Jonathan Wong
Senior Manager
Amgen
Thousand Oaks, CA

 

When did you first realize you wanted to go into science? Were you a child, adolescent, young adult?

As a child, I wasn’t into science at all. Art was my passion. My earliest school experiences with science subjects were not all positive. It wasn’t until my freshman year at Berkeley that I found my passion in chemistry. I owe that training to a group of dedicated young teaching assistants, and UC Berkeley’s outstanding college professors. Their enthusiasm in the subject matter rubbed off quite a bit on me. Buoyed by their confidence in me, I continued the coursework and graduated with Honors from the College of Chemistry.

What was the MOST effective attribute/characteristic of your FAVORITE career mentor, and how did that help you?

Faith. It’s the confidence in my abilities and the trust that we can all achieve what we set out to accomplish. The confidence my mentor has in my abilities is never breached. To this day, I can always count on my mentor for support when things are going rough and I have experienced some setback. But trust is reciprocal – I must trust myself as much as I trust my mentor. I have to believe and share our mutual vision of my career path. It means that sometimes, I have to push myself beyond what I’ve thought to be possible or I must reach beyond my comfort zone. It also means that I must have faith in her judgment and her working experiences. I have passed on opportunities because of her advice. I’ve stayed or pursued positions because she thought those experiences will help me in the long run. I’ve continued to listen to her advice and to follow her guidance because of her advanced years and accumulated wisdom. It’s hard sometimes to not follow my own inclinations, but her advice has paid off handsomely, and I thank her for it.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Taiwan. I actually grew up in three countries, Taiwan, Singapore and California. All three places have their unique culture, values and ways to live. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience these unique environments at an early stage. At present, I find my life to be much richer as a result of my capacity to connect with a wide and diverse circle of friends. Also, I find it much easier than some of my peers to adapt to different cultural events and experiences.

 

Where did you receive your formal educational training?

Strictly speaking, the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Chicago are my alma mater. But I like to include other training opportunities as well. For example, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America taught me about social causes and the impacts of catastrophic illnesses. I’ve been involved with two great biotechnology companies, Chiron and Amgen. Everything I knew about drug discovery, I learned at Chiron. From Amgen, I have learned the business aspects of managing a commercial biopharmaceutical organization. All these experiences are valuable and have given me a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic workings of the U.S. healthcare system. The learning never stops; professional degrees are almost a matter of formality.

Who do you most admire, and why? (It can be a living or deceased person--someone famous or whom you know personally and does not have to be a scientist.)

Barry Levine, one of the smartest organic chemists whom I know, and with whom I have had the distinct pleasure of working. His thirst for knowledge and passion for his work have inspired my career. In my day-to-day life, I’m always admired the way he lives life to the fullest--pursuing his passions and enjoying every moment of it.

Once you retire professionally, what would be the ONE thing you want people to most remember about you?

Wasn’t he fun to work with!