As Beam Therapeutics’ research and development creates new technology to benefit patients with liver conditions, Amy Chavis (B.S.’14, M.S.’16) serves as the bridge between the company’s labs and treatment facilities across the world. Chavis is the senior manager of manufacturing sciences and technology leading a team of engineers in Raleigh, N.C., to mass produce in vivo liver treatments.

Chavis is an alumna of the Department of Physics’ bachelor’s and master’s programs. Armed with a love of math and a confidence that she will figure out a problem even if doesn’t have a clear starting point, she jokes that after completing graduate level homework for her electromagnetism class, no problem at work will prove as challenging.

What drew you to VCU to study physics?

My love of math. This has always been my strongest skill and physics is certainly the best way to apply a love of math to our world. I was lucky, as a Richmond native, that VCU offered physics as a major with graduate options.

Was there a faculty member who made a particular impact on your education and/or career journey? How so?

Joseph Reiner, Ph.D., served as my advisor in the Department of Physics and was impactful in not only how I presented myself during the post-graduation job search, but also how I function in my career today. Dr. Reiner exhibits passion and enthusiasm in everything he does, from his research, to teaching, to leadership within the department. I strived to adopt these traits and they shined through during post-grad interviews successfully leading to my first job offer.

Tell me about your current role at Beam Therapeutics. What does your day-to-day look like?

I am a senior manager of manufacturing sciences and technology at Beam Therapeutics and lead for technology transfer of in vivo liver programs. Our research and development teams in Cambridge, Mass., work to develop technologies that can support single point base editing using non-viral lipid nanoparticles for direct in vivo delivery (Editor’s note: in layman’s terms, these technologies are being designed to enhance the treatment process of correcting disease-causing mutations in patient’s livers). When the technology is considered ready for the next phase of production, I lead the transfer to our clinical manufacturing facility in Durham, N.C., for scale up and production until it is ready for patient use. 

My day-to-day is dynamic and includes cross-functional collaboration, driving technical decisions at site level, representing my site at global level, and supporting a team of four full-time engineers as a people leader.

How did the curriculum in the Department of Physics prepare you for your professional work?

Robert H. Gowdy, Ph.D., used to say that in his first job he was hired as an analyst, which was effectively just a designated “smart person.” I think this holds true in how he shaped the department and how Dr. Reiner continues to uphold its standards. We were taught how to think, not just do. 

I’m often tasked with issues that are complex and I truly have no idea where or even how to start. However, no issue in my current role could possibly be as difficult as staring at your graduate electromagnetism homework that’s due in one day. I’m obviously joking a bit here, but the VCU Department of Physics really did help develop critical thinking skills that I apply to day-to-day activities and problem-solving, knowing that, like my E.M. homework, I will figure it out and I can do hard things.

Through my master’s program, I also completed a significant amount of research, some of which was cross-collaborative with other departments. Not only did I hone my technical writing skills, which has served me well, but I understood early on the power of cross-collaboration towards a common goal.

What’s your why?

My end goal is our patients. Knowing that we can help deliver lifelong cures to patients suffering from serious, genetic diseases is what keeps me motivated every day.