Advisor in the TDA Rotational Development Program at Eli Lilly and Company

Mar 03, 2026

What is your current job title and, in a few words, please tell us what it is that you do? Bashir Ali, PhD, is an Advisor in the TDA Rotational Development Program at Eli Lilly and Company. His current role is Cardiometabolic Health Clinical Design Trial Lead focusing on the design of global Phase 3 clinical trials in chronic weight management.

What is the highest degree you have earned and what can you tell us about your academic path?

I earned my Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UC Santa Barbara, where I was supported by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. My dissertation was on basic science research in protein biochemistry but it taught me how to ask hard questions, handle ambiguity, and push through when experiments don't cooperate. By the end of graduate school, I had developed a passion for translating science into real-world impact which led me to explore careers in pharma.

Where do you work now and what is your company about?

I work at Eli Lilly and Company, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies laser-focused on discovering and delivering medicines that make life better for people around the world.

How did you first learn about the company?

I first learned about Lilly at the SMDP Biotech conference in San Diego, where I met colleagues who spoke highly of the company.

What do you like most about the company?

The people and the relentless mission to deliver life-saving medicines to patients in need faster than ever before. What really sets Lilly apart is that they genuinely want you to find your best fit across the enterprise and you're encouraged to explore, learn, and build a career around where you can make the most meaningful impact.

What skills make you successful in your role and why did you choose this role?

Cross-functional thinking, learning agility, and influencing without authority are what I lean on most. My current role sits at the intersection of many functions in drug development, so being able to speak the language of scientists, clinicians, and business stakeholders alike is essential. I chose this path because I wanted to challenge myself and use my scientific training to have a real impact on patients. Designing clinical trials feels like one of the most concrete ways a scientist can do that.

How do you define success?

Success to me means making decisions today that positively impact the most people in the years to come.

What's the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

Being part of a team that develops medicines that could genuinely change someone's life. Drug development is slow and humbling, but knowing that there are patients out there who are betting on our success keeps me motivated.

What advice do you have for students and job seekers?

Don't wait until you feel "ready" to take a risk in jumping into a new field; I think readiness is built through doing, not waiting. Be intentional about expanding your network beyond your immediate field, because biotech and pharma reward people who can connect dots across disciplines.

What book did you read last?

The last book I read was Be Your Own Leadership Coach by Karen Stein.