Student Work Position: Clinical Research Intern at TRiNDS

August 2018 was a month full of life-changes. I moved across the country, I started graduate school in the University of Pittsburgh Genetic Counseling Program, and I learned about the work of a contract research organization.

 A contract research organization, or CRO, is a company that provides support and resources for clinical trial management. The type of services provided include clinical operations, data management, biostatistical, and safety monitoring for research centers or pharmaceutical companies. These services facilitate clinical research trials by coordinating the day to day needs for the successful completion of these trials. 

  For my student work position, I have the privilege of working as a clinical research intern at Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (TRiNDS), a full service CRO specializing in neuromuscular diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMB) to name a few. As a clinical research intern, my main job is to support the project managers at TRiNDS. To do this, I generate reports for each of the studies, which inform the project managers of the study’s progress and potential matters that need to be addressed. In addition, I organize and manage study files, documentation, and site personnel through TRiNDS’s clinical trial management system and trial master file. I help distribute study documentation to the study sites and communicate with certain site personnel, such as physical therapists, to manage their necessary training credentials.

 My work at TRiNDS mainly focuses on clinical research trials that develop therapeutic drugs for DMD, a rare, neuromuscular disorder. DMD is a devastating X-linked genetic condition that causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. My position has not only provided me with knowledge on how therapeutic drugs are developed for rare diseases like DMD, but has also provided me with insight on how resilient the DMD community is finding a cure for this disorder. 

 Additionally, I have the privilege of working with a dedicated and diverse group of TRiNDS employees. Two of my colleagues are genetic counselors, offering me with a unique view on how genetic counselors can work with and aid individuals with genetic conditions. As a genetic counseling student, seeing firsthand the diverse roles genetic counselors can play in research is an exciting and enlightening opportunity.

 Through my time at TRiNDS, I have gained a deep appreciation for the world of clinical research trials, which was not long ago completely foreign to me. The time and work that countless people invest in these trials is no minor feat. I have consistently been inspired by the dedication I have seen at TRiNDS, especially towards the goal of carrying out the most successful therapeutic research trial possible. The motivation of TRiNDS employees to help improve both the lives of the children with DMD and alleviate the suffering of their families is remarkable.

 Looking back at last August, I am incredibly grateful for all the changes that took place. They have helped me grow both personally and professionally, and TRiNDS played a large role in this process. This has been such a fulfilling work position and I am excited to continue my journey at TRiNDS throughout the next year. 

Caroline Bong, class of 2020