International Day of Women and Girls in Science
"I say, go for it! Gender is not a limitation for any field, including science. I tell my daughters this all the time!"
CAPT Tina Bhavsar
Health Scientist
Office of Science
Strategic National Stockpile
How long have you been in science and technology?
I have been working in my field for over 20 years but have always loved science and math. I have been with ASPR for six years. As a student, I would always select science and math heavy electives.
Do you have a specialty or focus area?
I am a Health Scientist for the Office of Science within the Strategic National Stockpile at ASPR. I am a pharmacist by training, and have a background that includes regulatory, industry, and clinical experience. In my role, I assist with oversight of the stockpile formulary and provide technical and scientific advice on pharmaceutical and medical supply issues regarding the stockpile. I participate in numerous intergovernmental working groups on counterterrorism involving radiological, chemical, and biological agents as a subject matter expert on stockpiling for terrorist events and other large-scale public health emergencies.
What motivated you to take this career path?
I was interested in pharmacy because I think understanding how medicine works in our bodies is so important. And I loved that there are just so many options of using pharmacy skills within the field. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to take on a non-traditional role and blend public health into my career because of the impact I could make. It’s amazing to take a step back and realize that the decisions made relating to pharmaceuticals within the SNS can reach people nationwide, and sometimes even globally!
What specialty training or education prepared you for this career path?
I earned my Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed a postdoctoral general medicine residency at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. After my formal education, I worked as a clinical pharmacist and then went into pharmaceutical industry before entering Federal government.
What would you say to a woman who is considering a career in science and technology?
I’m lucky to be surrounded by strong, intelligent, and supportive women as colleagues. It’s amazing the amount of work our small team can accomplish – it’s forever encouraging and inspiring. So, I say, go for it! Gender is not a limitation for any field, including science. I tell my daughters this all the time!
