Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I graduated with a degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Warwick in 2019 and decided that I didn’t want to be in a lab, so I began a career working in healthcare PR. When the first lockdown hit in March 2020, I received a promotion and I was busier than ever working with pharmaceutical companies and public health bodies to communicate their commitment to improving the lives of patients during the pandemic and beyond.
However, after two years in the industry, I started feeling unsatisfied and realised I wasn’t looking forward to the day ahead anymore. It dawned on me that the aspect of my work I found most interesting was the research my clients were doing to develop innovative treatments, so I decided to pursue a career in supporting clinical research. Fast forward to now and I am loving work as a Clinical Trials Administrator in the Cancer Prevention Trials Unit at King’s.
What is the best thing about the return to ‘normality’ we are now experiencing?
Being able to be spontaneous again. I will never again take for granted being able to just pop over to a friend’s house, go to a museum, or go out to dinner.
Do you have any current projects that you’d like to tell us about?
I’m currently working on two trials:
- FINESSE: a randomised phase 3 trial evaluating the role of Finasteride at increasing compliance with active surveillance in men with a new diagnosis of low and intermediate risk prostate cancer, when compared with usual care.
- YORKSURe: a feasibility trial aimed at the early diagnosis of bladder cancer through the detection of haematuria (blood in urine) in asymptomatic individuals at high risk of mortality from bladder cancer.
What do you do with your time outside academia?
I love cooking as well as doing yoga and Pilates.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
The two clinical trials I’m working on (FINESSE and YORKSURe) are opening for patient recruitment! A lot of work has gone into the trial set up phase and it will be great to move into this next phase.
What is something positive that has happened to you in the last year?
Completing my Good Clinical Practice qualification and realising that I wanted to pursue a career in supporting clinical research.
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
I love the people and really enjoy being on campus – the Guy’s Campus is so beautiful!
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite London restaurant: Marcellaio
Favourite cuisine: Chinese
Netflix recommendation: Kath & Kim
Coffee order: Macchiato