Ying Cao

PhD candidate, Neuroscience

Director of Professional Development, WiSolve Consulting Group

 How long have you been with WiSolve?
I have been with WiSolve for more than one year.

What roles have you held within WiSolve (projects, leadership, committees, etc.)?
I have served as a consultant on a client project and as an organizing committee member for MHCC.

What motivated you to join WiSolve?
I joined WiSolve to explore career paths beyond academia while leveraging my scientific training.

What are your current career goals?
I aim to stay close to science and the life sciences while focusing on solving practical, decision-relevant problems, particularly at the intersection of research, healthcare, and strategy.

What skills have you developed or strengthened through WiSolve?
Through WiSolve, I have strengthened core consulting skills such as structured problem framing, hypothesis-driven analysis, and clear communication of insights. I have also developed project management and leadership skills by coordinating teams, setting timelines, and driving workstreams forward.

What has been your most rewarding or meaningful experience with WiSolve so far?
Co-organizing the Midwest Healthcare Case Competition has been especially rewarding. Working with a cross-functional team to execute a large-scale event gave me a strong sense of ownership and allowed me to view case problems from both a participant and organizer perspective.