Starting her career as a research physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, clinical oncologist Loretta Itri, MD, headed pharmaceutical development departments at large drug manufacturers, including Ortho Biotech, Inc. Outside of her role in clinical research, Dr. Loretta Itri enjoys international travel. She has visited far-off destinations such as South Korea. Less touristy than its neighbors Thailand, China, and Japan, South Korea possesses intriguing culture and natural beauty that attract millions of visitors every year. One of the country’s most popular events is the Lotus Lantern Festival, held annually for more than 1,300 years. The holiday celebrates the Buddha’s birthday, an important date for Korean Buddhists, who make up about 15 percent of the population. From mid-April until early May, illuminated paper lanterns line every street in the capital city of Seoul. During this time, dozens of traditional dance and music performances display the best of Korean culture.
0 Comments
Loretta Itri, MD, has spent over two decades in the pharmaceutical and research industry. Beyond her professional accomplishments in oncology, Dr. Loretta Itri has also traveled extensively. Her most recent trip included several South American countries, which are home to raccoon-like coati.
The South American coati is a small mammal native to forested areas in Uruguay, Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Coati are very social animals. Female coati and their offspring live together in large groups, known as bands, which can contain up to 30 members. While older males are solitary, they often demonstrate nurturing behaviors, such as grooming females. While bands can enter into territorial conflicts, coati are just as likely to perform social behaviors when interacting with other groups. Coati also protect their band members by sounding a vocal alarm to warn of nearby predators. Coati living in areas with urban development have grown accustomed to humans. People should refrain from feeding or standing too closely to them. While young coati can bond with humans and make good pets if given the proper conditions, they are not domesticated animals. While operating in an executive capacity at The Medicines Company, Loretta Itri, MD, informed the research and development of novel therapeutics. Traveling regularly on business, Dr. Loretta Itri visited San Diego, California, and Zurich, Switzerland, frequently.
One of the attractions of Switzerland’s capital city is its compact, pedestrian friendly Old Town, which can be comfortably covered in a couple of hours on foot in a tour that takes in a number of major attractions. An ideal starting point, the Paradeplatz tram station provides easy access to Bahnhofstrasse, which features banks and high-end boutiques, including the storefronts of renowned watchmakers. Turning onto colorful, winding side streets presents a rewarding detour, with the old main thoroughfare Rennweg dotted with quaint structures dating back as far as the Middle Ages. Crossing the Limmat River after the Bahnhofplatz (Zurich’s main train station) leads to the Central Polybahn funicular, which provides a short, scenic ride uphill to a popular viewpoint overlooking the city. Veering onto Niederdorfstrasse presents a welcome antidote to high-end shopping, as it features numerous reasonable deli-style and takeaway kebab restaurants. A popular site on the river is the historic Rathaus, or Zurich Town Hall, which is open to the public and in which the business of the city is still conducted. Dr.Loretta Itri has a wealth of experience in clinical development, pharmaceuticals, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, and clinical data management. Her experience includes current work as the Executive Vice President for Global Health Sciences and Regulatory Affairs at the Medicines Company and past experience as a Senior Vice President of Worldwide Clinical Affairs at Ortho Biotech, Inc. and the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute. In addition to her professional work, Loretta Itri enjoys several recreational activities and will soon travel to Mallorca in Spain. Located in Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca includes over 500 kilometers of gorgeous coastline. Additionally, over 40% of the island is protected, so visitors are able to enjoy much of the region’s natural beauty. Known for its beaches, Mallorca also boasts many other tourist attractions including golf courses, water sports, entertainment, hiking trails and biking routes. The island is easily accessible via the nearby airport and regular ferry service. With a vibrant cultural scene and nightlife, Mallorca’s capital, Palma de Mallorca, is one of the most popular attractions and is a must-see for visitors to the island. Dr. Loretta Itri enjoys the opportunity to take a little time away from her responsibilities as the Executive Vice President of Global Health Sciences and Regulatory Affairs at The Medicines Company in order to travel. Recently, Dr. Loretta Itri visited Peru, a country that is home to some sites that all visitors should see.
1. Lima: The nation’s capital and its largest city, Lima is a Peruvian center of culture. Featuring ornate architecture, authentic restaurants, and unique shopping opportunities, this coastal metropolis is also known as “La Perla Del Pacifico,” or the Pearl of the Pacific. 2. Iquitos: Located in Peru’s northern region, Iquitos is inaccessible by road, and can only be reached by plane or boat. Founded in the Amazon Basin during the 17th century, the city is surrounded by jungle that can be explored via tours provided by local companies. 3. Machu Picchu: This ancient city remains one of archaeology’s most important sites since its discovery more than 100 years ago. A stone citadel with more than 3,000 steps that connect many levels, it is believed to have been constructed by the Incas between the 15th and 16th centuries. For fitness-minded travelers, a strenuous four-day hike on the Inca Trail will take them on a scenic journey straight to the ancient monument. |
AuthorAs chief medical officer and president of pharmaceutical development at a public biotech company, Dr. Loretta Itri oversaw the worldwide development of a number of important drugs, including Tesetaxel, a novel oral taxane used in the treatment of breast, gastric, and prostate cancer. Archives
October 2019
Categories |