Dr. Nikki Asse
Regional Account Manager at NovoNordisk
“I think as women, we question and get fearful a lot that we're not as smart as our male colleagues or we don't know enough. And I think that surrounding myself with women who were also in the field and having mentors with women who were in the field was a great opportunity for me to really lean on them, to develop my knowledge in my confidence.”
Watch the video below to learn what inspires Nikki
Read Nikki’s full profile below
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, actually. So, I kind of ended up in Illinois, haphazardly
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Oh, my favorite teacher growing up was my 7th grade science teacher. His name is Mr. Hitchcock. And I think what I loved about in the most as he made science so hands-on and applicable to what was happening in the real world. He was just really easy and engaging to talk to. But was just so much fun in the classroom, had so much passion. And I think that's how I learned to fall in love with science.
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM/Healthcare?
Oh, well, I kind of came into it interestingly. So in College, I majored in microbiology and self-science, and I thought that my path was going to include medical school and becoming a doctor, and that didn't work out. And every day I'm so thankful that that's not the route that it happened for me. But I ended up going to graduate school and getting my doctorate in immunology and microbiology and worked for and with an amazing mentor who really encouraged me to get, to stay inside but to get into the pharmaceutical industry and to have outreach in a very different kind of capacity. So yeah, I think I have always been interested in STEM and science and technology, and it's an everyday part of who I am. And I'm currently raising two young daughters to have the same kind of passion.
What were your moments of fear/challenges in your career?
Yeah. That's a fantastic question. I think as women, we question and get fearful a lot that we're not as smart as our male colleagues or we don't know enough. And I think that surrounding myself with women who were also in the field and having mentors with women who were in the field was a great opportunity for me to really lean on them, to develop my knowledge in my confidence. I think the confidence piece is so important, and I will still say today I continue to surround myself with women who I trust and who challenge me and to build me up to be better at what I'm doing. But you definitely need that support because it's so easy to lose your confidence and lose your way sometimes. And I don't feel that men have some of those same challenges or if they do there, they overcome them a lot easier, I think, than women do.
What are some of the innovations in science that you are most excited about?
Yeah. So, in school, there was so much focus on vaccine development. I think seeing vaccine development happen so quickly right in front of the entire world. And the platform that it's been on with Covid has been so fascinating to me. Never before has something from a scientific standpoint come to the market so quickly. And I think that to me, that's so fascinating. The emerging infectious diseases has been something that has been talked about for the last 20 years. And so, to see it actually happening in this day and age that we're living in as scary as it is, we knew it was coming, and so hopefully we'll continue to maybe pay attention a little bit more to the fact that this won't be the last one. I hope you don't see anything else in our day and age, but our children. So to me, I think that's, just emerging infectious diseases is extremely fascinating to me.
What’s next for you?/What would you like to do when you “grow up”? (retire, etc.)/ what is something you hope to accomplish in the future?
Oh, my gosh. That's such a great question. I ask myself that every day I think I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. And you know what I'll say? I think that's okay, because I think that what that means is that you're still thinking growing that growth mindset, trying to figure out what you want to be. And I don't know, I haven't figured it out yet. I look at all opportunities and I go, okay. Maybe that's something that I want to do, but I think I'm still trying to figure that out.
Personal style/fashion tip?
No, these are really hard. Okay, let me think about this. I don't think I have a unique talent. Personal. Okay, I'll do. Alright, at least make a note. I'll do personal style and then maybe favorite website. They're going to be there to age me completely. Alright, my personal style or fashion tip. And this has only happened since we have to do so many of these virtual type meetings. I never was dane about this kind of stuff before, but since you're always seeing people from the shoulder up, my fashion tip is to always put mascara on because it makes your eyes look bigger when you’re on camera.
Favorite website/blog/ “guilty pleasure”/ fun?
I learned that from my mother-in-law, and I think my favorite website. I think the one that I probably go to more than checking on my bank account is Pinterest. And I go there for recipes because I love to cook, and I have a very picky eight-year-old eater. And so I'm just trying to find new recipes. That's going to be something that she might want to eat as well. But I do love Pinterest for recipes. My 13-year-old Darla Pinterest for fashion and decorating her room and stuff.
