Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                FDA STEM Outreach, Education and Engagement

FDA STEM Outreach, Education and Engagement

                        FDA Celebrates National STEM Day
          Meet the Faces Behind FDA Science
          FDA Annual Student Scientific Research Day 2023
          FDA Annual Student Scientific Research Day 2022
          FDA Annual Student Scientific Research Day 2021


                        FDA STEM Engagement Home
          Science & Research
          FDA STEM Outreach, Education and Engagement
          CDR Samantha Spindel, PhD, MEng, Engineering Branch ChiefFDA STEM Outreach, Education and Engagement CDR Samantha Spindel, PhD, MEng, Engineering Branch Chief
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    Print*“FDA has a unique and important mission. No other federal agency is tasked with making decisions about which medical or tobacco products can enter the U.S. market.”*—CDR Samantha Spindel, PhD, MEng, Engineering Branch Chief, Office of Science, Center for Tobacco Products

Photo of Samantha Spindel

**Q: Why did you seek a career at FDA?**

**Samantha Spindel:** After working on theoretical projects during my undergraduate and graduate training, I wanted to do something "real" and worthwhile that could have a positive impact on others. I was drawn to the mission of FDA to protect and promote public health. I am also an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and am grateful for the opportunity to serve in different roles such as during deployment to regions of the U.S. hit by hurricanes.

**Q: What does FDA offer that you can't find elsewhere?**

**SS:** FDA has a unique and important mission. No other federal agency is tasked with making decisions about which medical or tobacco products can enter the U.S. market. Additionally, as an officer in the Commissioned Corps at FDA, I have the privilege of carrying out the objectives set by our government when responding to major public health threats.

**Q: What do you value most about working at FDA?**

**SS:** What I value most about working at FDA is the chance to play a small part in addressing major public health issues. It takes many people and a lot of concerted effort to accomplish tasks as significant as creating new regulations and developing new research projects.  It is an honor to be a part of an organization that can positively affect the lives of all Americans.

**Q: What surprises you most about working at FDA?**

**SS:** I continue to be surprised by the diversity of the staff who work at FDA. I believe that FDA is able to make more informed decisions because we take into account input from staff who have experience in industry, academia, and the non-profit sector.  FDA also employs staff who come from areas all around the U.S. and other countries. This wealth of experience and training affords us the opportunity to consider various internal viewpoints, in addition to the viewpoints of the public, before making decisions.

**Q: How is science conducted at FDA different from science conducted at NIH (or other federal agencies), academia, or industry?**

**SS:** FDA’s mission differs from that of NIH, academia, or industry in that everything we do is grounded in statutory mandates and regulations as opposed to conducting basic research, creating products, or researching scientific areas that may not lead to helping create policies to benefit public health.

**Q: What piece of advice would you give to an FDA job seeker?**

**SS:** FDA gives you an opportunity to contribute to a worthy mission—protecting, promoting, and advancing public health. The agency is also supportive of work/life balance and offers flexible work schedules to accommodate this priority.

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      08/29/2019FDA STEM Outreach, Education and Engagement

          
                        FDA Celebrates National STEM Day
          Meet the Faces Behind FDA Science
          FDA Annual Student Scientific Research Day 2023
          FDA Annual Student Scientific Research Day 2022
          FDA Annual Student Scientific Research Day 2021


                        FDA STEM Engagement
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop