Joanne Waldstreicher, M.D.

Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Internal Medicine Clinical Research and Global Drug Development, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, LLC

"When I was younger, my grandfather died after what should have been a simple prostate operation. Later in life, when I was in medical school, I was continually dissatisfied with medicine as it was, and was stimulated to think more of what it could be. I opted for a career in research, and in 2002, was given the opportunity to work in the pharmaceutical industry on the first medicine to treat prostate enlargement. I was in charge of the study that proved that this medical therapy could help men avoid prostate surgery - the same surgery associated with my grandfather's death. With the recent advances in biomedical research, I am more hopeful than ever that we will develop important and innovative medicines that will make a difference in people's lives, extending and improving the quality of life."

Dr. Waldstreicher is responsible for clinical research and development programs in infectious diseases, gastroenterology, endocrinology, urology and reproductive medicine as well as other emerging disease areas of interest to J& JPRD. Prior to joining the company, she served as Executive Director and Therapeutic Area Head of the Endocrinology and Oncology Clinical Research Departments at Merck Research Laboratories. In this capacity, Dr. Waldstreicher was responsible for Mevacor, Zocor, Proscar and Propecia, as well as all clinical development programs in urology and dermatology.

During medical school, Dr. Waldstreicher explored her interests in research by doing a two-year clinical research sabbatical. After completing her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital, she pursued a fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at Massachusetts General Hospital focusing on reproductive endocrinology and circadian rhythms. Dr. Waldstreicher is a graduate of Brooklyn College and received her medical degree, cum laude, from Harvard Medical School.