Dr. Angela M. Nilius, Med Tech '79
Distinguished Alumna inClinical Laboratory Science Award
College of Health Sciences
Distinguished Alumna in
Clinical Laboratory Science Award
Dr. Angela M. Nilius, Med Tech '79
What do home chemistry sets and the global battle against HIV/AIDS have in common? Ask Dr. Angela Nilius. She received a chemistry set at age 9 and decided then and there to become a scientist. Now she's on the front lines directing Abbott's global project team for HIV drugs.
"The ability to support Abbott's research activities in this field is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility," says Angela, who has a master's degree in microbiology and a doctorate in pathology. "I can combine my desire to make an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases with my love of medical science."
Angela leads two global project teams and the corresponding therapeutic area medical groups at Abbott. She got her start at the company as a senior scientist researching agents useful in treating bacterial and fungal infections. Before joining Abbott, she was a research technologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a civilian scientist at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago.
Angela's philosophy for success is threefold: "Add value to any role you're assigned, be open to opportunities to learn and grow, and know that your work makes a real difference in patients' lives."
Marquette, Angela says, "showed me how science links up directly with patient care and taught me impeccable laboratory skills." More important, "Marquette gave me the tools to think about and speak openly of the ethical considerations surrounding what I and my teams do on a daily basis."
Fun facts about Angela
Her favorite place on campus to study, socialize and relax with friends: As a commuter, she hung out watching Happy Days in the union and spent lots of time in the library waiting for her car pool members to finish class.
