What is your current position and what do you find exciting about it? 

My current job title is Clinical Research Coordinator. In my role I oversee oncology clinical trials, specifically GI Oncology Trials. The role involves screening and enrolling eligible participants, coordinating study visits and procedures, obtaining and documenting informed consent, and monitoring patient participation throughout the research process. I have to maintain accurate clinical and regulatory documentation, collect study data, track patient side effects, and ensure compliance with study protocols. The ultimate goal of the clinical trials is to show benefit of the investigation drug and obtain FDA approval to market the drug. The thing I find most exciting about my job is that I can see on a day to day basis the impact I am having on patients. I really enjoy being able to have a role that allows me to be patient facing but also exercise my scientific practices I've learned.

How did your GVSU Chemistry/Biochemistry degree help you prepare for your position? 

My GVSU Chemistry/Biochemistry degree helped me prepare for my position by teaching me proper and detailed lab notebook keeping. This directly translates to my position as my notes on our patients are source for the pharmaceutical companies data. GVSU also taught me how to read a scientific protocol and execute the project/experiment. Each clinical trial has a protocol that we follow in order to maintain the safety of the patients on the trial so this is a skill I use daily. My biochemistry background also allows me to have a basic understanding of the mechanism of action of the investigational drugs.