Dustin Chernick, PhD
Email: dustin@veritasmedicalwriting.com
Phone: (206) 218-5467
LinkedIn
Driven, REsults-Oriented Science Communicator:
Highly organized medical writer, with an extensive track record of successfully making complex scientific ideas accessible for physicians, business professionals, and lay persons.
Expert communicator with numerous awards for science presentation and communication.
Natural leader with experience working in multidisciplinary teams.
Qualifications and Competencies:
PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Minnesota, with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration.
Extensive academic and industry experience (8+ years) in preclinical studies, with multiple published papers.
High achiever with over $150,000 in independent funding secured from fellowships, grants, and awards – highlighting my ability to convey scientific ideas in an engaging manner.
Diligent time-management skills, with strict adherence to deadlines.
Highly experienced in project management, market research and the Microsoft Office Suite.
Awards:
I have written and received the following grants and awards:
Roth-Steer Award for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease (2017).
Winner of the University of Minnesota Rho Chi Research Symposium Poster Session (2017).
1st Place in the Biomedical Sciences Three-Minute Thesis Competition (2016).
Coca-Cola “Development Initiative” Grant on behalf of the PharmacoNeuroImmunology program (2016).
Roth-Steer Award for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease (2016).
ADDF Young Investigator Scholarship (2016).
4-year NIH/NIDA T-32 Training Fellowship through the PharmacoNeuroImmunology program (2014).
Pharmacology Graduate Program Conference Travel Grant (2014, 2015 & 2016).
4-year 3M Science and Technology Doctoral Fellowship (2013).
5-year Shideman Fellowship through the Pharmacology PhD program (2013).
Undergraduate Research Fellowship through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2011).
Summer Research Fellowship through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (2011).
BURST Grant through the Biological Sciences Initiative (2010).
Honors:
Invited Talk to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents (2017).
Invited Talk to the University of Minnesota Graduate Associate Deans (2017).
Invited Talk at the Science Museum of Minnesota (2016).
Invited Talk at the University of Minnesota Center for Orphan Drug Research seminar series (2015).
Invited Talk at the University of Minnesota Pharmacology Department's annual retreat (2014).
Relevant Experience:
Founder, Owner, & Medical Writer — Veritas Medical Writing LLC. 2016 - Present
I oversee and produce all medical writing projects at Veritas Medical Writing.
Publications and Scientific Communications Manager — Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2018 - Present
I strategize, write/edit, and manage vendors (including medical writers, graphic designers, statistical programmers, and others) to produce all Medical Affairs deliverables, including manuscripts, congress abstracts/posters, Scientific Platforms, and slide decks.
I coordinate cross functionally with Clinical Research, Medical Information, Commercial, Corporate Communications and other departments to ensure messaging is polished, up-to-date, and scientifically accurate.
Economic Development Fellow — Birchwood Laboratories: 2016 - Present
Working with the Office of Economic Development at the University of Minnesota, I consult for Birchwood Laboratories, a medical device company. I have provided written deliverables including evaluations of international markets, regulatory and legal issues and marketing strategies.
Doctoral Research — Dr. Ling Li's Lab: 2014 - Present
My doctoral thesis is focused on connections between cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. I am studying the mechanism(s) of action and potential therapeutic effects of HDL mimetic peptides on the progression of Alzheimer's disease. I have written multiple primary research manuscripts and review articles which are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. I have written and been awarded nine grants and one competition 1st prize during my graduate career thus far. I have also developed three interactive learning modules designed to teach undergraduates the basics of immunology and neurodegeneration.
Research Technician — Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute: 2012 - 2013
Research Intern — SomaLogic, Inc.: 2011
Undergraduate Research Assistant — University of Colorado at Boulder: 2010 - 2012
In Dr. Greg Odorizzi's lab, I studied endocytosis, utilizing yeast cells as a model system. I was awarded three separate undergraduate grants for my research. I wrote an honors thesis based on my research, earning the Latin honors magna cum laude, upon graduation.
Education:
University of Minnesota: Minneapolis, Minnesota. September 2013 - 2018
Doctoral Candidate – Pharmacology Graduate Program
Cumulative GPA: 3.8
University of Colorado at Boulder: Boulder, Colorado. August 2008 - May 2012
B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (with a Certificate in Neuroscience)
Cumulative GPA: 3.6 – Graduated with Latin honors, magna cum laude
Dr. Emma Hitt Nichols' 6-week Course: Online. 2016
Freelance Medical Writing Training
Patents:
M. Chernick, W. Nelson, D. Chernick, A. Chernick, M. Nelson. “Illuminated elastomeric flying disc and its method of manufacture.” United States Patent #7223150. Issued May 29, 2007.
Professional Societies:
American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) - Program for Excellence in Science
Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS)
Society for Neuroscience (SfN)
References:
References available upon request.