biomedical research, think up ways to attack the problem, and then work with world class scientists on trying to come up with solutions.
I’ve learned that working in a lab makes you really good at some aspect of some problem, and you can become expert in that area. And there are a lot of great scientists out there who love that type of work. I’m more of a generalist, where I can know a lot about a lot of different areas, and try to draw connections to solve problems at a higher level, without being an expert in any one area. And to me, that’s a lot of fun.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
My job is in a STEM field – medical research. My degree in Neuroscience has been supremely helpful. Neuroscience is a young field. That means there’s still a lot to learn, which has helped me to remain flexible and to want to learn new things. My experience in the lab, and the knowledge I gained from earning my degree has provided me with a first-hand understanding of all the things that can go wrong in science. It has also provided me with tools that I didn’t quite realize I was gaining at the time. For example, I can take information and apply it to larger problems. I can relay the science to larger audiences, and translate the science into English for non-scientists. I can teach. I can write. I can work in teams or independently. These are all useful, real-world skills that I picked up during my training.
More specifically, I have always maintained a foot-hold in the Neurosciences. While at the DoD, I worked in areas such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. At the Foundation, I work in concussion, basic neurosciences, and Alzheimer’s disease. My degree has, in fact, had a direct impact on my work in biomedical research management.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
It’s tough being a woman at times. Certain fields and certain workplaces are very biased toward men, even today. A small example – given my age and gender, it has often been assumed in meetings that I am an administrative assistant. I have even been referred to as “young lady” on at least one occasion in a high level meeting. I have, however, been fortunate in having strong female mentors who have helped me break down such barriers.
In my time as the Science and Technology Division Director for a small start-up, I did a lot of interviewing and hiring. Something that I found was consistently true was that women tend to undervalue their own skills and knowledge. Women don’t negotiate for higher salaries or better benefits. Women are often “happy enough” to get the job. It’s disheartening. I would suggest to all women to do a little homework before applying to a job – see what the average salaries and benefits are, and push for a package that you deserve. Along those lines, don’t be afraid to speak up at meetings. Don’t sit in the back row. And find a mentor, man or woman, that you can go to for help or model yourself after.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
Honestly, I love my job. I get to learn about all kinds of research, talk to the brightest minds, and try to solve real problems across lots of fields of research. I get to travel and go to conferences. I get tuition reimbursement – and have in fact, decided to go back to school for another degree. At the moment, I wouldn’t change a thing.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share? 7. What do you define success as?
Balance is so important. I have a wonderful husband, two dogs and cat that I spend a lot of time with. I love to do just about anything athletic (currently I’m engaged in martial arts, I weight-lift, play on an adult softball team, and go cycling with my husband). We love to go camping, white water rafting, zip-lining, you name it. We love to try new things – we just went snow-shoeing for the first time. We love to travel, and have been to Korea, Peru, Hawaii, Canada, and Guatemala in the last few years (not to mention New Mexico and Louisiana), with plans to go to Europe this fall. I also engage in volunteer activities in the community, local and scientific. We go to movies, museums, and support local activities like the Pride Parade. We plan on doing the Seattle-to-Portland bike ride this summer (~200 miles). I’m just starting to write a book, and have decided to enroll in a Master’s Degree program in Regulatory Science.
The secret, I think, is finding a job at a place that has the right philosophy for you. Is it in a geographic area that you find interesting? Is the environment one in which you are expected to be on call 24-7, or is it an environment where family is a priority? Are there opportunities for professional growth (i.e. training or tuition reimbursement)? Is travel a part of the job requirement? Getting a job isn’t enough – you have to be happy with where you’re working and what it might bring to other aspects of your life.
Success, to me, is happiness. I have been fortunate in finding a job that I really like, having a regular nine-to-five job with good benefits, in a great city, and good pay. A colleague once told me that “Money doesn’t buy you happiness, but it gives you options.” To me, extracurricular activities and travel are priorities. My current position allows me the flexibility to pursue those activities that make me happy. It really is all about balance.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Optimistic perseverance. Things aren’t always going to go the way you want them to. A little bit of optimistic perseverance goes a long way.
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I have been very fortunate in having wonderful mentors throughout my adult life. When I was in high school, I had the same math teacher for three years, Sister Gertrude Friel. Sister Gertrude just loved math. She took evening classes in advanced mathematics for fun. She ran the Mathletes team after school. Her love of math was almost contagious. She demonstrated in everyday life what I think some of us strive for our entire careers.
In college, I had a professor who was literally in awe of all things related to the neurosciences, Dr. Jim Sidie. We actually called him “Super Sidie.” He was my first real research mentor. I took every class with him that he taught. His excitement was infectious. And he took me under his wing and guided me through my graduate school selection process. I’m not sure he every really knew how much he did for me.
After college, I worked in the lab of Dr. Becky Kohn. Becky was a young professor with an impressive pedigree. And she is awesome. She hired me to work in her lab while I was considering grad school vs. med school. She gave me some great advice, and pushed me to make the best decision that I could. She also told me that she would only hire me for a year, and then I had to move on to grad or med school – just a little push to make sure I went on with my education.
While in graduate school, I had two advisors. One of them, Dr. Vittorio Gallo, was just amazing. Vittorio had a great perspective. He ran an entire Research Center, with 30 or 40 scientists, and yet found time for each of us. He took a genuine interest in my research, even though I was only a graduate student splitting my time between his lab and an injury lab on another campus. He whole-heartedly supported career-related steps I wanted to take, and really taught me that there is a difference between a leader and a boss.
When I took on the AAAS Fellowship at the DoD, I really lucked out. I was working for U.S. Navy Captain Elizabeth Montcalm-Smith. Liz was not only a PhD, but was a Navy Commander (on her way to Captain) at the time. She supported me in every aspect of my life. She gave me a lot of professional guidance, and yet gave me enough slack to do my job well. She provided support when my mother was pronounced terminal with cancer. She showed me that being female in a male-dominated environment could be advantageous. She showed me that service and teamwork were monumentally important in doing a job well. She showed me that it’s ok to not have all the answers, but that I should know where to find them.
At each stage of my adult life, I have found a mentor. There was never necessarily a formal understanding of “you are my mentor.” There doesn’t need to be. But I’ve found a person to fit that role every time I needed one.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
My mother once told me, “Whatever you want to be – a scientist, a hair-dresser, a maintenance worker – go be it. But be the best at it.”
A piece of advice I’d pass on (and something I’d tell my younger self) – Well, I’d say relax. Sometimes we get so wound up, especially when we’re young, that we miss the forest for the trees. Work hard, get everything you want out of life. But don’t get so upset about the little things (or even the big things) that you end up reacting in a way that you regret. There are lots of things you can’t control. But you can control how you react to them.
I grew in a suburb of Philadelphia, and went to Ursinus College, a liberal arts school with a great science/pre-med program. I participated in undergraduate research in Neuroscience, and also worked part-time at a small pharmaceutical company washing glassware, making buffers, and eventually working in the cell culture and molecular biology labs doing routine assays. After undergrad, I took a year off to decide whether the best fit for me was graduate school or medical school, and worked as a lab manager in a cellular neuroscience lab investigating the neuronal synapse. My boss was a young professor with the largest science grant the college had seen, and she was one of the best mentors I have had. I ended up choosing graduate school, and pursued a PhD in Neuroscience at Georgetown University Medical Center. I split my time between a spinal cord injury lab at Georgetown and a neurodevelopment lab at Children’s National Research Institute in Washington DC, and was fortunate enough to be awarded a research grant from the NIH for my work.
I realized that there were a lot of options other than bench science, and ended up pursuing a Science and Technology Policy Fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in National Defense and Global Security. I found a good fit in the US Department of Defense (DoD), where my job was to set up and manage biomedical research programs for the US Navy and Marine Corps. I ended up spending seven years supporting the DoD in that capacity. I was picked up by a small start-up company (I was employee number 11) about 18 months into my Fellowship, and was hired as their Science and Technology Division Director. I grew my team from one person (me) to 15 people over three years, and won several government contracts supporting the DoD and the Intelligence Community in Science and Technology Development.
Just last year, I moved from the world of government contracting into philanthropy. I took a position at the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation – Mr. Allen is a co-founder of Microsoft, owner of the Seattle Seahawks, Philanthropist of the Year (2014), and so much more. I am the Medical Research Program Officer at the Foundation, and once again find myself in an exciting position as the Foundation grows.
Along the way, I’ve published reviews, journal articles and a book chapter. I’ve taught undergraduate and graduate level courses. I’ve earned a certification in project management (PMP), and have also engaged in continuing education courses in scientific areas, as well as government acquisition and program management. I’ve received awards for my work at the DoD, and have made it a point to give back to my local community and the scientific community through volunteer efforts. I have served on grant review panels and society admissions committees. Most recently, I was selected for membership in the Global Young Academy, “the voice of young scientists around the world,” where I participate in mentoring activities.
I’ve always been interested in Neuroscience, since I was a child. There was sort of a “perfect storm” of life issues for me that led me down that path. My mother was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was young, which we now know is a pain disorder of the central and peripheral nervous system. I also have an older brother who is cognitively challenged, and operates at the level of a pre-teen, even now in his early 40s. And finally, I grew up with a twin sister, and was deeply interested in human behavior, especially that of twins. So between the physiology of pain, cognition, and behavior, it seems I was always destined for Neuroscience.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am a Program Officer in Bio/Medical Research. Basically, I get to come up with awesome ideas for scientific research programs, do a lot of research on how we can make a real difference or fill gaps in areas of research that are really tough problems in science and medicine, and then go and find the best scientists to help solve those problems. Since coming to the Foundation, that has included things like new football helmet technology to reduce concussion risk, cancer research, Ebola, and Alzheimer’s Disease, to name a few. So day-to-day, I get to come to work, learn about real issues in medical and biomedical research, think up ways to attack the problem, and then work with world class scientists on trying to come up with solutions.
I’ve learned that working in a lab makes you really good at some aspect of some problem, and you can become expert in that area. And there are a lot of great scientists out there who love that type of work. I’m more of a generalist, where I can know a lot about a lot of different areas, and try to draw connections to solve problems at a higher level, without being an expert in any one area. And to me, that’s a lot of fun.
3. How does STEM relate to your job? How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
My job is in a STEM field – medical research. My degree in Neuroscience has been supremely helpful. Neuroscience is a young field. That means there’s still a lot to learn, which has helped me to remain flexible and to want to learn new things. My experience in the lab, and the knowledge I gained from earning my degree has provided me with a first-hand understanding of all the things that can go wrong in science. It has also provided me with tools that I didn’t quite realize I was gaining at the time. For example, I can take information and apply it to larger problems. I can relay the science to larger audiences, and translate the science into English for non-scientists. I can teach. I can write. I can work in teams or independently. These are all useful, real-world skills that I picked up during my training.
More specifically, I have always maintained a foot-hold in the Neurosciences. While at the DoD, I worked in areas such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. At the Foundation, I work in concussion, basic neurosciences, and Alzheimer’s disease. My degree has, in fact, had a direct impact on my work in biomedical research management.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
It’s tough being a woman at times. Certain fields and certain workplaces are very biased toward men, even today. A small example – given my age and gender, it has often been assumed in meetings that I am an administrative assistant. I have even been referred to as “young lady” on at least one occasion in a high level meeting. I have, however, been fortunate in having strong female mentors who have helped me break down such barriers.
In my time as the Science and Technology Division Director for a small start-up, I did a lot of interviewing and hiring. Something that I found was consistently true was that women tend to undervalue their own skills and knowledge. Women don’t negotiate for higher salaries or better benefits. Women are often “happy enough” to get the job. It’s disheartening. I would suggest to all women to do a little homework before applying to a job – see what the average salaries and benefits are, and push for a package that you deserve. Along those lines, don’t be afraid to speak up at meetings. Don’t sit in the back row. And find a mentor, man or woman, that you can go to for help or model yourself after.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
Honestly, I love my job. I get to learn about all kinds of research, talk to the brightest minds, and try to solve real problems across lots of fields of research. I get to travel and go to conferences. I get tuition reimbursement – and have in fact, decided to go back to school for another degree. At the moment, I wouldn’t change a thing.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share? 7. What do you define success as?
Balance is so important. I have a wonderful husband, two dogs and cat that I spend a lot of time with. I love to do just about anything athletic (currently I’m engaged in martial arts, I weight-lift, play on an adult softball team, and go cycling with my husband). We love to go camping, white water rafting, zip-lining, you name it. We love to try new things – we just went snow-shoeing for the first time. We love to travel, and have been to Korea, Peru, Hawaii, Canada, and Guatemala in the last few years (not to mention New Mexico and Louisiana), with plans to go to Europe this fall. I also engage in volunteer activities in the community, local and scientific. We go to movies, museums, and support local activities like the Pride Parade. We plan on doing the Seattle-to-Portland bike ride this summer (~200 miles). I’m just starting to write a book, and have decided to enroll in a Master’s Degree program in Regulatory Science.
The secret, I think, is finding a job at a place that has the right philosophy for you. Is it in a geographic area that you find interesting? Is the environment one in which you are expected to be on call 24-7, or is it an environment where family is a priority? Are there opportunities for professional growth (i.e. training or tuition reimbursement)? Is travel a part of the job requirement? Getting a job isn’t enough – you have to be happy with where you’re working and what it might bring to other aspects of your life.
Success, to me, is happiness. I have been fortunate in finding a job that I really like, having a regular nine-to-five job with good benefits, in a great city, and good pay. A colleague once told me that “Money doesn’t buy you happiness, but it gives you options.” To me, extracurricular activities and travel are priorities. My current position allows me the flexibility to pursue those activities that make me happy. It really is all about balance.
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Optimistic perseverance. Things aren’t always going to go the way you want them to. A little bit of optimistic perseverance goes a long way.
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I have been very fortunate in having wonderful mentors throughout my adult life. When I was in high school, I had the same math teacher for three years, Sister Gertrude Friel. Sister Gertrude just loved math. She took evening classes in advanced mathematics for fun. She ran the Mathletes team after school. Her love of math was almost contagious. She demonstrated in everyday life what I think some of us strive for our entire careers.
In college, I had a professor who was literally in awe of all things related to the neurosciences, Dr. Jim Sidie. We actually called him “Super Sidie.” He was my first real research mentor. I took every class with him that he taught. His excitement was infectious. And he took me under his wing and guided me through my graduate school selection process. I’m not sure he every really knew how much he did for me.
After college, I worked in the lab of Dr. Becky Kohn. Becky was a young professor with an impressive pedigree. And she is awesome. She hired me to work in her lab while I was considering grad school vs. med school. She gave me some great advice, and pushed me to make the best decision that I could. She also told me that she would only hire me for a year, and then I had to move on to grad or med school – just a little push to make sure I went on with my education.
While in graduate school, I had two advisors. One of them, Dr. Vittorio Gallo, was just amazing. Vittorio had a great perspective. He ran an entire Research Center, with 30 or 40 scientists, and yet found time for each of us. He took a genuine interest in my research, even though I was only a graduate student splitting my time between his lab and an injury lab on another campus. He whole-heartedly supported career-related steps I wanted to take, and really taught me that there is a difference between a leader and a boss.
When I took on the AAAS Fellowship at the DoD, I really lucked out. I was working for U.S. Navy Captain Elizabeth Montcalm-Smith. Liz was not only a PhD, but was a Navy Commander (on her way to Captain) at the time. She supported me in every aspect of my life. She gave me a lot of professional guidance, and yet gave me enough slack to do my job well. She provided support when my mother was pronounced terminal with cancer. She showed me that being female in a male-dominated environment could be advantageous. She showed me that service and teamwork were monumentally important in doing a job well. She showed me that it’s ok to not have all the answers, but that I should know where to find them.
At each stage of my adult life, I have found a mentor. There was never necessarily a formal understanding of “you are my mentor.” There doesn’t need to be. But I’ve found a person to fit that role every time I needed one.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
My mother once told me, “Whatever you want to be – a scientist, a hair-dresser, a maintenance worker – go be it. But be the best at it.”
A piece of advice I’d pass on (and something I’d tell my younger self) – Well, I’d say relax. Sometimes we get so wound up, especially when we’re young, that we miss the forest for the trees. Work hard, get everything you want out of life. But don’t get so upset about the little things (or even the big things) that you end up reacting in a way that you regret. There are lots of things you can’t control. But you can control how you react to them.