My Journey into Clinical Science.

by Hannah Watkins, PhD

The translational aspect of research is a huge motivational driver for me. Like many, I chose to pursue biomedical research because I wanted to create or discover something that would make a positive difference in healthcare. My research projects at the Koch Institute were broader in scope than I had experienced before, involving the coordination of large experiments across institutions and companies, and emphasizing that it took more than great science to move projects forward. The Convergence Scholars Program (CSP) seemed like a perfect fit for me, as I would get to strengthen the leadership and managerial skills translational research requires while also getting time (and funds) to explore potential alternative career options within translational research. 

CSP helped to put the trainee in postdoctoral trainee, with a highly flexible design that allowed us scholars to gain additional education/experience in the areas that mattered most. Throughout the CSP year, Tarek met with us individually, serving as a sounding board and providing insight and empathy. CSP allowed me to dedicate time each month to develop research enhancing skills and to explore my career interests—I participated in workshops on leadership and communication, completed courses in data analytics and statistics, and volunteered with the MIT Clinical Research Center (CRC). Additionally, CSP introduced me to incredible scientists both within the Koch and in the larger Boston community. 

During CSP, I sought to further understand roles of PhDs within the clinical research realm, especially in areas related to biostatistics and analytics. Though a professor once told me that an MD was the golden ticket to doing medical research, I was determined to find roles for PhDs in this space. Using CSP funds, I enrolled in an online MIT ProX course on big data analytics and Harvard Catalyst courses on comparative effectiveness research and biostatistics. These classes focused on fundamentals and provided context to the big data buzzwords we so frequently hear. In parallel to these more academic pursuits, I also reached out to members of the MIT CRC to get their perspectives on clinical research roles for PhDs and to see if I could volunteer at their office.

My time with the MIT CRC ended up being one the most meaningful aspects of my CSP year. Not only did the members take time to discuss with me PhDs they knew working within the clinical and translational research arena, they also connected me with investigator Caroline Robertson, who was about to start a study at the center. Caroline allowed me to become a part of her team and to assist with her study on visual perception, which had required filing for an investigational new drug (IND) application. Over a period of about a month, I observed the recruitment and screening of participants, performed the consent process, administered surveys, and witnessed the daily challenges of running a human subject research study. A huge thanks to Caroline Robertson, nursing director Catherine Ricciardi, nurse Tatiana Urman, and project manager Jeff Menth for their guidance and kindness in letting me be a part of this study. 

My positive experience through CSP gave me the confidence to accept a job that pivots from the traditional bench science research role I initially had in mind when starting my postdoc. In July, I started a position as an Institutional Review Board (IRB) Coordinator, evaluating human subject research and ensuring adherence to regulations. While I remain interested in bench science, I am excited to expand my perspective as I work with PIs conducting a wide range of human subject research. I am looking forward to being able to share my experiences and become a resource to the next classes of Convergence Research Scholars!