Epidemiology in the Private Sector: Opportunities in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries

Epidemiologists influence public health by using advanced technology and data to understand diseases and explore innovations that reduce their spread and impact. Highly sought after in both the public and private sectors, these hardworking professionals empower individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Keep reading to discover their growing influence in private-sector areas such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

What Do Epidemiologists Do?

An epidemiologist acts a lot like a disease detective, determining how health issues spread and how they can be controlled. These insights influence everything from public health campaigns to state and federal policies. Their work can drive impressive improvements in public health outcomes, providing the tools, insights, and support needed to address the biggest health challenges of our time.

So, what do epidemiologists do? This role can look different depending on your preferred industry or specialization, but it typically centers around research and analysis, using data to understand how diseases spread and impact populations. Epidemiologists analyze patterns of illness, collecting and interpreting data from several sources to reveal key trends. They may also be involved in educating the public, offering insight and advice in response to outbreaks and improving preparedness for future public health issues.

Clarifying the expanding role of the modern epidemiologist, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights key responsibilities as they relate to disease control and prevention, including planning and directing studies, analyzing information, and communicating findings to the public. That being said, the BLS highlights the expanding importance of epidemiology within the private sector, explaining that these tend to be research-intensive roles and are likely to involve pharmaceuticals or the insurance industry.

Epidemiology Career Paths Within the Private Sector

While epidemiologists have an influential role in shaping public policy and improving public responses to outbreaks, their research and analysis skills are also highly valued in the private sector. Employers across many industries seek to leverage epidemiologists' expertise in an increasingly data-driven world, using their insights to fuel everything from drug development to precision medicine.

The private sector provides valuable resources and opportunities to help epidemiologists tackle public health issues. Its involvement can drive innovation, develop targeted therapies, and accelerate breakthroughs. Epidemiologists support this effort, and when employed in the private sector, form a key bridge between clinical research and real-world applications.

Epidemiology in Drug Development

Epidemiology supports drug discovery by revealing which diseases or conditions are more prevalent. and whether they require new medications or other interventions. Additionally, epidemiologists can reveal how current drugs are used and where they fall short. This, in turn, amplifies the drug development process, ensuring that medications achieve maximum efficacy while remaining safe for diverse patient populations.

A practice known as "pharmacoepidemiology" blends central elements of epidemiology and pharmacology to determine how drugs are used within populations, whether they are effective, and whether they prompt any side effects or other adverse outcomes. These insights are valued during all drug development phases, from discovery to animal toxicology and beyond.

The Journal of Clinical Medicine clarifies that pharmacoepidemiology applies "epidemiological methods to the area of clinical pharmacology" and can inform "clinical decision-making and public health policy." Gathering information from clinical trials and a wide range of other sources, epidemiologists help pharmaceutical companies understand the real-world implications of newly developed drugs.

Epidemiology in Clinical Trials

Following the initial phases of drug discovery and development, epidemiologists can support pre-clinical and clinical trials. These professionals may guide study design and oversee recruitment efforts, ensuring suitable participants are selected. They may also shape stratification, revealing how different types of study participants respond to various treatments.

Epidemiological methods drive effective data analysis during clinical trials, revealing how proposed treatments compare to existing therapies. By employing advanced statistical techniques, epidemiologists can better understand patient outcomes and potential adverse effects. Their work also promotes regulatory compliance, helping pharmaceutical companies abide by strict Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

Epidemiology in Health Technology and Data Science

There is great overlap between epidemiology and data science, especially as machine learning solutions drive changes in public health, pharmaceuticals, and all corners of the healthcare sector. Data science can enhance epidemiological methods but also influence the development and use of cutting-edge health technologies. For example, epidemiologists may study solutions such as wearable devices, revealing how these impact patient populations and can be leveraged to boost health outcomes.

Epidemiology in Biotechnology and Precision Medicine

Precision medicine brings an innovative and highly personalized approach to treating patients. As the FDA explains, the goal is to "target the right treatments to the right patients at the right time." This emphasizes genetic and environmental factors to determine the patient-specific manifestations of disease. Precision medicine can also reveal how care can be adapted accordingly.

Epidemiologists support precision medicine by designing and conducting studies determining how personalized treatments impact different types of patients. This information can be used to identify the most effective interventions based on specific health concerns, environmental factors, or other individual characteristics.

Skills Needed for a Successful Epidemiology Career

As an epidemiologist, you can drive clinical and public health breakthroughs but also have the power to shape high-impact fields such as big pharma and biotech. Before you can make a meaningful difference, however, you will need to develop these essential skills:

Strong Analytical and Statistical Skills

Statistical skills lie at the heart of modern epidemiology, which relies on in-depth analysis to uncover meaningful patterns and trends. Statistical principles may inform study design while supporting surveys yielding accurate data. Advanced statistical methods such as regression analysis can reveal relationships between independent and dependent variables, aiding risk factors assessments while also helping to determine how effective various interventions may prove.

Experience With Big Data and Programming

While epidemiology has long qualified as a data-driven field, the role of data has changed considerably in the last several years, sparked by exciting breakthroughs in big data analytics and even artificial intelligence. Moving forward, epidemiologists should be prepared to use advanced statistical modeling techniques to uncover hidden patterns within sizable data sets.

Experience with programming can boost this effort, with options such as R or Python helping epidemiologists develop impactful statistical models. Programming can influence data visualizations or may even help epidemiologists create custom software solutions or applications.

Knowledge of Regulatory Frameworks

Epidemiologists must navigate a complex web of regulatory requirements, which determine how data can be collected and analyzed. Compliance efforts may center around the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which safeguards sensitive health information. Private-sector epidemiology also requires a thorough understanding of FDA guidelines that govern drug development and clinical trials.

Communication and Collaboration With Multidisciplinary Teams

In graduate school, aspiring epidemiologists aim to develop a strategic blend of technical and soft skills. For instance, written and verbal communication skills determine how epidemiologists convey complex insights about disease patterns and research breakthroughs.

Collaboration is just as important, as epidemiologists work closely with public health professionals, clinical experts, and, in the private sector, leaders from project management or data science. Senior-level epidemiologists may need to delegate responsibilities to entry-level professionals, overseeing complex projects or initiatives while ensuring that diverse team members work together to achieve shared goals.

Emerging Trends in Private Sector Epidemiology

As private-sector leaders continue to court the best and brightest from the field of epidemiology, the trends and technologies that shape epidemiology practices will evolve at an ever-increasing pace. Trends that promise to shape the epidemiologist positions of tomorrow include:

Big Data Analytics in Healthcare

From online interactions to Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, data sources continue to expand. However, making the most of this data can prove challenging. Big data analytics can support this effort, with epidemiologists leading the charge by using advanced tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights.

In public health, big data can shape early detection and monitoring. However, this also proves valuable in the private sector, where early identification can inform relevant drug development and even influence market strategy.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) could spark impressive advancements across the spectrum of epidemiology, helping professionals make better use of health data while allowing for greater accuracy in predictive modeling and real-time surveillance. ML models can enhance simulation efforts, assisting epidemiologists to understand how different drugs or interventions might play out in the real world. In drug development, ML can aid patient stratification and optimize trial design.

Telehealth and Remote Monitoring

In the public sector, advancements in telehealth have proven invaluable for tracking the spread of disease, especially while striving to limit exposure. Field epidemiology, for example, increasingly relies on remote monitoring solutions for disease surveillance purposes. These cutting-edge remote solutions can also prove transformative for private sector initiatives supporting real-time data collection. This provides rapid and accurate insights into patient responses and may ultimately elevate precision medicine.

How to Become an Epidemiologist

To some extent, the path to becoming an epidemiologist may depend on how you want to navigate this diverse field. That being said, there is a key similarity between preparing for public and private-sector epidemiology, which is that a relevant master's degree is crucial.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology provides a strong foundation, empowering you to pursue a rewarding and impactful career path. In addition to covering fundamentals such as biostatistics and data management, you'll have the chance to explore niche topics or specializations. You may even have the opportunity to apply your skills in real-world settings. Following graduation, your strong resume and robust alumni network will help you secure desired public or private sector roles.

Uncover Exciting Epidemiological Opportunities With an MPH From TAMU

Ready to drive exciting innovations in pharma, biotech, or public health? Texas A&M can help you pursue a career you find deeply compelling, all while helping you make a difference. Our MPH in Epidemiology provides a flexible curriculum, designed to inspire and support the diverse epidemiologists of tomorrow. Get in touch today to learn more.