Operations & Medical Affairs
MERIT Employee Spotlight is a series featuring team members introducing themselves and explaining why they chose to work in the clinical trials industry and at MERIT.
What is your role at MERIT?
As an Oncology Project Coordinator supporting both Operations and Medical Affairs, my role allows me to work across several aspects of our oncology clinical trials. On the Operations side, I support the creation of study start-up documents, coordinate with sponsors and sites in managing their access to EXCELSIOR™, and help keep project deliverables moving forward. Within Medical Affairs, I work closely with our radiologists to coordinate study training and read activities, support relationships with potential key opinion leaders, and assist with radiologist qualification and CV standardization across MERIT’s Oncology division.
What is your background?
I earned my Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Throughout college, I pursued opportunities that allowed me to explore the intersection of business, clinical research, and oncology, including internships with Merck Pharmaceuticals in their Global Clinical Trial Operations division, the American Society of Clinical Oncology in their Governance department, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their Children’s Initiative. These experiences ultimately helped shape my interest in oncology clinical trial operations and led me to MERIT.
Why did you get into clinical research?
My interest in clinical research began through my own experience as a cancer patient. I was diagnosed at 15 years old, and from that point forward, I knew I wanted my career to contribute to cancer research and help other patients facing similar experiences. Through internships across biopharmaceutical and oncology companies, I discovered that clinical research gave me the opportunity to combine my interest in business and project management with meaningful work that advances science and new therapies. I’ve always enjoyed leading projects and collaborating toward a shared goal, so being able to help move oncology trials forward is especially rewarding for me.
What do you like about working at MERIT?
I love working at MERIT because as an entry-level clinical research professional, this has been an incredible environment to learn how oncology research and clinical trials operate. Working across different oncology studies has given me the opportunity to see how trial and project needs vary between sponsors, therapies, and disease indications. Along with this, I also deeply value the mentorship, guidance, and support I have received from my colleagues as I continue to learn something new every day.
What do you do in your free time?
I relocated to New York City in January 2026, so this year I’ve loved spending my free time exploring as much of the city as I can. Whether it’s trying a new restaurant or café, walking through a neighborhood I haven’t visited before, exploring one of the city’s parks, or attending different social events, I’ve really enjoyed getting to experience everything New York has to offer. Outside of exploring my city, I love traveling internationally, spending time with friends and family, and going to live music shows.
Connect with Kareena on LinkedIn
