Who’s Who at VCU Business: Suzanne Makarem
By Megan Nash
Ever wondered how a casual scroll through your social feed could spark some serious research? Meet Suzanne Makarem, Ph.D., an associate professor of marketing at VCU Business, who turned her own following of online physician influencers into innovative healthcare marketing studies. She spills the tea in our conversation–let’s go!
Where can we find you on the VCU map?
You can find me at the VCU School of Business (Snead Hall) on the third floor in Room B3183.
Can you share a bit about your educational journey? Where did you go to school, and what was your major?
I graduated from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon with my B.S. in Computer Science and then my M.B.A. in Marketing. I studied for my Ph.D. in Marketing at Temple University in Philadelphia.
What inspired you to pursue a career in your field, and how has your journey evolved over the years?
I took a marketing research course during my M.B.A., and it sparked my curiosity for research. I was mostly intrigued by how useful research can be in any industry. My professor at the time recommended that I pursue a Ph.D in Marketing, which I did. This is how I ended up in academia 😊
Could you describe your current research or projects? What excites you most about them?
Currently, all my research projects are in the healthcare marketing area. For example, in one research project, we are examining the impact of physicians as social media influencers on the behavior of Generation Z members. In another project, we are looking at negative reviews of healthcare service providers and how they impact the provider’s service recovery journey.
What excites me the most about these projects is that they are highly linked to my own experiences following physicians on social media, as well as the experiences of clients I have worked with and who find it challenging to manage online reviews, especially negative ones.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your academic or teaching career, how has it influenced you?
In addition to networking, networking, networking … do not be afraid to ask for what you want (a promotion, a raise, a position on the board) especially after you have put in the work. I am still learning to follow this advice in many areas of my career, but when I have, it has paid off.
What never fails to make you smile?
Students expressing themselves and being creative, especially in presentations. I am smiling right now thinking about my students’ presentations from last semester.
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