Career and experience
My first introduction to clinical research was during university, when I undertook a one-year placement as a Research Assistant at The University of Sheffield. This role was based at the Metabolic Bone Centre, where I supported recruitment to multiple osteo biomarker studies. This sparked an interest in clinical research and after leaving university, I joined Sheffield Teaching Hospitals as a Clinical Trials Assistant (CTA) in respiratory medicine. Following this, I stayed in the CTA role but moved into oncology at the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre. My role was to coordinate a diverse portfolio of studies across multiple disease areas, managing all aspects of study delivery from recruitment and consent, through to data collection and sample processing. Keen to explore the study set-up process, I then moved into a Research Administrator role within STH R&D. From there, I went on to join the BRC as a Project Coordinator.

Why research matters
Through working directly with patients, each with varying disease types and prognoses, I have seen first-hand the importance of advancing translational research. Having the opportunity to offer patients access to research studies often provided them with a sense of optimism for the future, particularly when treatment options were limited. Helping to bridge the gap between bench to bedside medicine is hugely important, and I am proud to play a part in turning research discoveries into meaningful benefits for patients.