Ask Acumen

Liz Hewston

IT Systems Engineer

How long have you been with Acumen?

I have been with Acumen for a year now. This is the first time I have been in the pharmaceutical industry, and it has been an exciting adventure.

What excites you most about the work you do at Acumen?

I really enjoy working together on a small team that is working to find a treatment for a disease that affects so many families. In the world today, you are hard pressed to find someone that hasn’t been directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease and to be a part of this team and have the opportunity to watch and learn has been phenomenal. Everyone here at Acumen shows tremendous passion, determination, and empathy in their work internally and externally.

Which of Acumen’s four values (People, Integrity, Innovation, and Perseverance) resonates most with your work and role?

I believe the value that resonates the most with my work as an IT Systems Engineer is Integrity. I have the responsibility to help maintain and protect our resources and assets.

From your perspective, what sets our company apart in the field of Alzheimer’s research?

The passion and teamwork I’ve seen here at Acumen. I have never worked with a group of individuals who show so much love for the work they do every day. It really is inspiring to hear their individual stories about how they found themselves at Acumen and I think that is what gives Acumen the edge we need to accomplish our goals.

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How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance while being deeply committed to your work and the mission of the company?

I love to take a break and go for a walk in the middle of the day. Being out in nature, breathing fresh air, and getting plenty of sunlight helps refresh my brain and body to tackle the challenges of the day in both work and home life.

What is a quote that is meaningful to you and why?

The quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave behind a trail” has always resonated with me and I believe it is a perfect quote for Acumen as well. It’s important to not follow the same path as others or you are likely to get the same outcome. I like to challenge myself, forge a new path, find adventure, and see where it takes me. It doesn’t always work well in my favor but that’s an invaluable learning experience. I believe this quote fits right in at Acumen because we are working to forge our own path in Alzheimer’s research, and we are working diligently to make the path behind us one that families can walk down easier and less painful.

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Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your free time?

I am a fantasy nerd outside of work. I love diving into fantasy worlds by either books, tv-shows, movies, or games. I also love to travel and experience new cultures. Fully immersing myself in the cuisines, museums, and lifestyles of different areas of the world just opens your eyes and allows you to expand your knowledge of the world.

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