ASHLEY STROUGO
Quantitative Researcher, Project Manager And Social Justice Advocate
Leiden
Summary
Experienced researcher with a PhD in Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology and over 20 years of pharmaceutical R&D expertise, currently seeking opportunities to advance health equity through interdisciplinary research. Skilled in translating complex data into actionable insights that inform inclusive policies and practices, mentoring students and professionals, and engaging diverse stakeholders. I have led and contributed to numerous multi-stakeholder projects-including consortia, public-private partnerships, and collaborations with patient organizations-always with a strong focus on promoting health equity and addressing discrimination. Passionate about bridging clinical science with social justice and fostering cultural sensitivity in all aspects of my work.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
5
5
Languages
Work History
Visiting Researcher
Utrecht University
07.2025 - 10.2025
- Company Overview: European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations (ERCOMER)
- Investigate how skin color influences experiences of discrimination in the Netherlands, advancing national dialogue on racial equity and social inclusion.
- Employ advanced statistical methods to assess the impact of skin color relative to migration background-the primary demographic marker in national statistics-demonstrating its added value in understanding systemic bias.
Coordinator "A million conversations" initiative (Internal Assignment)
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
10.2024 - 06.2025
- Company Overview: A Million Conversations (sanofi.com)
- Analyzed responses from over 20,000 participants to uncover key drivers of trust and mistrust in healthcare systems across diverse populations.
- Drafted a manuscript highlighting structural barriers and enabling factors, contributing to thought leadership on rebuilding health trust - currently under submission.
- Developed a strategic internal plan to make the dataset publicly accessible and actionable for external stakeholders-including academics, NGOs, and policymakers-positioning it as a catalyst for systemic change.
- Proposed recommendations for future engagement and dissemination, aimed at fostering cross-sector collaboration and informing inclusive health policy reform.
Co-lead Global Employee Resource Group (ERG) Culture & Origins (Internal Assignment)
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
07.2024 - 06.2025
- Company Overview: Sanofi's Employee Resource Groups: Promoting Diversity| Sanofi
- Stepped into a loosely structured global ERG and established a governance model with a core leadership team and 20+ local leads across regions.
- Strengthened alignment with Sanofi's Global DE&I team and external advisory boards to embed cultural inclusion into corporate strategy.
- Oversaw regional programming to ensure cultural relevance and operational consistency across diverse geographies.
- Defined three strategic pillars-cultural awareness, professional development, and inclusive advocacy focused on race-conscious drug development-and established dedicated working groups to design and implement initiatives under each.
- Launched a global campaign to challenge cultural misconceptions, with the first session focused on the use of the hijab and its intersection with identity and inclusion.
Co-founder, co-lead, ERG International Network
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
10.2015 - 06.2025
- Co-founded and scaled a global grassroots network supporting 300+ internationally diverse employees across multiple business units and countries.
- Led initiatives to bridge language and cultural barriers, fostering integration of globally mobile talent into core business activities and company culture.
- Advocated for structural change to improve inclusion, influencing internal policies and practices that support diverse talent pipelines and equitable career progression.
- Sustained a decade-long commitment to cross-cultural belonging, positioning the network as a strategic partner in Sanofi's global DE&I efforts.
Europe Lead Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials (Internal Assignment)
SANOFI
02.2024 - 08.2024
- Company Overview: Diversity in Clinical Trials | Sanofi
- Appointed as the inaugural European lead to establish inclusive research practices across the region.
- Developed a data-informed strategy to enhance trial representation, engaging RealWorld Evidence (RWE), regulatory, and clinical operations experts to address gaps in race-based data.
- Built a cross-functional working group and designed country-specific qualitative research to gather insights from patient organizations and clinical investigators.
- Contributed to the development of global internal policy on inclusive trial design, shaping long-term corporate standards.
Childhood Cancer Program Lead
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
06.2021 - 02.2024
- Company Overview: Innovation for Vulnerable Communities (sanofi.com)
- Appointed as the inaugural lead for Sanofi's flagship CSR initiative on childhood cancer, tasked with designing and launching the program from concept to execution.
- Defined strategic goals, governance frameworks, and key performance indicators to guide implementation and measure societal impact.
- Partnered with academic centers and internal R&D teams to establish infrastructure for pediatric therapeutic development, aligning corporate responsibility with scientific innovation.
- Played a key role in the sustainability efforts of the ITCC-P4 public-private partnership, funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), focused on accelerating pediatric cancer drug development.
- Developed communication and education strategies to engage internal stakeholders, advocacy groups, and healthcare professionals, enhancing visibility and trust.
- Positioned the program as a model for socially responsible innovation, laying the foundation for future CSR initiatives and contributing to Sanofi's global impact narrative.
- Innovation for Vulnerable Communities (sanofi.com)
Member, Sanofi's Pediatric Network
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
10.2015 - 06.2023
- Co-led pediatric learning initiatives across multiple business units, producing a comprehensive playbook in collaboration with the Learning & Development team to standardize best practices.
- Identified systemic gaps in pediatric drug development and proactively championed organizational changes to improve access to innovation and age-appropriate formulations-despite the work falling outside formal role scope.
- Advocated for cross-functional alignment and long-term investment in pediatric research, contributing to strategic discussions on clinical design, formulation challenges, and regulatory engagement.
- Sustained a career-long commitment to advancing pediatric health equity, positioning the network as a catalyst for inclusive innovation within Sanofi's global R&D ecosystem.
Head Modeling & Simulation Germany
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
01.2018 - 05.2021
- Led and mentored a multidisciplinary team of PhD-level scientists and computer engineers, cultivating a collaborative culture that fostered innovation and supported professional development.
- Initiated and promoted cross-departmental internship programs, providing guidance to junior researchers and encouraging exploration of new scientific domains.
- Supervised and supported numerous bachelor students during their graduation internships, facilitating hands-on learning and research skill development.
- Managed end-to-end project lifecycles, from strategy development to execution, ensuring on-time delivery and achieving exceptional results recognized by leadership and regulatory agencies.
- Identified and implemented process improvements, optimizing workflows to enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall impact. Part of this work was highlighted in a scientific manuscript on the use of LaTeX (see reference list Frank et al).
Translation Medicine Lead, late phase project in Diabetes
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
04.2018 - 01.2020
- Led cross-functional teams of app. 10 experts in clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical operations, and modeling & simulation, developing a cohesive strategy for the project team.
- Oversaw and ensured timely execution of key activities related to early development, aligning cross-functional efforts with project timelines.
- Played a pivotal role in regulatory success, with clinical pharmacology input, contributing to the successful submission of the project.
Modeling & Simulation Lead, Late phase project in Diabetes
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Led cross-functional teams of app. 10 data analysts, synthesizing complex datasets into a clear, unified narrative for the Translational Medicine team.
- Integrated diverse modeling approaches, transforming intricate analyses into actionable insights to guide strategic decision-making.
- Contributed to regulatory approval, with data-driven analyses playing a role in the successful submission of the project.
Chair, Clinical Pharmacology Pediatric Working Group
IQ Consortium
09.2016 - 04.2018
- Revitalized a small, understructured working group into a high-impact forum with expanded membership, including 20+ experts from leading pharmaceutical companies, active FDA contributors, and ad-hoc EMA engagement.
- Unified cross-industry expertise to advance pediatric extrapolation strategies and shape regulatory thinking on age-inclusive drug development.
- Delivered the group's key outputs: two peer-reviewed publications and a preconference session at ASCPT, significantly elevating visibility and influence in the pediatric drug development field.
Expert in Clinical Pharmacometrics
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
10.2015 - 12.2017
- Designed, executed, and communicated population (PK-)PD analyses, ensuring robust data interpretation and strategic decision-making.
- Organized and facilitated knowledge-sharing meetings for PK-PD scientists, fostering collaboration and continuous learning.
- Led the development and implementation of process improvements, optimizing operations and enhancing productivity which later resulted in a scientific manuscript on the use of LaTeX (as abovementioned).
Senior Manager Pharmacokinetics, Modeling & Simulation
Astellas Pharmaceuticals
04.2011 - 07.2015
- Designed, executed, and communicated population (PK-)PD analyses, providing critical insights for drug development.
- Organized and led knowledge-sharing meetings for PK-PD scientists, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Specialized in pediatric drug development, contributing to the advancement of various therapies for children.
Scientist Pharmacokinetics, Modeling & Simulation
Astellas Pharmaceuticals
07.2007 - 04.2011
- Designed, executed, and communicated population (PK-)PD analyses, providing critical insights for drug development.
- Organized and led knowledge-sharing meetings for PK-PD scientists, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Specialized in pediatric drug development, contributing to the advancement of various therapies for children.
PK-PD Consultant
LAP&P
06.2005 - 06.2007
- Designed, executed, and communicated population (PK-)PD analyses, providing critical insights for drug development of major pharmaceutical companies.
Education
Summer course - Global Health Ethics & Equity
UTRECHT UNIVERSITY
07.2025
Doctor in Philosophy - Pharmacometrics
LEIDEN UNIVERSITY
01.2015
Master of Sciences - Biopharmaceutical Sciences
LEIDEN UNIVERSITY
01.2005
Technical degree - Pharmacy assistant
ALBEDA COLLEGE
01.2003
Bachelor - pharmacy
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO
01.2001
Skills
Advanced Data Analysis & Modeling
Quantitative and Programming Skills
Non-linear mixed effects models, binary logistic regression, ordinal logistic regression, linear regression, time-to-event analysis, random forests, principal component analysis, structural equation modeling, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.
Proficient in R (including R Markdown); basic knowledge of LaTeX and FORTRAN
Timeline
Visiting Researcher
Utrecht University
07.2025 - 10.2025
Coordinator "A million conversations" initiative (Internal Assignment)
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
10.2024 - 06.2025
Co-lead Global Employee Resource Group (ERG) Culture & Origins (Internal Assignment)
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
07.2024 - 06.2025
Europe Lead Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials (Internal Assignment)
SANOFI
02.2024 - 08.2024
Childhood Cancer Program Lead
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
06.2021 - 02.2024
Translation Medicine Lead, late phase project in Diabetes
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
04.2018 - 01.2020
Head Modeling & Simulation Germany
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
01.2018 - 05.2021
Chair, Clinical Pharmacology Pediatric Working Group
IQ Consortium
09.2016 - 04.2018
Modeling & Simulation Lead, Late phase project in Diabetes
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
01.2016 - 01.2020
Co-founder, co-lead, ERG International Network
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
10.2015 - 06.2025
Member, Sanofi's Pediatric Network
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
10.2015 - 06.2023
Expert in Clinical Pharmacometrics
Sanofi Pharmaceuticals
10.2015 - 12.2017
Senior Manager Pharmacokinetics, Modeling & Simulation
Astellas Pharmaceuticals
04.2011 - 07.2015
Scientist Pharmacokinetics, Modeling & Simulation
Astellas Pharmaceuticals
07.2007 - 04.2011
PK-PD Consultant
LAP&P
06.2005 - 06.2007
Doctor in Philosophy - Pharmacometrics
LEIDEN UNIVERSITY
Master of Sciences - Biopharmaceutical Sciences
LEIDEN UNIVERSITY
Technical degree - Pharmacy assistant
ALBEDA COLLEGE
Summer course - Global Health Ethics & Equity
UTRECHT UNIVERSITY
Bachelor - pharmacy
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO
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