Andrew Foster, PhD
Medical Advisor
*The views and opinions expressed in this profile are those of the professional and do not necessarily reflect the official policies of their employer.
Tell us about your role
Medical Advisors are scientific experts that play a key role in presenting medical information, coordinating advisory boards, and assembling strategic plans for products. In addition, they inform physicians on a therapeutic's origin, research activities, product development, and safety. They also gather insight from the physicians that will ultimately guide company strategy.
What does a typical day look like?
Andrew is currently a Medical Advisor at AstraZeneca. In 2018, he earned his PhD at the University of Guelph in Cardiorespiratory Physiology.
Every day is different but I’m often on the road travelling between meetings. I would say that about two-thirds of my work is heavily collaborative, where I act as a scientific resource with internal cross-functional business partners and external stakeholders such as healthcare providers, medical societies, and researchers.
The other third I call ‘project work’ whereby we contribute to medical education programs, research collaborations, regulatory submissions, and market access initiatives to name a few.
What are some of the key skills required for the role?
There is an entrepreneurial sense to being an MSL because you’re always on the cutting edge of science and constantly challenging the status quo.
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With my role, I’m on my own a lot. Therefore, it’s critical for me to manage my time efficiently. Additionally, the priority of my objectives can change pretty quickly so the ability to manage numerous objectives at once is key. High emotional intelligence goes a long way too.
I regularly meet with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and I need to be able to cultivate relationships (ie read unwritten cues and body language) before I get into deeper discussions about data.
How has graduate school influenced your career path?
I enjoyed my area of research during my PhD and this role has been a great way to continue in the area. Throughout graduate school, I loved developing peer-to-peer relationships at conferences, and this role allows me to regularly meet with key stakeholders in the field.
I’m continually learning from medical experts and working to understand the therapeutic area better so that we can address barriers or gaps in the systems of care.
What advice do you have for students looking to enter the field?
Explore your options early and often through graduate school. I met with numerous professionals to learn more about the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role, which is often seen as a stepping stone for the Medical Advisor role. At conferences, head to the medical booths, learn about the roles within these companies, and create contacts.
This is how you can show you’re a people person – a key for becoming an MSL. Also, think of your thesis examiners. They’re a great resource to leverage for gaining therapeutic research exposure.
Describe your work-life balance
I think work/life balance can be a challenge for people in almost any job and is something everyone strives to achieve. Like any role, achieving a work-life balance is linked to one's ability to prioritize and use their time efficiently.
However, the beauty of travelling with work is that you build your own schedule and you have the freedom to manage your time and how you can be most effective in the role. The role often expands outside the typical 9-5 but we have the flexibility to ensure our schedules remain manageable. Work-life balance is achievable; you just have to prioritize it.
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