Biotech Speaker Series Features a Tufts Alum’s Journey Outside Academia

As demonstrated by Atsuko Polzin, GBS01, sometimes a scientist’s skills are most valuable outside the lab. Polzin, Senior Vice President and Head of Intellectual Property at Scholar Rock, may have switched gears from academia, but she has stayed true to her “science heart” through her career in patent law.  

“Historically, science graduate students wanting to pursue careers outside of academia often hesitated to openly discuss their goals,” Polzin said. “It’s taken generations to shift the culture, but it's now becoming widely accepted that there are many successful paths and opportunities for a scientist beyond academic research.” 

Polzin received her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Tufts University, where she studied how specific types of proteins affect the way that neurons communicate with each other. Following her postdoctoral training, she decided to pursue patent law.  

“A part of what I enjoyed about research was the writing, and I knew I wanted to do something more writing-focused,” Polzin reflected.  

This led her to her first role outside of academia as a technology specialist at Wolf Greenfield, a Boston-based intellectual property (IP) law firm. As she worked during the day, she also attended law school at Suffolk University paid for by her employer, a common career path to obtaining a law degree that she noted a majority of her peers also took. She transitioned to a general practice law firm to learn more about how IP interacts with other areas of law, practicing at Choate, Hall and Stewart, where she leveraged her scientific expertise to help shape and guide intellectual property for a number of biopharmaceutical and academic clients. 

Polzin emphasized that her science background was critical for her work and career trajectory, as understanding the complex science allowed her to pinpoint how companies could make, for instance, a useful antibody that differed from what already exists. 

“Neuroscience in particular is a broad field that can be studied on many different scales, from cellular to molecular, systems, psychological, and computational, just to name a few,” Polzin said. Because she was consistently learning about something new through her own research, it allowed her to take on the challenge of strategizing and drafting patents about research and technology she had never encountered. In her current role, Polzin helps to shape Scholar Rock’s global strategies for its IP and business goals.  

Polzin offered some advice to students interested in a similar path, highlighting that professional relationships are critical to shaping one’s career and future. She feels comfortable calling colleagues and peers for their perspectives, some she met even decades ago. Polzin noted that learning from others is a great way to expand your own knowledge. “You want to be surrounded by smarter people who challenge you,” Polzin said. “That is the best way to learn and grow.”  

Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company combining bold science and with a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference for people living with serious diseases, taking a proactive approach to human health. Polzin became the Head of Intellectual Property in 2016 and has held vice president leadership roles since 2019.  

The Biotechnology Industry Series, sponsored by the School of Engineering Dean’s Office, features top biotechnology professionals who share insights into potential career paths in the field. Stay tuned for more events.