Meet the Leidos Biomedical Research Team: 5 Minutes with Claudia Haywood, D.P.A., J.D.
Dr. Claudia Haywood, Esq., serves as Director of Intellectual Property and Strategic Agreements for Leidos Biomedical Research, an interdisciplinary team that supports the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research's (FNLCR) fight against cancer. Her personal work involves managing the intellectual property portfolio at Leidos Biomedical Research and providing management oversight for intellectual property, research administration, and research compliance issues that occur as a part of operations and ongoing research.
Take a peek into a recent conversation with Claudia about her team's work.
Your role may sound quite complicated to an outsider. How would you describe this job to an 8th grader?
I keep in mind that while I'm writing, reviewing and negotiating legal contracts and agreements, what I'm really doing is helping scientists who are researching potential treatments. My work ultimately delivers the tools they need to conduct this research, including information, specimens and research materials.
Your work supports the advancement of biomedical science, improving people's hope for a healthy life. How does that inspire you each day?
Seeing our scientists' excitement and enthusiasm for their work and its results always inspires me. And when I see their research translate into products that help patients, I'm always moved. I feel that the support we provide to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will one day remediate some of the world's deadliest diseases. Working with FNLCR through COVID and Ebola proved that we are a vital part of the work NIH does in supporting public health.
How did you get where you are today?
My path wasn't an easy one. I grew up with two very hardworking parents. Neither went to college, but they wanted all five of their children to go. As a student supporting myself, I balanced a job and schoolwork in college. But I don't see that struggle as a bad thing. It helped me develop my work ethic, an ability to multi-task and a desire to be a lifelong learner, especially concerning science and law.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Probably, the Seychelles. I have only seen it in pictures, but it looks beautiful, peaceful and absolutely gorgeous. I love to paint, and I think it would be great to sit outside painting pictures, reading and enjoying the sunshine.