Women in Science - Jasmina Jankicevic from founding organizations for the prevention of HIV to CMO at Innovaderm Research
She was one of the founders of the Yugoslav youth organization for prevention of HIV and AIDS and was invited by the UNICEF team in Belgrade to deliver training on how to diagnose physical and sexual abuse of children based on the status of skin and visible mucosal areas.
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic, currently serving as chief medical officer of Innovaderm Research, is a recognized leader, innovator, and lecturer in the field of dermatology drug development. With a rich experience spanning over 20 years in medical, clinical research, and business expansion, she is dedicated to advancing Innovaderm’s capabilities to design and implement transformative clinical development programs.
Could you give us an overview of your work?
In one sentence: I am a leader, innovator, and lecturer in dermatology drug development.
I am responsible for continual scientific advancement of Innovaderm’s capabilities to design and implement transformative clinical development programs for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. As Innovaderm’s Chief Medical Officer and a member of the Innovaderm’s Executive Leadership Team, I am employing more than 20 years of my medical, clinical research, and business expansion experience to drive ethical, innovative and highly efficient growth. My aim is to establish Innovaderm as a leading global Contract Research Organization (CRO) with a focus on dermatology, medical aesthetics, and rheumatology. One of the key reasons why I am successful is my high performing team of physicians, drug safety specialist, clinical scientists, and cross-functional collaborators. We share values and are deeply dedicated to getting the new, better, truly efficacious and safe therapeutic solutions to patients. By optimizing clinical investigations, we directly accelerate development, regulatory approvals and commercialization of new therapeutics that are changing the lives of millions of patients.
In addition, I serve as an advisor in drug development and medical affairs for multiple companies focused on skin diseases, and also frequently invited keynote speaker at clinical research conferences globally.
When did you realize you were interested in science-as a young child, teen, or older?
The scientific curiosity and decisiveness have been hallmarks of my personality from the earliest beginnings. My parents successfully survived countless cannonades of “why” questions especially about human body, mind, and soul. I am eternally grateful that they always had patience to give me complete age-appropriate answers that nurtured my investigative spirit.
Already as a teenager I wanted to research and promote better ways for children and adults to stay healthy or regain health and well-being. For example, I was one of the founders of the Yugoslav youth organization for prevention of HIV and AIDS. Also, I led Public Health section of the Yugoslav Association of Medical Students in Belgrade when my peers and I created the first international summer school for HIV and AIDS prevention intended for young adults who wanted to become educators on this topic in their communities. This program was endorsed by World Health Organization. During my dermatology residency and later as a practicing dermatologist in academia, I was invited by the UNICEF team in Belgrade, Serbia to create and deliver multiple comprehensive trainings on how to diagnose physical and sexual abuse of children based on the status of skin and visible mucosal areas.
Could you describe your personal journey bringing us to where you are now?
The main reason behind my transition from clinical practice and research in academia in Belgrade, Serbia and moved to the USA was the opportunity to lead the development of new therapeutic solutions for skin disorders on a full-time basis. I started with developing new cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals for acne, rosacea, stretch marks, cellulite, intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging. Then I transitioned to pharmaceutical and CRO industries and focused on dermatology drug and device development for more than 30 common and rare skin diseases. It has been a genuinely fulfilling professional journey of intense professional growth and impact as a leader and as a subject matter expert.
What challenges did you face-as a woman or otherwise along the way and what is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
It was not easy in the beginning when I did not have a personal or professional network in the USA. However, I had my knowledge, experience and fearless attitude. Being a person of high integrity opened many doors for new collaborations including leading positions fairly quickly. In our global society, there are still people polluted by prejudice against certain groups based on their skin color, or gender, or social and economic status, or even nationality, to name a few. What I have always prayed for is simply not to meet such people on my life journey or if they show up on my path that I either be successful in helping them cleanse their point of view or that we simply move in very different directions. I am deeply grateful for having so many good human beings in my personal and professional environment. The most valuable experience that I can share with all is that we always have a choice to do what is right. That is the most rewarding experience applicable to all aspects of our lives. There is always a solution! Even when it does not seem that we have a choice there is a choice. It may not be an easy one, but it exists.
What ignites your passion in your current role?
We need much better therapeutics for the majority of skin diseases. There are still many dermatological disorders where we barely have any therapy to offer to our patients. As the chief medical officer of Innovaderm and expert advisor to many companies, there is so much I can do to forge the development of more advanced, innovative treatments. This amazing opportunity to make an impact energizes me!
Also, we need more dedicated experts in dermatology drug development. I am actively investing time and energy to train and support colleagues at Innovaderm and other colleagues, outside of Innovaderm, who are completing their training or transitioning from research at a laboratory, or from medical practice to clinical research. Frequently, I get invited to speak about how to establish collaborations within the industry.
What is your current work ethos/style?
As a leader, I have strived to cultivate a caring and highly engaging environment for my teams. This environment encourages innovation and is one where we are all genuinely committed to anticipating, preventing, and resolving problems proactively. Our ultimate goal is to deliver high-quality clinical research data. We at Innovaderm have multiple customers: sponsors, research sites, vendors, and above all patients. Consequently, we have multiple focal points. The cornerstones of our approach include formulating the most effective development strategy, ensuring patient safety, safeguarding data quality through seamless collaborations with research sites and vendors, and completing studies with efficiency.
Here are my top seven for fulfilling professional life.
The beginning of professional fulfillment is honesty with yourself regarding what you really want to do.
Family first. If you have parents, siblings, relatives, or children, be a deliberate participator in their lives and let them be close to you. It is not always easy, but it is tremendously rewarding. So much love can be given and received.
Work smart, not simply hard and do things when you believe in their positive impact.
Do the right thing. Always! It is so liberating.
Good or bad, say what you think or need. Plan how you will say it. Find the best way (timing, environment, choice of words) for the other party to hear it well and accept your opinions and asks.
Strategize your success. Envision multiple pathways to achieve it. Give yourself the freedom to change your mind.
Have your village. Foster and cherish deep friendships, nurture close professional connections, surround yourself with honest mentors, coaches, and advisors. Then, strive to be that source of support and guidance for others.
