Persistently Doing Things Differently

Halfway through undergrad, Anthony Caggiano, VP of research and development at Acorda Therapeutics, was walking around the University of Virginia thinking that he needed to get a job. In a hallway, he noticed an announcement about a National Science Foundation summer research fellowship, which paid undergrads to do research in a lab. That experience indirectly led Caggiano to where he is today. Acorda Therapeutics was doing work in neurological injury, which was a match with Caggiano's PhD studies. Caggiano thought he could use his medical and scientific training at Acorda, and was "interested in the idea of being in a company, having tried to start one himself." He's been climbing the corporate ladder at Acorda ever since, from bench scientist to VP. Caggiano stays busy with two young and athletic daughters and he's also into woodworking.