Ms Marita Marshall
Research Interests
Before joining Barts Cancer Institute, I completed my MSc in Clinical Research Administration at the University of Liverpool. I then worked as Data Manager and Trial Coordinator in Paediatric Haematology / Oncology at Queen Mary University of London.
In my work at the cancer clinical academic unit, I manage both commercial and Investigator led studies, involving either new or already marketed drugs. Each day usually starts out checking my diary, updating the burgeoning ‘To do’ list [especially after reading emails which seemed to have miraculously accumulated overnight!], checking progress of current projects, help in designing new ones, chasing requests, answering calls, meeting with CRAs to discuss the study portfolio to identify any potential problems, arranging pre-study visits, liaising with sponsors, randomising patients, meeting with investigators, training, recruiting new staff and writing SOPs. A knack for database design also helps!
Life at the Institute
My primary role involves monitoring and overseeing our portfolio of men’s cancer studies but my time is also split with leading a small team of Clinical Research Assistants [CRAs]. Another aspect of my role is in maintaining the portfolio budget and I think it is important to be flexible enough to be able to work across different areas, as the role is quite diverse. Having so many facets to my role provides challenges for me, which I relish, and in the years that I have worked here I have developed ways to manage the variety of queries I receive on a daily basis.
Highlights
- Successfully maintaining and improving a core portfolio of studies spanning Phase I/II/III in different therapeutic areas.
- Overseeing the completion of a large multicentre study and the paper being published. Very satisfying.
Low Points
Trying to submit anything to anyone just before Christmas and expecting to get a reply...
NEVER submit anything important three weeks before Christmas!
Future Plans
My career is peppered with different roles but I believe now that clinical research is where my focus will continue in a managerial capacity, despite the *trials* and tribulations in clinical research.
