For Stacie Cavallaro, science has always sparked curiosity. That interest first ignited like a Bunsen burner, thanks to a “quirky and fun” high school chemistry teacher, whose enthusiasm made science feel “dynamic, human and full of possibility.”

But after college, her first role in a genomics lab left her wanting more human connection in her daily work.

That led her to healthcare marketing, where she discovered her knack for translating complex information into language people can understand and use. Today, Stacie leads BioMarin’s advocacy work for skeletal conditions – helping the company listen to communities, learn from their experiences and consider their perspectives when making decisions.

Stacie recently shared her reflections for our employee profile series, “The DNA of BioMarin,” which draws inspiration from the four bases of DNA: A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine) and G (guanine) – by asking employees to explore the role of Aspiration, Connection, Translation and Gratitude in their work.

Read more about Stacie, Senior Director, Patient Advocacy Skeletal Conditions, the lessons she’s learned from the skeletal dysplasia community and why connection remains a core tenet of her approach.

ASPIRATION
How did you get your start in the biopharma industry? What do you aspire to accomplish through your work at BioMarin and in your career?

My interest in science began in high school. After college, I worked in a genomics lab in Cambridge, MA, and quickly realized I wasn’t a ‘lab person.’ I craved a role that balanced science with human connection.

That search led me to healthcare marketing – my introduction to biopharma – and I found it incredibly fulfilling. It allowed me to bridge science and communication, helping people make sense of complex information in ways that matter to them.

Today, in advocacy, my aspiration remains clear: ensure that patient communities, especially those impacted by skeletal conditions, have access to credible, understandable information and resources that support them in navigating their healthcare journey. For me, that means creating space to listen, learn and integrate those perspectives into the work we do every day.

CONNECTION
What role does connection play at BioMarin?

In advocacy, connection is everything. Much of our work with the skeletal dysplasia community centers on creating opportunities for people to feel connected – whether that’s to credible information, to resources or to one another. Meeting someone who shares similar experiences can be incredibly powerful, and supporting those moments is deeply rewarding.

That same value of connection exists within BioMarin. In my role helping to lead the People with Disabilities Employee Resource Group, and across teams, I’ve seen how belonging can impact not just how we feel, but how we work. When people feel heard and supported, they bring their whole selves – and their best thinking – to the table.

The relationships I’ve built here over the past seven years have shaped my career in ways I never anticipated. Colleagues who shared their time, challenged my thinking and offered guidance have opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Those connections strengthened my belief that advocacy, particularly in rare skeletal conditions, succeeds only through collaboration – within BioMarin, with community leaders and with families.

GRATITUDE
Tell us about something you’re grateful for in your career, and why.

I’m grateful for the advocates and mentors who believed in me, even when the path wasn’t obvious. My career has never followed a straight line, but the opportunities I’ve had, supported by people who saw potential in me, led me to work that feels deeply meaningful.

I’m also profoundly thankful for the skeletal dysplasia community. So many people have generously shared lessons about inclusion, acceptance and the importance of honest conversation. That trust is a privilege, and it shapes how I approach every decision.

A core lesson I have learned from the community is that true inclusion requires humility, acceptance, patience and a willingness to keep learning from the multiple perspectives of the people closest to the experience.

TRANSLATION
How do you hope your work will translate into impact for the patient communities BioMarin is working to support?

My hope is that patient communities feel informed, supported and seen. Information about rare conditions can be hard to find or hard to understand, and our role is to make it clearer, more relevant and more reflective of lived experiences.

To maximize our impact, it’s imperative that BioMarin is a company that listens and shows up consistently. It’s not only about resources and programs; it’s about relationships and trust. When communities see their voices in our work, that’s when advocacy makes a difference.

Ultimately, I hope we help elevate conversations around the needs of patient communities – making them more informed, inclusive and connected to what people truly need.