MERIT Executive Spotlight is a series featuring executive 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?
My role is Director of Medical Affairs, Ophthalmology. This position entails a variety of responsibilities including grading ophthalmology images, data review and some clinical development. I also provide Standardized Evaluation Procedures (SEPs) and Project Specific Evaluation Procedures (PSEPs) for various studies, as well as guide graders through the process as needed.
What do you like about working at MERIT?
I like working at MERIT because it’s a company that is truly dedicated to providing excellent end-point assessments in the field of clinical research. This means I am involved in many different aspects of clinical trial services such as reviewing protocols, image charter provision, image grading, and data review. These provide an interesting mix of daily activities. In addition, there’s the opportunity to use our EXCELSIOR™ technology to enhance the grading process which is extremely helpful.
The whole team receives regular updates with regards to the vision of the company, which ensures that every member can succeed. For example, we recently received an update on our pre-clinical development activities and R&D processes. To me, this shows that the company is well-rounded.
One of the things I enjoy the most is the opportunity to work with various professionals with different backgrounds from all around the world.
What is your background?
After my medical school training, I worked with a blindness prevention program which helped underprivileged members of society access eye health. We provided refraction and glasses, treatment of common eye conditions, and surgery for glaucoma and cataract. Working with this program aided my decision to choose ophthalmology as a specialty.
Upon completion of my ophthalmology residency, I went into private practice as a comprehensive ophthalmologist. Having always had an interest in clinical research, I completed a fellowship in ophthalmology clinical research with a biotech company. After this, I concluded clinical fellowship training at Emory Eye Center (Georgia) in Medical Retina and Uveitis. My subsequent roles have been in the field of clinical research.
Why did you get into clinical research?
It had always been my desire to acquire a more practical understanding of clinical research, in addition to the exposure that I had during the earlier years of my career. During my clinical research fellowship program, I was involved in the clinical development of two intravitreal medications that went on to get FDA approval. Later, I had the opportunity to provide this medication to patients and saw firsthand the improvement in their vision. It gave me a lot of joy and as a result, I decided to come back into the field of clinical research full-time. It is incredibly rewarding to be involved in work which also helps preserve and improve patients’ vision.
What do you do in your free time?
I am based out of Lawrenceville, Georgia, right outside of Atlanta and love to spend quality time with my husband and three children. I also enjoy listening to classical music, traveling, and taking long walks.
Connect with Dr. Sonuga on LinkedIn