This month we are talking to Dr, Dorothee Stanneck, Head of Global Clinical Development.
Hi Dr. Stanneck, can you tell us about what you do in your job?
Of course. Good scientific data is important to show how a new medicine or treatment helps an animal. The science must meet clear regulations and establish that a product is both safe and effective. As the head of Global Clinical Development, I manage the team that runs our clinical trials around the world to ensure they are designed and done in the best way possible. These clinical trials are the proof demanded by the governments for registration of new products. Additionally we veterinarians in Global Clinical Development are the voice of our veterinary colleagues in the field, of farmers, pet owners and animals when Bayer Animal Health is thinking about new products, paths and solutions for the future.
How did you get to Animal Health?
I did my doctoral thesis in veterinary medicine with Bayer and then joined the company directly as a clinical development manager. This was 22 years ago. In that time, my job has evolved and changed, but I’ve always stayed in clinical development. Sometimes people ask why I find development so intriguing and I think it is due to the constant change. Products start out as scientific projects in a laboratory, and over time they develop, grow and change. Some of them are proven successful and become products that help veterinarians and farmers. And others don’t make it that far. But regardless, the clinical development process remains engaging and fascinating in all parts of the world.
What do you like about working in Clinical Development in Animal Health at Bayer?
Working in animal health is incredibly rewarding because of the goal – your work helps animals. This is a noble goal and one that I feel strongly about. The field of clinical development is engaging because of the science and the scope. Science is always evolving and changing, and this is incredible. And the scope of our work here touches every part of the world, which makes it both challenging, but also quite fun. Now coming to the topic of Bayer, I can say that working here is special. People from other companies often comment Bayer has a special culture. It is different here. Employees are valued and appreciated, and this is seen in our day to day actions. We have a scientific focused culture with very high ethical standards. It’s simply a great place to be.
Lastly, I very much appreciate the diversity in our company. As a vet, I was trained to understand interspecies communications. Here in international clinical development, I see another version of that – intercultural communications in one species. This intercultural richness enhances our perspectives and contributes to our achievements as a team. This is fascinating.
Bayer’s motto is Science for a Better Life – how do you contribute to this?
The work of my team directly contributes to our goal at Bayer. Clinical development is necessary for the “science” that contributes to a better life for animals and people. It is this science that provides the reliable, proven data that we share with the world.
Do you have a pet?
A pet? As a vet you can imagine I have multiple. I have two lovely Egyptian Arabian horses (Ghana and Esfahan), a clever Pony mare for my daughter (Luna) and our youngster, a Spanish Cartujano stallion for my husband (Poseido). Then we have a tiny Italian Greyhound (Hermes), two rabbits (Hasi and Sally), three nameless, very aged canary birds and most probably a number of also nameless spiders hiding peacefully in the corners of our home.
Thank you to Dr. Dorothee Stannek for sharing the story of her work at Bayer HealthCare Animal Health.
Bayer Animal Health 