David joined AMAG in 2008 as a member of the regulatory affairs department. He has advanced in his role since joining the company, having been promoted to his current position. Learn more in our Q&A session with David.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the suburbs outside Albany, NY, but I’ve lived in Massachusetts since 1983. I’m very fond of upstate New York and my father still lives there. It’s a beautiful and underappreciated part of the U.S., and home to the biggest state park in the country (Adirondack State Park)!
What is your educational background?
I studied liberal arts at Middlebury College in Vermont for two years, then transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston where I got a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Berklee was an incredible and unforgettable experience. I wish I could do it all over again.
What brought you into your field?
After deciding I didn’t want to teach music for a living, I got a job at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. Once there, I moved up and eventually became the administrator of a major medical division at BIDMC and Harvard Medical School. I got to work with tons of doctors and researchers in a top-notch academic environment and really liked the fast pace and interesting work. However, when teaching hospitals began to struggle financially in the late 1990s, I decided to look for work in the “for-profit” world.
When did you first know that you wanted to work in biotech?
After I got my first job in pharma/biotech in 2001, I knew I was in a great industry. It is very fast-paced and interesting, and works to solve the puzzle of treatments for difficult diseases. It was also an industry that embraced new technology, which is an interest of mine.
What do you most enjoy about your current job?
We have a small department here, so I get to wear a lot of different hats like assisting with medical writing or doing all the electronic RA submissions.
What would you most love to be doing in 10 years?
Hopefully, working a little less! If work is good to me, perhaps I can afford to travel more, avoid the harsh winters, and spend more time body surfing and playing music!
Tell us about some of your interests/hobbies outside of AMAG.
I love spending time with my family, and that time is becoming more precious to me as my kids begin to enter college. I love traveling, especially anywhere on the Atlantic Coast. I’m still very involved in music and play as much as I can. And I enjoy all sports, especially biking and soccer.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A lot of people probably don’t know that I play drums on a professional level. I love all styles of music, but play mostly jazz and funk these days in a couple of local groups. And I play guitar whenever I get the chance. It’s my obsessive hobby.
