Her Story
About Janki
Janki Desai serves as Senior Clinical Pharmacologist at AbbVie in North Chicago, Illinois. With four years in the pharmaceutical industry, she applies quantitative pharmacology to help cross-functional teams determine appropriate doses and make key drug development decisions across therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, and specialty diseases. Desai completed her Bachelor and Master in Pharmacy in India, where she worked as an assistant professor for four years mentoring students and conducting research. She then earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Cincinnati over five years, including clinical trial research, followed by an FDA internship that provided regulatory perspective. In her role, she prepares protocols, submits regulatory documents, selects doses for clinical trials, and contributes to strategic decisions to advance medicines that improve patient outcomes. She actively participates in professional organizations such as the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the American Society for Clinical and Translational Sciences, and the European Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, developing webinars and supporting early-career scientists. Desai attributes her success to curiosity, resilience, mentorship, family, and colleagues, emphasizing collaborative effort, integrity, growth, and kindness.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Janki
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from curiosity, resilience, support from mentors, family, and colleagues. I stayed open to feedback, kept learning, and took challenges even when not fully ready. It's a collaborative effort, not individual.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Do excellent work but also communicate its value clearly. Focus on technical execution but think broadly about influence and leadership. Build alignment by understanding different perspectives.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't wait until you feel completely ready. Keep trying and accept challenges before feeling fully comfortable. Build technical foundation but also invest in communication, relationships, and mentors. Trust your perspective and don't be shy about opportunities.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI and new technology offer opportunities to make drug development more efficient and precise through better data compilation, modeling, and quantitative approaches. The challenge is using these tools thoughtfully while maintaining scientific rigor and clear communication of results.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is essential in science so people trust your recommendations. Growth through new challenges and learning from others. Kindness in how you treat people along the way, building relationships and friendships that support your career.
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