In this edition of our Career Perspectives series, we had the pleasure of speaking with Joe Maginnity, Biostatistician II at Cytel. With a background in biological sciences, Joe shares insights into his professional journey, the collaborative nature of his role as a biostatistician in Data Monitoring Committees (DMC), and how biostatistics is evolving alongside advances in AI and machine learning. He also reflects on the importance of communication, remote work strategies, and the value of maintaining balance beyond the screen.

Can you give us a little background on your career so far? What inspired you to pursue a degree in biostatistics and a career as a biostatistician?

After graduating with a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Davis, I originally considered pursuing a career as a physician, but ultimately discovered the great field of biostatistics. I wanted to apply both my knowledge of medicine and mathematics and biostatistics was the perfect fit. I graduated from the Ohio State University with my MS in Biostatistics in 2020 and was hired by Cytel in March 2021 as a Biostatistician I. The following year, I was promoted to Biostatistician II. Over the past four years, I have grown into a more independent role within the DMC and have been the lead biostatistician on multiple projects.

Can you walk us through what a typical day looks like in your role? What kinds of tasks do you usually focus on, and how closely do you work with clients?

I am based in Seattle, Washington, and my clients range from all over the United States and Europe. I usually start my workday early to stay in contact with clients in Europe, with the remainder of my morning reserved for meetings. Then I arrange my day around my high priority work. In addition to daily tasks such as QC reports, report deliveries, and minutes reviews, I also attend DMC meetings, working very closely with clients beforehand to ensure everything runs smoothly and all bases are covered.

Are there any common misconceptions about being a biostatistician in clinical trials?

I think a common misconception is that biostatisticians only work on data analysis and statistics. However, to be a successful biostatistician in clinical trials, communication is very important. It is a huge part of this job. You have to complete many time-sensitive tasks to ensure that you are producing high-quality deliverables and providing insightful statistical knowledge for many different clients. Without the ability to communicate effectively and perform tasks in a timely manner, you would not be able to execute the tasks required of a biostatistician here.

What makes for a successful collaboration between statisticians and other members of a clinical trial team?

Successful collaboration is built primarily on great communication. Having a complete understanding of what work is being expected from us and being able to communicate with the clinical trial team when we are in need of more clarification or in need of some more statistical insight goes a long way. I always try to be as communicative and clear as possible with all the clinical trial teams and DMC I work with in order to build a strong and successful partnership.

In your thesis research, you used machine learning methods and statistical model building. How do you see the role of biostatistics evolving in the next 5–10 years, especially with the increased use of AI and machine learning?

I think in the next 5–10 years, biostatistics will likely become more intertwined with AI and machine learning, leading to new biostatistics roles and the redefinition of existing ones. The increasing demand for AI-powered tools and data analysis will most likely require biostatisticians to expand their expertise in these areas. This includes using AI to improve risk prediction, identify patterns in large datasets, and personalize treatment plans. In using machine learning, biostatisticians may become more proficient in analyzing complex data and making statistical predictions.

As a remote employee, how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? What strategies work for you, and do you feel supported by Cytel in this regard?

My home is my office, so I enjoy creating a fun workspace that keeps me motivated and focused. I have a standing desk where I do most of my work, and it is located next to my record player. Throughout the day — when I am not in a meeting, of course — I like to listen to different types of records, as it requires me to take breaks when one side of a record is done playing. It helps me stay focused while also reminding me to take small breaks away from the computer screen.

By being remote, I am also allowed the privilege of working while I am traveling. This has allowed me to visit friends and family in many different cities while saving up vacation time for when I want to travel, but not work. I feel very supported by my manager and team. I just need to give them enough notice of where I may be working remote from, especially when the time zones are much different.

What are your main interests outside of work?

Being in Seattle, there are so many amazing activities in this lively city. I really enjoy going to live music concerts. I probably attended 50 concerts last year alone! I also enjoy baking for my friends — and they all enjoy eating baked goods, especially my chocolate chip cookies. Seattle also has many different record stores, and I like browsing all their different varieties of music. And as you may have noticed earlier, I especially love traveling, both within the United States and internationally. I recently visited Japan, and this summer I plan to travel to Europe for 6 weeks, visiting places like London, Dublin, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam.

Finally, what’s one piece of career advice you wish you had received earlier?

Set boundaries early and stick to them. I give 100% of myself when I’m at work, and I give 100% of myself to me, my family, and friends after work.

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