Medical Affairs Recruitment Agency
Vetting MSLs by actually getting to know them, since 2008.
SEMbio is a boutique medical affairs recruiting firm built on real relationships, deep specialization, and a track record we're proud of. That's why we find such strong matches.
Our Story
Founded during the storm, built to last
In 2008, while most businesses were ducking and covering, Mary Morton and Nicole Evans stepped out and launched their own medical affairs recruitment agency. They knew it was a risky time to start a business, but they also knew their field. Each had already been a CPC-certified pharma recruiter for over a decade, and they knew their future clients needed recruiters they could rely on to find the right MSLs quickly.
To become the differentiated firm their clients needed, Mary and Nicole began a permanent practice of training on the actual disease states, organ systems, and specific compounds they were recruiting for. When they added recruiters, the new ones did the same. How else can you tell the difference between a good candidate and the right one?
It worked. Today we have an adjusted two-year retention rate over 96%, more than 750 positions filled, and Mary holds a seat in the Pinnacle Society, an invitation-only think tank of the world's 75 best recruiters. We're professional and thorough, but also intuitive. We care about fit, not just qualifications, and it shows in the close-knit team we've built.
Mary Morton and Nicole Evans launch SEMbio, each already a decade-plus, CPC-certified pharma recruiter.
Recruiters train continuously on the disease states, organ systems, and compounds they recruit for.
96%+ two-year retention, 750+ positions filled, and a Pinnacle Society seat among only 75 worldwide.
How We Work
A consultant-based approach to medical affairs recruiting
Relationship-First Recruiting
Work with SEMbio and you're not dropping a resume into a black hole. You're starting a relationship with someone who advocates for you. We learn your background, your goals, and what you want next. We don't submit you without your knowledge, and we never push roles that don't fit. If the timing isn't right yet, we stay connected, keep looking, and check in.
Niche Specialization
Medical affairs in pharma and biotech is all we do. Not life sciences broadly, not healthcare generally. We train continuously on disease states, organ systems, and the specific compounds we recruit for, so we can hold a real conversation about this field in a way general recruiters simply can't. When you tell us your therapeutic area and your goals, we're not just clocking keywords.
Urgency Without Compromise
The market can't wait, and neither can our clients or candidates. But a placement that doesn't work out is a bust for everyone, no matter how fast it happened. So we take the time to make sure the people and companies we put together are genuinely good for each other. Having 24,000+ professionals in our database helps.
Industry-Recognized Expertise
Credentials the field respects
The Pinnacle Society
Cofounder Mary Morton is one of only 75 Pinnacle Society recruiters in the world. Pinnacle is an invitation-only think tank and the recruiting field's most elite membership organization.
CPC Certification
Every SEMbio recruiter, not just leadership, holds a Certified Personnel Consultant credential through NAPS. Maintaining it requires continuing education every year, not just passing a one-time exam.
The People Behind SEMBio
Meet the team
Mary Morton is the Founder and CEO of SEMbio, an executive search firm specializing in Medical Affairs recruiting. With over 30 years of recruiting experience, she partners with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to identify exceptional talent for MSL, MSL leadership, Medical Director, Vice President, and related Medical Affairs roles. With more than 30 years of experience in recruiting, Mary has a deep understanding of the Medical Affairs landscape, the qualities that make candidates successful, and the hiring dynamics that shape strong teams.
Mary is also the co-host of MSLead Chronicles, a podcast focused on people leadership topics within the MSL and Medical Affairs community. Through thoughtful conversations with industry leaders, the podcast creates space for practical insight, shared experience, and honest discussion about what it takes to lead well.
Known for her relationship-driven approach, Mary is passionate about helping companies build high-performing Medical Affairs teams while supporting candidates through pivotal career decisions.
Mary is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, wife, and mother of two incredible (grown) kids. She loves live music, Formula 1, college football, traveling, and volunteering in pediatric rare disease advocacy and research.
Nicole Evans helped build SEMbio with the same qualities that defined her life: integrity, warmth, discernment, and genuine care for people.
In 2008, alongside her friend and business partner Mary Morton, Nicole co-founded SEMbio with the belief that recruitment could be more relational, more thoughtful, and more human. Long before "relationship-driven recruiting" became industry language, Nicole was already living it. She believed people deserved to feel supported, respected, and truly known, whether they were clients, candidates, teammates, or friends.
And that is exactly how she moved through the world.
Nicole exuded grace and professionalism in every detail, yet what people remember most was how she made them feel. She had a radiant laugh that filled a room with ease and familiarity. She mentored quietly, encouraged generously, and carried a steady wisdom that drew people toward her in both work and life. Teammates knew they could sit down in Nicole's office to talk through anything, whether it was a difficult business decision or a personal hardship waiting outside the office doors.
Year after year, in countless ways both large and small, Nicole helped make SEMbio feel less like a workplace and more like a family. She was behind the celebrations that brought everyone together, the thoughtful notes of encouragement, the holiday gatherings, the check-ins, the kindnesses no one asked for but everyone remembered. She fiercely protected the people and animals she loved, advocated passionately for charitable causes, especially animal rescue and welfare organizations, and consistently chose compassion even when life demanded strength.
In 2024, Nicole passed away after a courageous and hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer. Through it all, she remained deeply committed to the work and people she loved, continuing to help connect Medical Science Liaisons and medical affairs teams until the very end. Her faith, resilience, and compassion never wavered.
Nicole left behind her beloved husband, Kenny, the dogs she adored, and a community of colleagues, clients, candidates, and friends whose lives were made better simply by knowing her.
Her legacy continues to live within SEMbio every day: in the relationships we build, the integrity we uphold, and the care we strive to show one another and every person who places their trust in us.
Linda graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Exercise Science. Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, she moved to Texas shortly after college and has happily called the Dallas area home ever since.
Before joining SEMbio in 2020, Linda spent more than seven years working in specialty pharmacy, where she developed a deep appreciation for the people and innovation driving healthcare forward. She later transitioned into Medical Affairs recruiting and quickly discovered how much she loved building relationships, connecting with professionals across the industry, and helping people find careers they genuinely feel excited about.
Over the years at SEMbio, Linda's role naturally evolved beyond recruiting into a more strategic and creative focus. As Director of Digital Innovation and Brand Strategy, she works closely on company branding, digital initiatives, content strategy, operational development, and the behind-the-scenes systems that help keep SEMbio growing and evolving. She also hosts and produces SEMbio's resource-packed podcast, MSL 411, which has become a true labor of love for the Medical Affairs community and professionals at every stage of their journey, from aspiring MSLs to seasoned industry veterans.
Outside of work, Linda's favorite place to be is at home with her husband, Casey, and their son, Teddy, usually in the middle of some kind of family project, kitchen experiment, or cozy movie night. On any given weekend, you'll likely find her baking muffins or cookies alongside her "junior chef," perfecting her homemade sourdough pizza, working on home renovation projects, getting lost in a good book, or enjoying creative hobbies like drawing or painting. Whether she's building, creating, or making memories with her family, Linda is happiest when life feels a little creative and a little messy in the best possible way.
Lawrence joined SEMbio in 2011. He attended Texas Tech University, where he earned his master's degree in Sports Management. After beginning his career in the sports world, Lawrence found an opportunity in recruiting that ultimately became a rewarding long-term career with SEMbio. He is also a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC), which reflects his commitment to continued education, ethical recruiting practices, and high professional standards.
Lawrence especially enjoys recruiting Medical Science Liaisons because they are an intellectual, sociable, and professional group of people who make his work both engaging and rewarding.
Outside of recruiting, Lawrence enjoys playing hockey, grilling and BBQing, and attending Texas Tech football games. Most importantly, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his son and three bonus kids.
Rochelle graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in Biology, where she was also a Lady Volunteer, Varsity Crew member on the university's NCAA Rowing Team. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Rochelle moved to Austin, Texas in 2003, where she met her husband. In 2006, they relocated to the Dallas area, and in 2026 came full circle by returning to the Austin area and settling in Lago Vista on Lake Travis in the Texas Hill Country.
With more than 15 years of recruiting experience, Rochelle has specialized primarily in life sciences recruiting, with a strong focus on field-based Medical Affairs. In the fall of 2020, she joined SEMbio and has never looked back. Rochelle is deeply passionate about Medical Affairs and the meaningful relationships she has built with Medical Science Liaisons throughout her career, many of whom have become close friends. She feels honored to play a role in helping professionals navigate and grow their careers in Medical Affairs.
Combining her background in Biology with her passion for science and people, Rochelle is driven by a desire to continually learn and stay connected to the evolving role of Medical Science Liaisons within today's pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. She is committed to building long-term relationships, understanding each candidate's unique goals, and finding the right fit for both candidates and clients. Rochelle consistently strives to grow professionally and places tremendous value on every relationship she has built along the way.
Outside of work, Rochelle enjoys traveling to participate in trail races and ultra marathons, as well as spending quality time with her family. She loves all things outdoors, including wakeboarding, wake surfing, paddleboarding, and hiking, but also enjoys relaxing with football games or a good movie. Rochelle and her husband have two sons and a beloved family pet. Her oldest son is a graduate of the University of North Texas, while her youngest currently attends the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Corielle grew up in the DFW area and attended college at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she earned a bachelor's degree in historical studies. After 15+ years recruiting and managing veterinary technicians, she joined SEMbio in 2020 and found her home in the dynamic world of medical affairs, where she could build lasting relationships with candidates rather than the transactional pace of her previous staffing work. Corielle gets to know her candidates well before any specific role is on the table by asking about their goals, what they need in a position, and what would make a move worth making. That way, when she does reach out, it's with purpose rather than just a job description.
Corielle is married and has two sons in high school, along with one dog and two cats. Outside of work, she enjoys running, baking, reading, and spending weekends camping with her family in Texas state parks.
Tracy brings a lifelong connection to pharmacy, healthcare, and patient advocacy to her role at SEMbio. A proud graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in Pharmacy, she comes from a long line of pharmacists. Conversations about treatments, service, and helping others have been part of her life for as long as she can remember.
Throughout her pharmacy career, Tracy has held a wide range of roles that have given her a deep appreciation for people, purpose, and the importance of finding the right fit. She joined the SEMbio team at the end of 2021, where she found the perfect place to combine her industry experience with her passion for excellence and relationship-building.
Tracy understands that the right person in the right role can change the trajectory of a career and open the door to both success and genuine happiness. She takes great joy in building trust with clients and candidates alike while uncovering the unique qualities that make each person shine. She loves matching personalities with positions to ensure that people thrive!
Outside of work, Tracy is a traveler, storyteller, and natural connector who enjoys forming meaningful relationships with people both close to home and around the world. In the summer, she loves boating on beautiful Lake Travis. In the winter, she prefers watching others ski from the comfort of a warm lodge. She is also an experienced martial artist and has a dream of one day owning land that even has a few mini donkeys!
Until then, Tracy continues to bring energy, insight, and heart to her work to help both clients and candidates reach their full potential.
With more than 25 years of experience in Accounting, Human Resources, and business operations, Nancy is a trusted leader known for helping small businesses build strong financial foundations and sustainable growth. Throughout her career, she has partnered closely with business owners and executive teams, providing strategic guidance in accounting, human resources, payroll, compliance, and day-to-day operations. Her ability to adapt, solve complex challenges, and support organizations through every stage of growth has made her an invaluable asset to the companies she has served.
Born and raised in New Orleans, she relocated to the Dallas area in 2006, where she has continued to support and strengthen growing businesses across a variety of industries. She is recognized for her integrity, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to fostering efficient operations while building positive workplace cultures.
Outside of her professional career, she enjoys spending time with her family, attending live music concerts, and following the NFL. Whether cheering for the Dallas Cowboys or her hometown New Orleans Saints, she brings the same passion and loyalty to her personal interests as she does to her work.
Our Podcast
MSL 411: insight for medical affairs professionals
MSL 411 is SEMbio's official podcast, hosted by actual SEMbio recruiter Linda Eskew. Linda sits down with veterans of the field to hear their career journeys, the insights they've gathered, and how to land your dream job. If you're in medical affairs or working your way here, you need to hear this.
Ready to work with a partner who understands medical affairs?
Whether you're an MSL looking for your next move or a hiring manager wishing the right one would come along, tell us about it. We can help.