Employee Spotlight – Ana Christensen

February 19, 2020

All of us at the TRiNDS team come to work every day committed to conducting the best quality rare disease and neuromuscular research. Today we’d like to introduce Ana Christensen, Lead Project Manager, Strategic Solutions. We sat down with Ana to learn more about her and her work.

1.  How did you come to work in clinical research?

Ana: I started in clinical research completely by accident. When I was working on my Master’s in Public Health, I thought I would work for a local or state health department. By the time I finished, the available jobs in my area were in clinical research, so I decided to give it a try. I was a site research coordinator for clinical trials and academic research over 12 years in infectious diseases, asthma, medical education, procedural sedation, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I think clinical research is a powerful way to answer important questions that support better clinical care, better treatments for patients, and better outcomes for families living with chronic illness.

2.  What does your typical day look like at TRiNDS?

Ana: I support TRiNDS’ Strategic Solutions – our set of unique services that help clients navigate the unique needs of rare neuromuscular drug development. One of my main roles is to help clients engage with the communities they hope to serve. You’re likely to meet me at US community events and conferences, helping families to understand clinical trials. When I’m not travelling, I manage client projects that use Strategic Solutions – everything from our network of Clinical Evaluations Managers to our standing Data Safety Monitoring Board.

3. What are you most excited about for the future of neuromuscular research?

Ana: I am inspired by the hope for better treatments for people with neuromuscular disorders. When I started coordinating clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, there was only one trial available. Now, there is an entire pipeline of investigational drugs and treatments being studied by companies and researchers around the world.