{"id":2643,"date":"2023-07-21T07:54:51","date_gmt":"2023-07-21T07:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/cancerprevention\/?p=2643"},"modified":"2023-07-21T07:54:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T07:54:51","slug":"meet-the-team-the-sequel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/2023\/07\/21\/meet-the-team-the-sequel\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the team \u2013 the sequel!"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week we would like to introduce three more of our team members; Harriet<\/strong> (Operations Manager for Compliance), Simranjit ‘Sim’<\/strong> (Clinical Project Manager for the NHS-Galleri trial) and James<\/strong> (Participant Pathway Navigator). <\/em><\/p>\n

Let’s take a glance into each of their paths into the world of clinical trials\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Harriet Gilbert-Jones<\/span><\/u><\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Where did you grow up?<\/h2>\n

In a small town called St. Columb Major, in Cornwall. It\u2019s very close to Newquay, which is probably the most well-known Cornish town!<\/p>\n

Did you have a dream career growing up?<\/h2>\n

Yes, though more than one. I first wanted to be a comedian but pretty quickly realised I wasn\u2019t very funny!…Then I wanted to be a journalist\/writer.<\/p>\n

What is your educational background?<\/h2>\n

I went to mixed, state primary and secondary schools, followed by university where I studied Broadcast Journalism. However, I dropped out of uni midway through my second year.<\/p>\n

When did you start working in research, and what was your first role?<\/h2>\n

In 2010, I started as a Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA) for the Yorkshire Cancer Research Network Team in York.<\/p>\n

Were there any obstacles along the way?<\/h2>\n

Many but, in some ways, also none\u2026 As you can probably tell, I don\u2019t have a scientific background, nor any original plans to work in the field or research or any other sciences. At university, I became very apathetic about my chosen studies, and ultimately a bit lost about what I wanted to do, and so decided to halt for a year to work and get some \u2018real world\u2019 experience. I ended up working as an admin assistant in the NHS, and then found an interesting-sounding role in clinical trials as a CTA at York Hospital. I applied and was unsuccessful, until the successful candidate dropped out of the post after a month, and I got called back and offered the role. I essentially \u2018fell\u2019 into clinical research, loved it, and haven\u2019t looked back since.<\/p>\n

What is your current role?<\/h2>\n

Operations Manager for Compliance at King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trials Unit.<\/p>\n

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?<\/h2>\n

I love gardening \u2013 it\u2019s moved from an occasional hobby growing a couple of pot plants to a big part of my life. I also properly love TV \u2013 I\u2019m always on the lookout for new shows to watch, and I\u2019m a bit podcast mad too, at the moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Simranjit Mehta<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Where did you grow up?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I grew up in Ilford, East London. In fact I have always lived in London \u2014 I opted to study within London for university (and keep the comforts of living at home), so have never left!<\/p>\n

Did you have a dream career growing up?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I never had a dream career per se. I was quite inquisitive as a child, and always trying to work out the reasoning and rationales behind things in life. This translated itself quite obviously into a lot of \u2018why\u2019 questions about most things growing up.<\/p>\n

I was more into the sciences at school, and in Sixth Form was considering doing Medicine. However, I then realised quite how much of a commitment and challenge this would be.<\/p>\n

What is your educational background?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I decided to study Biomedical Sciences for my undergraduate degree. I then realised my natural skillset is more people-oriented (rather than suited to being in a lab all day), and so changed tack a little. I studied for a Masters in Drug Discovery, which was actually at King\u2019s \u2013 in the very same building we now work in! It\u2019s nice to think that this is where it all started.<\/p>\n

When did you start working in research, and what was your first role?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

My first official exposure to the world of research was via a placement with GlaxoSmithKline, for my Masters. In this, I was supporting a PhD student and completing research for my MSc dissertation, looking at optimisation of existing drugs for treating cystic fibrosis.<\/p>\n

My first job in research was at Moorfield\u2019s Eye Hospital, working as a study coordinator. While I liked the role, I realised it wasn\u2019t quite the right fit, and also not the therapeutic area I was most interested in. I therefore joined Guy\u2019s and St Thomas\u2019s NHS Trust, working as a clinical trial coordinator. It was here that I began to build real experience in clinical trials.<\/p>\n

Were there any obstacles along the way?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I would say an ongoing obstacle for many people is a common lack of diversity in very senior groups in research. I personally feel this is something important for me to help chip away at \u2014 by getting into these roles, I can help build better representation for people from minority backgrounds.<\/p>\n

What is your current role?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I am the Clinical Project Manager for the NHS-Galleri trial. A core feature of this is oversight of the trial itself: monitoring what is happening on the trial; checking recruitment and retention targets are being met; ensuring the trial is delivered in accordance with all governance and regulations.<\/p>\n

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I love to explore London through different cuisines (and am currently very into Korean food!). Otherwise, I mostly enjoy fairly standard day-to-day activities. It is always fun to be a tourist in London from time to time, too: it\u2019s a great way to discover new parts of the city you would otherwise never have noticed.<\/p>\n

\n

James Aroloye<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Where did you grow up?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I was born and raised in East London.<\/p>\n

Did you have a dream career growing up?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Growing up, I was determined I would be a songwriter. However, that was forgotten once I turned 18 \u2013 my interests changed and I wanted to try other things.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is your educational background?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I have a Diploma in Business Studies and a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Psychology.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

When did you start working in research, and what was your first role?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

My first experience in research was working at King\u2019s College Hospital, as an administrator within the Endoscopy Unit. My responsibilities included booking a variety of patients for procedures linked to eligible clinical research trials. This led to me joining the Cancer Prevention Trials Unit on the NHS-Galleri Trial, as Participant Pathway Navigator. This involves contacting participants to ensure they have been contacted by their local NHS trust for an appointment.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Were there any obstacles along the way?<\/strong> \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the main challenges was studying part-time alongside a full-time job.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is your current role?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I work as the Participant Pathway Navigator with the NHS-Galleri trial.<\/p>\n

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I love travel, film and TV, and also music (and attending live music events).<\/p>\n

\n

Subscribe to our mailing list!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This week we would like to introduce three more of our team members; Harriet (Operations Manager for Compliance), Simranjit ‘Sim’ (Clinical Project Manager for the NHS-Galleri trial) and James (Participant Pathway Navigator). Let’s take a glance into each of their paths into the world of clinical trials\u2026 Harriet Gilbert-Jones Where did you grow up? In… Read More »Meet the team \u2013 the sequel!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,32,45],"tags":[192,209,320,434],"class_list":["post-2643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-edi","category-equality-diversity-and-inclusion","category-meet-the-team","tag-diversity-and-inclusion","tag-equality","tag-meet-the-team","tag-staff-spotlight-series"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2643"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2643\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cancerprevention.qmul.ac.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}