about ME
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I began my career as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the field of Dermatology. In this role, I learned the ins and outs of running a phase II clinical trial at the investigative site level. I was responsible for everything from patient recruitment, to regulatory submissions, electronic data entry, investigational product accountability and administration, and adverse event reporting. I also quickly learned the importance of developing professional relationships with both my study sponsors, and, more importantly, my study patients.
A few years later, I took on the role of Clinical Trials Project Lead with the Canadian VIGOUR Center, an Academic Research Organization (ARO) specialized in cardiology. I managed all operational and regulatory aspects of multiple phase III clinical trials, including the site management of over 40 trial sites across Canada.
In 2016, I received my Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP, via SOCRA) designation and I joined CARE Arthritis as a Senior Clinical Project Manager. CARE is an ARO that focuses on research and education in arthritis, with a special interest in personalized medicine. CARE’s expertise is in the development and application of biomarkers – both soluble and imaging based. Since joining CARE Arthritis, I have been involved in the project management of Phase III, IV and observational Osteoarthritis and Spondyloarthritis research studies across North America. I am responsible for coordinating all of the regulatory aspects of these projects, including submissions to Regulatory Authorities, database reviews, biosample shipments, as well as handling the day to day operational requirements of each study.
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Recently, I have lead the development of our company-wide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including a comprehensive Quality Management System. Establishing and implementing these process documents ensures that all of our business activities are in compliance with all applicable regulations, and that we consistently meet or surpass the highest quality standards.
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Learn more about my Core Values and Core Skills below, or review my Experience & Education, Projects and Publications.
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Since beginning my journey in the field of clinical research, my dedication and motivation to learn and grow have led me to a variety of projects, roles, and experiences. I have been fortunate to work and collaborate with medical specialists across North America, with the aim of enhancing patient care and outcomes via clinical research studies.
A word on affiliations:
In my various roles, I have never been affiliated with a provincial regulatory body or college. This means that I do not fall under the regulations set out in Alberta's Health Professions Act. This act outlines the role of the provincial professional colleges and their delegated powers. The act currently includes the majority of health professions, and Alberta is working towards updating the act to include all health professions in the future.
I am also not affiliated with Alberta's provincial health department - Alberta Health Services (AHS). On my Resources and Links page, I have provided a list of excellent resources for researchers working in Alberta; this includes AHS research specific departments and resources.
MY CORE VALUES
I will never forget the emotions I felt preparing for my very first potential research patient to arrive.
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I was excited, yet filled with so many concerns. I was inexperienced, but mostly I worried about what this new drug might mean for these patients. What if they had a serious reaction? What if it did not work? How would I manage their broken expectations? Would I feel personally responsible? I quickly learned that these wonderful people had serious health problems. They were coming to see me because they had exhausted all of the options provided to them by their healthcare system.
They needed this clinical trial, as it provided them an option that they would not have access to through traditional pathways. From that point forward, I began to understand the important role of clinical research in patient healthcare, and my core values began to take shape.
INTEGRITY
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Integrity is a quality that I value in all aspects of my life, both professional and personal. It is especially imperative for anyone working in research involving humans, as even the slightest compromise of a researcher’s integrity can result in a loss of trust and credibility.
Integrity is exemplified in the professional relationships that I build, which are based on mutual trust, as well as the ethical principles, guidelines, and research regulations that I strictly adhere to in all facets of my work.
COMPASSION
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Behind every clinical research project are the patients who are willing to participate. These patients voluntarily give a part of themselves to advance our scientific knowledge, and I must uphold my responsibilities to ensure that their contribution is not in vain.
At the heart of what I do is the knowledge that my actions and efforts, if successful, can lead to improved patient care, outcomes, or perhaps a new therapy, for these volunteers as well as for future patients.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Social responsibility ties into my core values of integrity and compassion. I feel a personal obligation to do everything in my power to further our society’s scientific knowledge in the areas of research I work in.
This social responsibility leads me to strive for excellence in everything I do, because ultimately, although my work may not necessarily benefit or impact me, it does have the ability to benefit and impact many others.
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my core skills
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Advanced project management skills are at the core of every successful research project. Overseeing a clinical research project, from start to finish, requires you to balance a multitude of high priority, time sensitive tasks, all while ensuring that regulatory requirements, research guidelines and best practices, as well as company standard operation procedures are being followed.
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REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
In Canada, Health Canada is the government branch responsible for overseeing clinical trials involving humans. Managing a clinical trial involves working under Health Canada's regulatory requirements, as well as numerous other ethical guidelines and process documents. Through my experience, I have learned to create tools and resources to streamline regulatory processes and ensure compliance at every stage of a project.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE
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Quality assurance is an integral part of clinical research. A clinical trial is only valuable if the research data collected is reliable and of high quality. Through my years of experience in regulatory document review, case report form development and validation, database reviews, querying and monitoring, as well as Quality Management System development, I have developed an extensive set of skills in Quality Assurance.
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