Alison Ives
Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), Perrigo
Maria McCaffrey
Senior Vice President (SVP) Global Quality, Perrigo
Perrigo senior leaders, Alison Ives and Maria McCaffrey, spotlight the diverse and rewarding career paths available in science, celebrating expert capability and driving research and innovation into trusted self-care solutions.
Serving a critical part of the healthcare continuum, Perrigo has been keeping people out of the doctors’ office for over 135 years. Alison Ives, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, discusses what it is like to work for an organisation with such an important purpose. “Every year, over a billion ailments across Europe are treated with over-the-counter products. To be part of such a purpose-led profession is incredible; we are helping millions of people take control of their health and wellness,” she says.
Insights from industry professionals
“My career has taken many twists and turns over the years, working across a range of science-based disciplines from regulatory affairs, research and development, leadership roles and even moving with my family to the US during Covid-19, before finally settling in Ireland,” Ives explains.
Maria McCaffrey, Senior Vice President of Global Quality, tells a similar story, with a 30-year career in the industry seeing her work across quality control, quality assurance, regulatory, distribution, manufacturing and commercial operations. “Ireland is a great place to have a career in science; we have some of the world leaders and best innovators in the industry here to learn from,” she says.
You have the opportunity to
move as wide or as narrow in
your career as you choose.
Wide-ranging career paths available
“What wasn’t apparent to me early in my career was the broad range of roles available — spanning across pharma, biomedical, biotechnology, energy, food, hospitals, medical technology, environment, agriculture and more,” says McCaffrey. “The skills you develop in one department can be applied across many areas of the industry. You have the opportunity to move as wide or as narrow in your career as you choose.”
Ives agrees: “I knew I had a passion for science, but I chose my degree without a clear plan of where that would take me. The range of opportunity that decision opened up is astronomical, with real potential to positively impact the world.”
Advice for the future of science
One thing I have learned and truly benefitted from is to embrace every opportunity and challenge that’s come my way, no matter how daunting,” says Ives.” “The academic options across Ireland have evolved in recent years. We are producing top graduates with the skills required by science-led companies, creating an environment where you have so many options to choose from.”
“Lay a strong foundation and own your learning. Don’t sit back and wait for someone to do something for you; be proactive and drive towards what you want,” McCaffrey adds.
