Tayyaba Hasan

Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School
Professor of Health Science Technology, Harvard-MIT
Biologist, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Mass. General Hospital
Director, Offi ce for Research Career Development, Mass. General Hospital
Country of birth: India
Country of residence: USA

Educational background: MS in organic chemistry, Univ. of Karachi; MPhil in physical chemistry, Univ. of Islamabad; PhD in physical organic chemistry, Univ. of Arkansas

A typical work day.
As a professor in the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at MGH, I lead a team of postdoctoral fellows researching photodynamic therapy (PDT), which is used to treat a wide number of diseases. In the lab at Wellman, my day involves research, teaching, and mentoring. As Director of the Offi ce for Research Career Development at MGH, I oversee the formulation, development and implementation of initiatives that address the specifi c career needs of MGH research faculty and research fellows.

What I enjoy most.
In 2009 I was fortunate to receive recognition for my accomplishments in research and mentoring from the National Institute of Health (the "Pioneer Award in Biomedical Optics for Bench to Bedside Translation") and Harvard Medical School (the "William Silen Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring Award"). On the research side, one of the most satisfying events was that one of our discoveries in the laboratory led to an approved and widely used treatment for blindness. Currently our technology has been used for millions of treatments.

Words of wisdom.
Focus on career development but do enjoy what you do.