Katie E. Yoest, Ph.D., CMPPTM
Medical Communications Expert
I’m Katie Yoest, a bench-trained neuroscientist turned science communicator.
I have a passion for translating clinical data into meaningful storytelling.
Experience
Associate Scientific Director, Virgo Health | November 2025-Present
I provide scientific and strategic direction across a range of medical communications workstreams, with a focus on peer-to-peer promotional communications in oncology. I love the part of this work that sits at the intersection of science and strategy — translating complex data into scientifically rigorous, compliant materials for clinical audiences, partnering with medical, legal, and regulatory reviewers to bring those materials through approval, and contributing to the bigger-picture communications planning that shapes how industry science reaches physicians. I also support KOL advisory boards and have become known on my team for bringing generative AI into the scientific workflow thoughtfully — using it to improve the quality of deliverables while keeping scientific rigor, and the human voice, front and center.
Associate Scientific Director, Fingerpaint Medical (Formerly MedThink SciCom) | January 2025-November 2025
Senior Medical Writer | July 2023-January 2025
Medical Writer | May 2022-July 2023
Over almost four years, I grew from Medical Writer to Associate Scientific Director, serving as a scientific lead across therapeutic areas including neurology and oncology/hematology. I developed the full range of scientific communications deliverables — from peer-reviewed manuscripts and congress materials to scientific platforms, field medical resources, and digital tactics. A lot of my work centered on publication strategy: facilitating cross-functional planning workshops, translating scientific priorities into a cohesive publication plan, and guiding individual publications from concept through to publication in close collaboration with authors and internal stakeholders. Along the way I mentored junior writers and became a scientific partner clients could rely on to navigate complex, fast-moving programs.
Education
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship | 2018-2022
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Ph.D. in Psychology (Biopsychology) | 2013-2018
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
B.S. in Biopsychology | 2009-2013
Wagner College, Staten Island, NY
Certifications
ISMPP Certified Medical Publications ProfessionalTM | 2024-Present
The CMPPTM credential certifies expertise in the field of medical publications, including deep knowledge of Good Publication Practices and other standards for dissemination of clinical publications.
Veeva Vault PromoMats Review and Approval Certification | 2025-Present
The Veeva Vault PromoMats certification validates proficiency in the industry-standard platform for managing promotional and medical content through compliant, regulated review and approval workflows.
About Me
A born-and-raised New Englander, I moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2013 to pursue my Ph.D. at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and then made the short trip north to East Lansing to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at Michigan State University. I now live in Lansing, Michigan with my husband, Charlie, and two cats, Bagel and Cream Cheese. We love spending time camping by the lakes (Superior is our personal favorite) but I’ll always be partial to the ocean. I’m a self-proclaimed morning person, Real Housewives expert, and reigning fantasy football champion.
