Career advice from IHME female faculty members
Published March 4, 2026
As a Senior Content Strategist at IHME, my role focuses on translating complex studies into terms that non-scientists can understand. For this piece, however, I decided to tap into the rich personal insights of IHME’s experts. I asked five women on IHME’s faculty to answer two questions:
- What tips might you have for women who are considering a career in research/academia?
- What advice would you give your younger self if you could go back in time?
Here are their responses, which reflect their wide-ranging experiences and hard-earned wisdom. Their reflections provide useful insights—not just for people working in academia—but also for professionals across disciplines, career stages, and genders.
What tips might you have for women who are considering a career in research/academia?
Dr. Angela Apeagyei, Research Assistant Professor
"Build your resilience and persistence muscle by consistently giving yourself stretch goals."
"There are many ways to engage in, and excel within, research and academia. Don’t let conventional expectations or stereotypes dictate your career path; define success on your own terms and pursue the route that fits your strengths, interests, and goals.
Dr. Marie Ng, Affiliate Associate Professor
Dr. Hmwe Hmwe Kyu, Associate Professor
"First, do not let self-doubt limit your opportunities. Earlier in my academic journey, I often assumed that highly competitive opportunities, such as scholarships, were beyond my reach, and as a result, I did not apply for them. During graduate school, my supervisor encouraged me to apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Although I was aware of the award, I had never seriously considered applying because I doubted my chances of success. I ultimately applied at his encouragement, and to my surprise, I received the scholarship. This experience taught me an important lesson: we are often our own greatest barrier. Apply for opportunities even when you feel uncertain, as you may be more qualified than you think.
Second, recognize that your perspective has value. Our lived experiences influence the questions we ask, the problems we notice, and the solutions we imagine. What makes your journey unique may ultimately become the source of your most meaningful contributions."
"Hold doors open, as Pat Schroeder, the first woman elected to the US Congress from Colorado, is known for saying. For example, UW female faculty advocated for an extra year on the promotion and tenure clock after the birth or adoption of a child. Assistant professors have to meet promotion criteria in publication, grantsmanship, and teaching within six years of joining the faculty or they lose their job. Women frequently feel pressured to establish themselves professionally and start a family during the same two busy decades (about one-quarter) of their lives. I’m grateful that I could add two years to the promotion clock at UW and spend time with my infant children.
Pay attention to the small voice in your head. It’s the only source for how you want to spend your precious time, and what you can uniquely contribute.
Think of your PhD as a license to learn. After it’s awarded, you won’t know it all, but you’ll get paid to learn about new problems and create solutions."
Dr. Marcia Weaver, Research Professor
What advice would you give your younger self if you could go back in time?
"Breathe; time brings clarity when you engage life fully (work hard and play hard) and trust your instinct."
Dr. Angela Apeagyei
"The main piece of advice I’d give my younger self is to be intentional about connecting with other researchers—both peers and folks further along in their careers. I’m introverted and this doesn’t come naturally for me, but I’ve benefited so, so much from the expertise and support of the people I’ve been lucky enough to build relationships with. I’d tell my younger self to make a point of doing this, even when it feels uncomfortable, because it’s more than worth it in the end!"
Dr. Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, Associate Professor
Dr. Hmwe Hmwe Kyu
"I would remind my younger self that good intentions and genuine efforts tend to create positive outcomes over time. Even when others discourage you, learn to trust your instincts and inner judgment. I would also emphasize the importance of prioritizing physical and spiritual well-being early in life. Taking care of yourself is not a distraction from success; it is the foundation for it. When you nurture your own well-being, you gain the clarity, resilience, and compassion needed not only to grow personally but also to uplift those around you."
"This isn’t just advice for my younger self, but an ongoing lesson I’m still learning: lean into the art of negotiation. It is not a zero-sum game, but a tool to co-create and generate shared gain. For example:
- Negotiating project target setting and completion: When there are gaps between expectations and feasibility, it’s important to provide clarity on obstacles to find a viable path forward together. The way to negotiate here isn’t just saying, “I cannot do this,” but frame it as “this is what I can do, I will need [specific resources] to help achieve the goals.” The “shared gain” here is a realistic timeline that ensures high-quality delivery without late-stage failures.
- Negotiating sustainable work boundaries: I think everyone recognizes the importance of protecting personal time/priority, be it family time, physical or mental health, to avoid burnout. I recently navigated a work assignment request from a superior. Rather than accepting the assignment schedule that clashed with a prior family commitment, I negotiated for an alternative schedule. While upward negotiation can feel a bit uncomfortable sometimes, being able to protect my priority helps me deliver consistent, high-quality performance over the longer term. Ultimately, negotiation is about understanding what you bring to the table to help yourself and others achieve a common goal, meanwhile allowing others to help you as well.
It is important to note that the prerequisite for gaining leverage and negotiation power is the consistent demonstration of a strong work ethic and commitment. Ultimately, negotiation cannot happen effectively without a foundation of trust. Trust is not an entitlement, it is earned."
Dr. Marie Ng
"It will be OK, even if you can’t foresee how. As my classmates accepted tenure-track jobs in economics departments, I knew I didn’t fit that mold. Choosing an alternative path with a post-doc in health economics and work overseas as a technical advisor in health finance made me anxious about my career, and I would have welcomed reassurance. I couldn’t predict that global health would become a major research field, or that IHME would be established in Seattle 25 years later."
Dr. Marcia Weaver