Biography
Yael-Natalie H. Escobar, PhD is currently a Clinical Research Scientist I at Syner-G BioPharma Group. Her primary responsibilities include writing and conducting quality control checks of CSRs (Phase I and III), protocols, and other regulatory submissions documents while performing management tasks that accompany these projects. Yael was a 2022 Medical Writing Fellow at Syner-G and a 2021 recipient of the American Physiological Society Early Career Advocacy Fellowship. She obtained her PhD from CiTEM in 2020 followed by postdoctoral training at the Ohio State University.
Can you walk me through your career path after graduation? Was the route you took what you had envisioned?
Sure! I knew I wanted a job lined up before graduating. I had seen others defend their dissertation only to face immediate pressure to find a job, and I didn’t want that for myself. My situation was unique because my partner was applying to residencies, so I applied to roles in three potential locations where we thought he might match: the FDA in Maryland, a postdoc position at Ohio State University (OSU), and a science policy position in California. I made it to the final round for the California role, but when my partner matched in Ohio, I decided to withdraw so someone else could have that opportunity. I was offered both the FDA role and the OSU postdoc, but I chose OSU to avoid long-distance with my partner.
While taking a postdoc wasn’t unexpected, it was more of a backup plan to explore if I wanted to stay in academia or transition to something else. After about a year, I realized the postdoc wasn’t for me. There were aspects I liked, but I didn’t see it as a long-term fit.
Do you think a postdoc is necessary for someone interested in medical writing?
Not necessarily. There are definitely people who transition directly into medical writing roles or fellowships without a postdoc. Personally, I wasn’t set on medical writing right after grad school—I was considering science policy and regulatory affairs, which is why I applied to the FDA and the California science policy role.
What the postdoc gave me was time and flexibility to figure out my next steps while being in a location where my partner was. Everyone’s situation is different, though. I think it’s important for grad students to weigh their professional goals alongside personal commitments. Delayed gratification is often emphasized in grad school, but you can’t delay living your life forever.
What advice would you give to grad students to help them prepare for their careers?
A few things. First, take every writing opportunity you can. Writing is a critical skill, no matter what career path you choose. Whether it’s grants, blogs, papers, or reviews, practice as much as possible during grad school. Even if you’re not great at it, the more you do, the better you’ll get.
Second, take advantage of internships or fellowships, like the ones offered through BBSP or other programs. Breaking into industry can be challenging, so having relevant experience or connections is key.
Finally, network. This can mean attending conferences, joining local groups, or even participating in casual networking events. In the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area, for example, there are medical writing groups that host events. Networking can feel awkward, but it’s crucial. Set small goals, like attending one event every couple of months, introducing yourself, and stepping out of your comfort zone.
What does a typical day or week look like for you in medical writing?
It varies depending on the project timeline. Some weeks are heavy on meetings and project management—scheduling, creating timelines, coordinating with teams, and preparing materials for client discussions. For example, I might spend a morning prepping for a 6:00 AM meeting with clients on the East Coast or in Europe, followed by an afternoon working on timelines and kickoff materials for a different project.
Other weeks, it’s all about writing. I might spend several hours drafting or editing documents like clinical study reports (CSRs), which summarize trial results for health authorities like the FDA or European Medicines Agency (EMA). My process usually involves writing sections in stages and taking breaks to review my work with fresh eyes. This helps me catch errors and refine the messaging.
The work comes in waves. During December, for instance, I’ll likely have two to three weeks of pure writing. At other times, it’s a mix of project management, meetings, and writing, which helps keep things dynamic.
What types of documents do medical writers typically handle?
A wide variety. I work on CSRs, which detail the results of clinical trials, whether they met their endpoints or not, and are submitted to health authorities. I’ve also worked on protocols and protocol amendments, which outline updates to clinical study plans, and high-level summary documents like safety and efficacy modules for regulatory submissions.
Additionally, I’ve contributed to orphan drug designation applications. These are for drugs targeting rare diseases and are submitted to the FDA or EMA to gain special incentives. Each document type has its own set of requirements, which keeps the work engaging and varied.
What skills are critical for success in medical writing?
Attention to detail is crucial, as is strong project management. Grad school and postdocs teach you these skills to some extent, but you refine them over time. For example, managing multiple projects in a lab setting helps prepare you for coordinating timelines and deliverables in medical writing.
Another key skill is communication. Medical writers often collaborate with subject matter experts, such as clinicians or statisticians, who may be busy or difficult to engage. Being personable, empathetic, and consistent in your communication makes it easier to build relationships and get the information you need.
Do you have any final advice for grad students?
Grad school doesn’t last forever—don’t let it. Set a timeline for finishing and stick to it. And once you’re done, prioritize living your life. Build a community, focus on what matters to you, and don’t delay pursuing the next step in your career and personal growth.
About the interviewer:
Sarah Miller is a 3rd year PhD trainee in the Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine at şÚÁĎÍř-Chapel Hill. Under the mentorship of Dr. Julia Rager, she leverages in vitro exposure models, transcriptomics, and computational toxicology methods to understand the respiratory health effects of exposure to wildfire-relevant chemical mixtures. Outside the lab, Sarah enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and hosting dinner parties.
