At the age of 16, Bridget Yates lost her first role model when her grandmother died due to complications with Alzheimer’s disease. It was the second death she experienced in a two-week span.
“My grandmother was strong, independent and vocal. Watching her go from a vibrant, strong-willed, fierce woman through the stages of anger and cognitive decline was destabilizing and traumatic, to say the least,” recounts Bridget. “Her illness and eventual passing profoundly impacted my perspective, leading to a pivotal shift in my focus and setting my trajectory pointing straight towards medicine.”
That loss sparked new beginnings. Soon after, she started working at Stanford Hospital, a place where her scientific curiosity could flourish, and she could start her journey towards making positive contributions through her research.
This month marks 12 years at BioMarin for Bridget, a milestone she attributes to her passion for science and the power of purpose. We spoke with the Director, Enzymes and Metabolic Research, about her career journey for our employee profile series, “The DNA of BioMarin,” which draws inspiration from the four bases of DNA – A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine), and G (guanine) – by asking employees to reflect on the role of Aspiration, Translation, Connection, and Gratitude in their work.
Bridget currently leads a team of scientists and research associates focused on developing new therapeutic approaches for rare genetic metabolic conditions. Learn more about how her passion and experience drive her to combine research with patient advocacy to develop therapies for patient communities.