Dr. Tina Cascone, MD, PhD, does both.
Dr. Cascone is a cancer researcher whose nascent career already shows great promise.
Her work drifted towards research after someone close to her developed cancer while she was in medical school.
Immunotherapies work by allowing the patients immune system to better recognize cancer cells and destroy them.
What drove you to choose your career path?
Why oncology and what drove you to focus on research?
When I was in medical school, someone very close to me developed cancer.
This became the catalyst that drove me to learn as much as possible about the disease.
I remember the fascination that came from learning about the genetic changes that take place during cancer development.
Soon, I knew that I wanted to pursue medical oncology as my profession.
What kind of education and experience did you should probably get where you are today?
After graduating from medical school in Naples, Italy, I entered the schools oncology fellowship program.
As my research experience was coming into focus, I sought opportunities to directly help patients as well.
What kinds of things do you do beyond what most people see?
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
Both roles are very important to me and are the foundation of what I do each week.
What misconceptions do people often have about your work and job?
I think cancer research and patient care are very complementary and feed each other.
Thats a wonderful feeling.
Another potential misconception is that science is a solitary pursuit that is conducted by individuals isolated in their laboratories.
This couldnt be further from the truth.
What are your average work hours?
Typical 9-5 schedule or not?
I dont know any physicians that work a 9-5 schedule.
I venture to spend time with my family and my dog every day to balance my work hours.
Weekends are a time for hobbies, family, and some research and clinic work.
Whats the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
I am not sure that you ever get over it completely.
My patients are always on my mind and provide inspiration for my work.
Whats the most enjoyable part of the job?
What do people under/over value about what you do?
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
I knew what I was signing up for when I decided to follow this path.
Is there a way to move up in your field?
Every road for a researcher is different depending on your personal goals.
My goal is to become an independent investigator at an academic medical center.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Medicine and science are always changing so this field also offers an opportunity for lifelong learning.
This approach will help them to make an informed decision.
If you like it, go for it.
If youd like to share your career, email us at[email protected].Photo byWestend61via Getty.
