We are pleased to feature Jasmin Brown, Senior Administrative Assistant for our Clinical Research Program, in this edition of our Administrative Staff Spotlight series.
Jasmin joined our department in 2022, bringing with her a diverse background and a strong commitment to supporting clinical research. In her current role, she provides vital administrative support to our Research Division, working across multiple internal and National Institutes of Health-funded studies. Her responsibilities range from coordinating schedules and managing office supplies to handling clinical trial randomizations, recording and transcribing meetings, and monitoring cryofreezer temperature data critical to blood sample preservation.
Before joining our department, Jasmin held administrative positions at Alpha Professional Solutions in Philadelphia and at several University of Pittsburgh offices, including the University Store on Fifth and the University Art Gallery. She also contributed to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) as a Fine Foundation Museum Studies Intern and Community Engagement Liaison.
Jasmin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh, with minors in Museum Studies and Economics.
We invite you to get to know Jasmin better through the Q&A below.
Where are you from?
I’m from (West) Philadelphia. However, I also spent a lot of time with my grandma in South Jersey right across the bridge, and in the suburbs of Philly where I went to high school.
How long have you been working in your current position in our department?
I’ve been here two and a half years.
Tell us briefly about your job/role in the dept.
Essentially, my job is to support everyone! As the Senior Administrative Assistant for the Research Division, my main tasks are scheduling internal and external study meetings, taking minutes for said meetings, assisting with order and IT requests, and onboarding incoming employees. I also assist both Dr. Grace Lim and Dr. Kimberly Howard-Quijano with their calendars.
Who or what inspires you, and why?
This year I have dedicated myself to radical change. Learning what I want from life and becoming who I want to be when I grow up inspires me to take risks :)
What has been your proudest professional accomplishment so far in your career?
One of my proudest accomplishments has been learning to trust my own abilities and recognize the value I bring in supporting our department. I was 23 when I started working here and I’m 26 now. As I’ve matured, I’ve become more confident in both my professional and personal life. I still have a long way to go, but this confidence has helped me become more efficient within my role.
What has been your proudest personal accomplishment?
As mentioned earlier, dedicating myself to self-improvement. I’ve had to make some tough decisions this year in particular, which took me way out of my comfort zone, but ultimately this has helped me in both the short and long term.
Who have been your most significant mentors throughout your career and/or life and why?
I must give credit to my entire village for helping me become the person I am today! My family and friends have shown me nothing but love while I carve out my path. I don’t know what I’d do without them!
Are there any professional or personal skills you’re currently working on that you can tell us about?
Professionally, I’m working on improving my multitasking skills. There are many moving parts to the department, and I have lots of people depending on me! Keeping a running list of daily tasks, categorizing ongoing tasks with high, medium, and low importance, along with a running list of all tasks completed weekly has saved my life!
What might the department be surprised to know about you?
One thing the department may be surprised to learn is that I had no prior experience in the medical field before beginning to work here. This is my second professional position out of college. I majored in anthropology and minored in museum studies and economics. My first job was a temporary position at the CMNH after a summer internship there. My career path took an unexpected turn due to the impact of the COVID pandemic on museum funding nationwide. While I originally planned to stay in the museum field, that shift opened the door to this opportunity.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy reading Japanese manga and spending time with friends in the park, having a meal, or watching and cackling at terrible horror movies.
How do you balance your work and personal life?
Honestly, I’m still working on this one! I do, however, carve out time during my personal time for both socializing and alone time to recharge and prep for the work week.
What advice would you give to new administrative staff joining our department?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how simple they seem or even if you (think you) already know the answer! I was hesitant of this at first as the physicians and staff I work with are very busy, but it’s always better to check beforehand rather than putting time and effort into something that needs multiple changes and back and forth communication.
Also, write things down. Take notes on everything. OneNote is your best friend!