Career Journey as an Analytical Chemist and Insights Gained
Dr. Kimberly Agnew-Heard, Director Regulatory Affairs, Altria Client Services, VA
Abstract: This presentation will provide an overview of my unique career path from completing a PhD in analytical chemistry to working at a Fortune 500 company and the lessons learned along the way. I will share my journey from research scientist focused on HPLC analyses of pharmaceutical products and medical devices, before transitioning to a senior chemistry reviewer with FDA, and then to director of regulatory affairs at Altria. I will provide an overview of different governmental agencies and private industry sectors that hire analytical chemists. Also, I will share the skills to hone during graduate school and early career, including analytical method development and validation – particularly in regulated industries – and written and oral communication beyond technical writing. Lastly, I will provide my thoughts on different career options for analytical chemists who choose not to continue laboratory-related work.
Bio: Dr. Kimberly Agnew-Heard, Ph.D. is a Director of Regulatory Affairs for Altria Client Services in Richmond, VA. In this role she leads program management, regulatory strategies, scientific oversight, and submissions of reduced-risk tobacco products.
Prior to joining Altria, Dr. Agnew-Heard held many roles as an analytical chemist focused on method development and validations to analyze small and large molecules at a contract manufacturing organization; led successful R&D test method transfers for testing drug-eluting stents at a medical device company; and was a scientific regulatory reviewer at FDA.
Dr. Agnew-Heard has published numerous scientific articles, has been an active member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) since 1995. Most recently she was elected to the ACS Board of Directors as District II Director (2023 – 2025) and selected as an ACS Fellow in 2022. She served on several executive committee roles within the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry as Chair and Councilor.