My guest for Episode #304 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Tia Warrick, a clinical research leader, epidemiologist, author, and entrepreneur who has spent nearly a decade working in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

She’s the founder of Lesous Consulting, a firm dedicated to supporting clinical research professionals and organizations through education, business analytics, and strategic consulting. With a strong academic background—including a doctorate in health science and clinical health education—Dr. Warrick is committed to empowering the next generation of researchers and bringing more awareness to the vast career opportunities within clinical research.

In this episode, Dr. Warrick shares her "favorite mistake"—not speaking up for herself early in her career. She candidly reflects on a time when she took on significantly more responsibilities than her job description called for but hesitated to advocate for a promotion or raise. Her story highlights how staying silent led to missed opportunities and feelings of frustration. But more importantly, she explains how learning to take accountability and find her voice ultimately fueled her confidence, career progression, and entrepreneurial path.

We also explore the broader challenges and opportunities within the clinical research industry, especially for early-career professionals who may not realize the variety of roles available. Dr. Warrick discusses the importance of mentorship, the need for greater visibility into clinical research career paths, and her motivation for writing Burst the Bubble, a book designed to inform and inspire future talent in the pharmaceutical world. She also touches on how she now teaches others to confidently advocate for themselves—whether during salary negotiations or while shaping their career direction.