Nadine Piekarski, an embryologist at The Fertility Center at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), describes her experience transitioning out of academia and how she uses skills from her PhD training in an IVF clinic.

In the Decoding Life series, we talk to geneticists with diverse career paths, tracing the many directions possible after research training. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Career Scientist Career Development Subcommittee.

What has influenced your career decisions?

I was interested in biology, and it came easily to me. Starting from my undergraduate research, I followed a straight path of academia; everything seemed to fall into place. I am from Germany and did my diploma and PhD there at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, focusing on embryology, development, and evolution in Professor Lennart Olsson’s lab. I was developing a system for embryonic fate mapping in a type of salamander called axolotl. Toward the end of my PhD I presented at a conference and was offered a postdoc to continue my research at Harvard in the lab of Professor James Hanken. I had always thought I would become an academic, but during my postdoc I started questioning that path, and the idea of pursuing a different career hit me really hard. Academia can be a stressful and unsteady lifestyle. I felt like I had an open-ended position and did not know where I was going to be in the future. I could not imagine doing this for my entire life. I was also driven by wanting to do something that felt more personally meaningful. Now as an embryologist, I am using similar skills as in my PhD to help families have babies. I make families happy and I get these wonderful, heart-warming thank you cards!

Nadine with her son Felis.

How did you decide on a career in embryology?

It was difficult figuring out what I wanted to do. I felt like my training didn’t explain alternatives to academia, and there wasn’t a straightforward way to get there. The main thing I struggled with was evaluating what skills from my PhD were useful for a job. I realized that if I can do micro-surgeries on salamander embryos, I can probably do it on human embryos. Embryology is a pretty unusual career and you need luck and good connections to get in. Another difficulty was that the entry level for embryology positions is a Bachelor’s degree, and I appeared to be overqualified. I needed to be extra convincing that I really wanted to do this job. Finally, about nine months after my postdoc I was fortunate to get the right contact in an IVF clinic to get my first job.

How have mentors been helpful in transitioning to a new career?

I think that friends, and especially my husband, have been more helpful than official mentors. I have a really good circle of friends; a lot of them are academics, but many have careers in other fields. We help each other, and I am able to ask personal questions about my career and discuss it with them easily. We also provide emotional and mental support. I am relatively new to the field of IVF, so currently I am trying to learn as much as possible from my colleagues. Some of them are pioneers in the field who have been doing IVF since almost the beginning in 1977.

What skills are valuable for this career?

You need the ability to be extremely focused and very dependable, and you definitely need to have very calm and steady hands. Because all of the procedures involve teamwork, it is important to be able to work with people in a team setting. As new techniques and methods are developed, the field can change quickly. For example, many labs had to hire and train people recently to accommodate increases in requests for embryo biopsies and genetic screening of embryos. If you have a PhD, you can qualify to become a High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD), which creates additional career opportunities as a lab director in all kinds of clinical labs.

What does a normal day look like?

Human Embryo Development and ICSI. Photo courtesy of Nadine.

In a normal day, lab work starts at 7 am. First in the morning is grading embryos, egg retrieval from patients, and sperm preparation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), all in parallel. Then there are many more different procedures all throughout the day, such as embryo transfers, thawing embryos, freezing embryos, embryo biopsies, and semen analysis. The procedures follow a strict schedule that is tied in with the appointments of the patients. Depending on the volume it can get quite stressful, and you have to stay calm and focused to get everything done in a timely manner.

How do your experiences in your current position compare to the previous positions you held?

As a graduate student or postdoc, I took work home all the time, and there was no downtime. Or I would take downtime and feel guilty. With my current job, I do my work in the lab and then come home and do not have to worry about it. It is still stressful and a lot of work—but in a different way. It is more stressful with respect to responsibilities, and that you cannot make any mistakes. You have to be highly concentrated and very dependable. It’s very different from what I did before, where if an experiment did not work, I could just do it again next week. That will not work now.

I never anticipated having a position in a hospital, but I feel very good here. Often, I talk to other people about my work, and sometimes they say, ‘I had a baby with IVF, thank you so much for what you are doing.’ It is a very rewarding career and makes me very proud and happy to be doing what I’m doing.

About the author:

Photo of Caitlin McDonoughCaitlin McDonough is the Co-Chair of the Early Career Scientist Career Development Committee and a PhD Candidate in the Center for Reproductive Evolution at Syracuse University. She endeavors to highlight the varied experiences of scientists and make careers in science accessible to individuals of all identities.

Learn more about the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Leadership Program.

, ,

Graduate student and postdoctoral leaders from the Early Career Scientist Committees of the GSA.

View all posts by Early Career Scientist Committees »

Read more in

  • Collage of 2021 Rosalind Franklin Award recipients

    Where are they now? Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recipients share updates on their research

    Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award applications are open–make sure you submit your application or nomination of a colleague by September 30, 2024.

  • University of Minnesota researchers map genome of the last living wild horse species

    The study, published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, is part of larger conservation efforts to save Przewalski’s horse.

  • Congratulations to the Spring 2024 DeLill Nasser Awardees!

    GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Spring 2024! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…

  • Carolyn Damilola headshot

    Carolyn Damilola: an NFS Rising Scientist on a lifelong quest to learn more

    Carolyn Damilola is an NFS Rising Scientist from Nigeria doing respiratory system research and paving the way for scientists from underrepresented communities through mentorship.

  • Text over a blue background image: Apply for up to $2,000 for your project from the Starter Culture Microgrant Program.

    What does a good microgrant proposal look like?

    Members of the Microgrant Review Committee share their tips for a successful proposal.

  • A blurred image of a human face is shown against a dark background.

    The first piece of the facial recognition puzzle

    New research in GENETICS gives a first peek at the molecular pathway involved in recognizing faces.

  • New Senior Editor Amy MacQueen joins GENETICS

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Genome Integrity and Transmission section. We’re excited to welcome Amy MacQueen to the editorial team.

  • Close up of an adult zebrafish with blue and white stripes in an aquarium with red lighting.

    Block party on the zebrafish sex chromosome

    Research in G3 identifies a gene regulatory block of the zebrafish genome responsible for overseeing the maternal-to-zygotic-transition.

  • Lemna Minor, the common duckweed

    Unraveling the mysteries of duckweed: epigenetic insights from Spirodela polyrhiza

    Research published in G3 offers insight into the impact of DNA methylation on clonal propagation in asexually reproducing plants.

  • Luciano Marraffini headshot

    A microbiologist’s quest to understand CRISPR in bacterial self-defense

    2024 Genetics Society of America Medal recipient Luciano Marraffini determined how CRISPR-Cas systems destroy genetic targets with precision, paving the way for gene editing technology development.

  • Elaine Ostrander headshot

    Unlocking mysteries of trait and disease heritability in dogs

    2024 Edward Novitski Prize recipient Elaine Ostrander, a pioneer of the domestic dog model, discovered numerous genes affecting dog size, morphology, behavior, and disease susceptibility—many of which have relevance in humans.

  • NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS Grant to Support Culture Change in Genetics

    GSA and collaborators Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue and Reclaiming STEM Institute launch NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS project to support culture change in genetics 

    We are thrilled to announce that the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is collaborating with the Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED) based in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and the Reclaiming STEM Institute (RSI) on a Leading Culture Change Through Professional Societies of Biology (BIO-LEAPS) grant from the U.S. National Science…

  • Daman Saluja: Navigating Science and Policy in India

    In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Care­er Scientist…

  • Deborah Andrew headshot

    A fly geneticist’s journey into discovering rules of organ development

    2024 George W. Beadle Award recipient Deborah Andrew discovered new genes and pathways in Drosophila salivary gland organogenesis. Now, her work can help optimize cell secretion in therapeutic applications and fight malaria.

  • Małgorzata Gazda's headshot

    Małgorzata Gazda: How receiving the DeLill Nasser Award helped her land her dream job

    Have you ever experienced an event that changes the course of your life, or in this case, your career? Małgorzata (Gosia) Gazda is Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal and in 2022, she received the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics, which she used to attend and present at the 2022 Population,…

  • Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Statistical Genetics and Genomics section. We’re excited to welcome Hongyu Zhao to the editorial team.

  • Julio Molina Pineda at TAGC 2024

    GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024 

    “At any career stage, the GSA membership is an amazing investment for any genetics professional!” Julio Molina Pineda is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Research Assistant at the University of Arkansas, and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the Lewis Lab. In 2023, Julio was awarded the DeLill Nasser Award for…

  • Ed Grell at his dissecting microscope using ether to anesthetize his flies.

    In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation

    Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…

  • Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!

    We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…

  • Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024

    You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…

  • Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience 

    A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…

  • TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners

    GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024.  Don’t miss the opportunity…

  • Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards

    In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…

  • Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research

    In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…

  • New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026

    We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Olufemi Osonowo

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Olufemi Adekunle OsonowoCareer Development SubcommitteeDalhousie University Research Interest Metabolomics and genomics are two distinct but complimentary approaches that offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of complex traits, such…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Hector Mendoza

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Hector MendozaCommunication and Outreach SubcommitteeUniversity of Michigan Research Interest My research goals converge around the evolution of sexual reproduction. During my doctoral program, I investigated mitochondrial inheritance, a mechanism…

  • Paths to Science Policy with Daniel Pomeroy

    In this interview, we sat down with Daniel Pomeroy. Daniel is currently the Executive Director of the Scientific Policy Initiative at Harvard. He has a wide history of science policy involvement. We discussed his journey into the science policy space and also resources for early career scientists interested in science policy. Would you provide a…