Close
Blog written by Miguel Paz-Alvarez, Clinical Trials Manager
My journey into research began with a Pharmacy degree, offering insights into drug development and clinical pharmacology. As I was keen to understand the scientific principles underpinning these treatments, I moved to UCL to complete my research degree in formulation science. I struggled to see how my research would translate into actual benefits to the general population in the shorter term so I decided to move probably to a happy middle between fundamental research and the community, which is clinical research.
What has been your career development to date, in terms of working in research?
In different ways, I have been managing projects since I started my PhD in 2015 at UCL where I was looking into the transdermal delivery of drugs. After completing it in 2019, I joined UCLH as a Portfolio Officer at the Joint Research Office. This role involved overseeing a diverse range of studies, from non-commercial projects to student-led initiatives, providing regulatory support and understanding a complex and highly regulated clinical research environment. In 2020 I became involved in supporting urgent public health studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience highlighted the critical role research plays in addressing global health crises. In January 2021, I transitioned to the UCLH Clinical Research Facility as a trials coordinator and, by April, as a Clinical Studies Manager. In this role, I oversee a growing early-phase clinical trials portfolio with a team of 7 trials coordinators and 3 research assistants, promoting project management skills, multidisciplinary collaboration, and developing leadership skills amongst the team of project managers across different therapeutic areas.
What are the best aspects of working in research?
Working in research within the NHS is challenging and fulfilling in equal measure. Our day to day is about creating new connections, developing novel pathways to deliver complex, high-risk trials and anticipating issues that may come at the point of trial delivery. As non-clinical members of staff, we facilitate collaborations for the delivery of trials with a direct impact on patients. I personally find sharing space with patients taking part in the trials we have carefully planned a great motivation to try and get better every day!
What advice or recommendations would you have for anyone just starting out in a career in research?
For those embarking on a research career, my advice would be to first do research on the different responsibilities and roles available. Especially as a non-clinical function in project management, there are opportunities within the NHS, but also in the private sector like a Clinical Research Organisation or Pharmaceutical industry. Within the NHS, it is key to understand the environment and Trust structure, to communicate efficiently to bring complex projects to fruition in collaboration with external departments.