Dennis Salotti
MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: My greatest accomplishment isn’t characterized by a single defining moment or achievement, but rather finding a continuous and growing strategic fit across all the various opportunities I have had throughout my career. From learning to manage, analyze and interpret data as a scientist at Pfizer and clinical research specialist at Merck & Co. to developing and managing high-performing teams as head of operations at WriteResult and The Avoca Group, each position I have held has built upon the success of the prior one and enabled broader and more impactful achievements. Most recently, as an adjunct faculty member in Drexel’s College of Medicine, I have had the opportunity to communicate complex topics in clinical research in simple, engaging formats. That is an especially important accomplishment for me since I come from a family of educators and recognize teaching young professionals as the most effective vehicle to have a broad impact across the pharmaceutical industry.
HOW DREXEL HELPED: The MS-CROM program helped by giving me a deep foundation of knowledge in all aspects of clinical development. By understanding the “why” and the history behind various aspects of drug development, I have been able to apply systems thinking to develop and implement ideas that will shape the future of the industry. Additionally, pursuing an advanced degree while aggressively pursuing a career helped me further refine very pragmatic time-management skills that become essential with the increasing depth and breadth of responsibilities I now hold as a COO of The Avoca Group, an industry authority on quality and compliance in clinical research and development.
WHERE I’ll BE IN FIVE YEARS: I will be at the beach more — I really want to learn to surf with my wife and kids! Professionally, however, I will be in a role much like I am now —orchestrating an excellent team of people to execute the creative ideas that arise from my unconventional perspective on the uniquely human endeavor of developing and commercializing medicines.
