Tran Pham: Breaking barriers and building biopharma solutions

Now the Global market development manager at Phenomenex, she thrives on connecting insights with solutions, all while channeling the wisdom of her science-loving microbiologist father. Tran's story is a testament to curiosity, perseverance, and finding unexpected paths beyond the lab.

Could you give us an overview of your work?​

I serve as the biopharma market strategic resource for Phenomenex. My focus is to develop and communicate strategic plans for driving growth in the Biopharma market while maintaining a pulse on its trends, shifts, regulations, competitor activities, collaboration opportunities and customer unmet needs.  To be successful, I work cross-functionally with Product Management, Market Intelligence, Product Marketing, Sales, and the Application Laboratory to ensure customers achieve their goals through the value of Phenomenex’s solutions.

When did you realize you were interested in science - as a young child, teen, or older?​  

I grew up in a science household as my dad is a microbiologist.  I always enjoyed learning about science, but I believe it was my high school chemistry teacher that made me realize I had a 'knack' for Chemistry.

Could you describe your personal journey bringing us to where you are now?​  

After graduated school and like most science graduates, I got a job in the lab.  After about 5 years of working as a method development and validation scientist for contract drug manufacturing organizations, I got bored.  I got my first opportunity to work with a vendor (Waters Corporation) during a consultation visit and became a technical software trainer.  Since then, I have held various positions such as lab manager, sales, and business development manager, scaffolding additional experiences that let me reach my next career opportunity.  As a current market development manager, I am able to continue on doing so and have a full perspective of not only the customer needs but of my internal customers - the sales organization - as well.

What challenges did you face - as a woman or otherwise - along the way and what is the most valuable lesson you have learned? ​​

My first challenge was being a female software trainer in a male dominant sector.   The perceived perception was I wouldn’t know much or wouldn’t understand the details of the job or the product I was training.  My knowledge wouldn’t go deeper than the “training” script” I followed and the same goes for potential questions asked by the students.  The most valuable lesson is to quietly accept but prove them wrong in your own way.  Own that stage!  Be the quiet before bringing your storm.  

What ignites your passion in your current role?​

Having the ability to maintain the connection with external and internal customers.  That is my drive – collecting and summarizing the market insights to feed into the cross-functioning departments to come up with valuable solutions.

What is your current work ethos/style?​

Rome wasn’t built over night and definitely not by one person.  It takes a village, and that support is what keeps and maintains the spark and guiding light.

Could you share some advice for young women starting to develop an interest in science or wanting to pursue a career like yours?​

Pursue it and get a mentor who will help you explore the interest(s). Science has lots of avenues – chemistry, physics, biology, etc. and each avenue has its own corners of specifics and there are many careers beyond the lab.  I honestly wish I knew then what I know now.  A mentor would have helped me then.