BIOGRAPHY: With over 20 years of experience in the federal public service and the health sector, I am passionate about advancing innovation, science, and partnerships. I bring diverse perspectives and experiences, having worked in various roles and sectors, including fisheries, business development, and account management. From July 2022 to March 2024, I served as the inaugural director for the Atlantic Clinical Trials Network through the Government of Canada’s Interchange Canada Program, bringing together six of the region’s health authorities to work together on fostering clinical trials enablement.
What is your interest in clinical trials?
• Since 2008 I have worked with life sciences companies developing new innovations in Atlantic Canada. This helped to foster my passion to get involved in the area of clinical trials. In being ACTN’s first director, it was such a great opportunity to work with the region’s health authorities to work toward creating an environment to enable new clinical trial opportunities. Through CANTRAIN, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the patient and community partners stream in advancing clinical trial training. It has increased my passion to be involved, which is why I maintained a volunteer role upon my return to the Federal Public Service.
Please share why you think clinical trials are important?
• Clinical trials are important for ensuring our population has access to the best, safest treatments available to ultimately have the most positive health outcomes possible. Clinical trials are important for helping us and the science learn/advance. Not every trial will be successful, many of them fail, but there are always important take away lessons to help advance treatments and most importantly, patient outcomes.
Please share your personal philosophy about clinical trial training specifically or mentorship in general?
• Clinical trials training is so important to help our current and next generation of trialists meet our population’s needs. The training approach cannot be limited to the lab/bench, it needs to extend to full engagement of patients in the clinical trials process, and always having the patient’s voice in mind. Mentorship has personally helped me get to where I am today and I am passionate about giving back and paying it forward, which is why I agreed to be a mentor for CANTRAIN.
Fun Fact: I love watching sports and have been a long time Pittsburgh Penguins fan. I was beyond thrilled to receive a high five from Mario Lemieux in finishing his 6.6KM race in Pittsburgh back in 2018.