To promote professional development and showcase different career paths, the HLI Trainee Association (TAHLI) organizes the Careers Beyond the Bench Series. Most recently, TAHLI hosted Dr. Jenny Jagers and Dr. Agnieszka (Aga) Biala, two medical science liaisons (MSLs) from AstraZeneca and Merck Canada, for a panel discussion on their careers and working off-the-bench in the pharmaceutical industry.

During a two-hour session, Drs. Jagers and Biala described their professional interests and motivation to be part of the growing field of medical affairs. As MSLs, they work to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with healthcare providers and medical experts within a particular disease area. They support these providers by providing new data on company products (i.e. pharmaceuticals) being tested for different conditions, including information about prescribed use, side effects and drug interactions. In essence, MSLs synthesize high-level summaries of data from scientific and clinical sources to help ensure that their company’s products are adopted and used effectively. Healthcare providers can use this information for education and clinical decision-making. With a desire to stay abreast of new products and clinical research while making a real-world impact, Drs. Jagers and Biala gave the trainees and staff in attendance a glimpse into the life of an MSL.
According to Dr. Danielle Pinheiro-Muller, a research coordinator for the SAVE-BC project: “The session provided a crystal-clear view of the operational dynamics within these leading companies and the diverse career trajectories available … We had the chance to learn more about the day-to-day responsibilities of MSLs, career stability, growth opportunities, salary ranges, and the nature of a typical workday. Aga Biala from Merck Canada emphasized the critical role of perseverance in securing an MSL position, and the benefits of having great interview and presentation skills. Jenny Jagers from AstraZeneca shared her passion for integrating scientific knowledge into daily tasks and highlighted the significance of collaboration with colleagues. The event provided not only a thorough understanding of the role but also inspiration for anyone looking to navigate the complex and exciting world of pharmaceutical sciences.” According to Asma Tanveer, a research assistant in Dr. Dorscheid’s group: “I gained a comprehensive understanding of the scope of the MSL role … MSLs serve as a vital link between the company and the medical community … During product launches, MSLs are instrumental in educating the medical community about the benefits and appropriate usage of new products, facilitating their successful integration into clinical practice.”
Dr. Jagers is a Medical Science Liaison at AstraZeneca. A lifelong researcher and educator, she received her Master’s degree in Biology and PhD in Critical Care Medicine at the University of Calgary and remains passionate about health education, knowledge translation and medical advancement, particularly in the areas of COPD and other respiratory diseases/injuries.
Dr. Biala is a Medical Science Liaison at Merck Canada. She obtained her Master’s degree in Pharmacy from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland. Fascinated by cardiovascular pharmacology (and Scandinavia), Dr. Biala pursued a PhD program at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Her subsequent postdoctoral work was conducted at both the University of Manitoba and the University of British Columbia.