Her Story
About Shelby
Shelby Sundstrom serves as a Research Associate at UNC Chapel Hill in North Carolina, where she has spent the past 7 years contributing to research on HPV pathogenesis in a laboratory setting. In this role, she manages lab operations, oversees inventory and ordering, and mentors PhD and master's students on assay techniques. Prior to her current position, Sundstrom worked at Pfizer in gene therapy manufacturing and at a sterile injectable manufacturing facility in Rocky Mount, gaining experience in GMP processes and pharmaceutical production. She also served 6 years in the Marine Corps Reserves as a radio operator and later as platoon sergeant leading a communications platoon of about 33 Marines. Sundstrom earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and a Master's degree in immunology from Drexel University in Pennsylvania. She was a co-author on a scientific journal publication in 2024. Sundstrom attributes her success to her parents' examples of independence, leadership, and hard work, and she values honesty and transparency in both her professional and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shelby
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents. My mom was a business owner and taught me that women can be independent and be in leadership positions. My dad worked very hard doing physical jobs and taught me and my sister how to work hard, showing that girls can also do physical work like cutting the grass and working on cars.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from my coworker, now my husband: make them say no, or make them tell you no. He encouraged me to apply for jobs even if I didn't fit all the requirements, because there's no harm in applying, and if they say no, that's fine, but make them say no.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them don't be afraid to fail, because everybody fails and that's how you grow and learn. Just do your best, keep trying, be honest, and follow your heart and do what you want to do. You can find a job that you love and make money at the same time.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge is probably confidence and imposter syndrome. Since I do not have a PhD but work with PhD students and postdocs, I always feel like am I smart enough to be here. But I tell myself that experience also matters, and I have a ton of experience.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and transparency are the most important values to me. I see people afraid to admit mistakes, so I try to imprint on my mentees that it's okay, everyone makes mistakes, just be honest and we can fix it, and no one's in trouble.
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