Technical Leadership: A Primer for STEM Graduate Students

Jean Tom

Executive Director of Development Engineering, Chemistry Process Development at Bristol Myers Squibb

Jean Tom is the Executive Director of Development Engineering, Chemistry Process Development at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she leads a group of chemical engineers focused on development of chemical processes to synthesize small-molecule drug candidates for new therapeutics. Her team generates process knowledge through lab experimentation, modeling and data visualization, and scale-up activities to enable technology and process transfer to manufacturing. Prior to joining BMS in 2006, Jean spent 19 years at Merck Research Laboratories. During that time, she held positions overseeing process development, pilot plant operations and technology transfer, while contributing to new approaches to talent outreach, engagement, and development. She has had a role in 14 pharmaceutical products from Merck and BMS now in the market. 

She received B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering Practice from MIT. After several years in industry, Jean returned to academia and received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Princeton University. Jean is active in the AIChE(American Institute of Chemical Engineers) as a Fellow and recipient of the AIChE Industrial Leadership Award (2018), and in the NAE (National Academy of Engineering) to which she was elected to in 2019. She was a founding board member of the Enabling Technologies Consortium (ETC), a consortium of 14 pharmaceutical companies working in the pre-competitive space for technology development. She contributes to the chemical engineering community through her service to ABET, external advisory committees for several departments, AICHE and NAEcommittees, and through innovative STEM outreach programs. She is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers (AIMBE) and a member of the Academy of Distinguished Engineers at University of Texas at Austin. She is also proud parent of Princeton alums: Jeff ’18, and Keith ’22.