MERIT Employee Spotlight is a series featuring team members introducing themselves, outlining their role at MERIT, and explaining why they chose to work in the clinical trials industry.
What is your role at MERIT?
With a background in biomedical science, cancer research, and medical writing, I support clinical oncology studies through scientific and market research, and by drafting proposals, clinical trial imaging and endpoint protocols, and white papers that help MERIT’s employees and clients understand complex oncology concepts. I also work with our sponsors and subcontractors to ensure they have the scientific and regulatory information needed to help keep the clinical trial imaging endpoint process smooth and efficient.
What do you like about working at MERIT?
Everyone at MERIT is kind, friendly, always willing to help, and deeply committed to their work, which helps make collaboration on complex projects efficient and productive. Additionally, my role at MERIT allows me to learn new things every day and provides a challenging and rewarding environment where I can combine my science and writing backgrounds to contribute to work that helps progress the fight against cancer.
Why did you get into clinical research?
When my mother passed from breast cancer while I was young, I decided early on that I wanted to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and causes of cancer and how we might better fight it. I studied biology at Cornell University and later earned a Master of Science degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where my thesis focused on Vitamin D as a differentiating agent combined with oncogene inhibitors to enhance leukemic cell death in AML and myelodysplasia. This drive to help people fight cancer, combined with my biomedical research background and medical writing expertise, quickly attracted me to clinical oncology research.
What do you do in your free time?
I have lived in northern New Jersey most of my life, aside from attending school in Ithaca, New York, but I like to head to the Jersey shore during the summer months whenever I get a chance. I have a deep interest in science, especially biology and astronomy, and I try to learn something new every day. I like to write, whether it be scientific or creative writing, and I enjoy science fiction films and novels. I also spend some free time playing the piano, building and using computers, and stargazing at night with my telescope.
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