In this episode, Dr. Constanza Kurman Petrozzelli, Senior Manager of US Medical Myeloid at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), shared her inspiring career journey in life sciences. With over a decade of experience spanning contract research organizations (CROs) and pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Kurman Petrozzelli is a passionate advocate for patient diversity in clinical trials and advancing health equity.

A Career Inspired by Loss

Dr. Kurman Petrozzelli's path was shaped by a personal loss—her grandfather's death from multiple myeloma. During her final year of high school, this event sparked her interest in medicine and her lifelong dedication to improving patient outcomes. Though initially trained as a physician, she transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, where she discovered new ways to impact patient care. Now, she focuses on myeloid diseases, addressing educational gaps in the medical community, and advocating for diversity in clinical trials.

Championing Diversity in Clinical Trials

One of Dr. Kurman Petrozzelli's key roles at BMS involves leading initiatives that boost the participation of underrepresented populations in clinical trials. Her work with the Organization for Latino Achievement (OLA) focuses on involving Latino investigators and patients in research. Workshops that bring investigators together have been instrumental in fostering a collaborative environment and promoting diversity in trials. What started with Latino communities has expanded to include other minority groups, such as the Asian population, reflecting broader efforts within the industry.

"We are working towards treatments that represent the real population," Dr. Kurman Petrozzelli said, emphasizing the need to empower investigators and provide tools to engage diverse populations.

Global Perspectives on Clinical Research

Having started her career in Argentina before moving to the U.S., Dr. Kurman Petrozzelli offers a unique global perspective. In the podcast, she compared the resource constraints faced by professionals in Latin America with the more specialized roles and infrastructure available in the U.S.

Advocacy for Women in Science

Dr. Kurman Petrozzelli is a strong advocate for gender equity in science. She believes that women must be better represented both as patients and professionals in clinical trials. Ensuring diverse representation in research benefits everyone by developing treatments tailored to the entire population. Her advocacy also extends to supporting women in the workforce, emphasizing the importance of fostering environments where women feel valued and supported.

Dr. Constanza Kurman Petrozzelli's work at Bristol Myers Squibb exemplifies how passion, creativity, and advocacy can drive progress in the life sciences. Through her leadership in increasing diversity in clinical trials and her commitment to health equity, she is helping shape the future of medical research.

About Life Sciences - In Focus

Life Sciences - In Focus Podcast by Visatatec, a fascinating conversation with global life sciences experts. The show has multiple hosts and topics Follow Life Sciences - In Focus on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on YouTube and Apple podcasts. Life Sciences - In Focus is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about the podcast, please visit https://vistatec.com/life-sciences-division.

About Vistatec

We have been helping some of the world’s most iconic brands to optimize their global commercial potential since 1997. Vistatec is one of the world’s leading global content solutions providers. HQ in Dublin, Ireland, with offices in Mountain View, California, USA. To learn more about Vistatec, please visit https://www.vistatec.com

Social Media:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/vistatec-life-sciences