Jessica Carlson grew up with a “super mom” who was always present with affection, support, and a willingness to take her daughter to tennis meets every weekend in blazing summer heat. Seeing her mother get diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, as well as her perseverance despite the debilitating effects of the disease, inspired Carlson to pursue a career in neurology. Now, as our senior clinical research coordinator, Carlson is recruiting patients for our own clinical trails for Parkinson’s disease and supporting our research from submission to the institutional review board (IRB) to approval. In this week’s “spotlight” interview, Carlson talks to us about how her mother is a continuing inspiration, what she loves most about her work, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought her closer to her colleagues.
What are your current responsibilities within the Department? What does a typical day for you look like?
My official title is senior clinical research coordinator, but I’m also the regulatory manager for the Neurology Department. I’m currently recruiting for an out-patient Parkinson’s study. This involves looking through patient charts and determining who will meet inclusion/exclusion criteria. I then call the patients to see if they are interested and try to convince them to do the study by answering all of their questions and going through the protocol with them.
After that the fun begins with screening, randomizing, and working through the study visits. I really get to know the patients during the time that they are in the studies because I become their liaison to the investigators. That’s one of my favorite parts of my job. I previously worked on large memory/Alzheimer’s disease studies, but have recently moved to Parkinson’s disease.
In addition to being a coordinator, I also lead the regulatory group for the Neurology Department. I handle IRB submissions, amendments, CRU review, RDSP (research data storage plan) review, and CQMP (Clinical Quality Management Database) review. If you submit a study to the IRB it will come to me at some point in the approval process. I’m also an Oncore “champion” and handle IRIS support for the clinical research unit.
I feel like I never really have a typical day. Every day is different. I usually have an idea of what I need to get done, but will always get emails from people asking for help or needing something urgently.
How did you decide to work in neurology research?
I decided to get involved with research in neurology because my mother has multiple sclerosis. My mother was diagnosed almost 30 years ago. She has always been the super mom type and a huge inspiration for me. She literally did everything for me and was always there whenever I needed her while I was growing up. I traveled for tennis and she drove me all over the south almost every weekend, never missing a match even in the terrible summer heat. She struggles on a daily basis but has never let it stop her from doing anything that she has ever wanted to do. She is the strongest person that I know. If I ever feel like I can’t do something, I immediately think about her and the obstacles that she has overcome. Because of this, I was drawn to clinical research in Neurology. I wanted to help people like my mom. I definitely feel like I can connect with patients and caregivers because I’ve dealt with or seen my mom deal with things first hand. I’m either on the front lines as a coordinator or behind the scenes trying to get the studies off the ground. I hope the part that I play will make a difference in someone’s life.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your work? What’s one positive strategy or resource you’ve found that helps you cope?
I now work from home some days during the week, which I never would have done before. The kitchen table becomes my desk and I have two young children (5 years old and 16 months), so it’s definitely challenging. I usually go into the office when there are things that I cannot do at home. I feel like working remotely has made our team closer and stronger because we have to be in constant communication by phone, email, Zoom or WebEx with everyone not being physically at the office.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy that my days are never the same. I’ve become sort of a jack of all trades and will some days be down in the clinic handling study patients, while on other days I’m working on administrative tasks. I also like building relationships with the patients. They know that they can call me for anything, and I can find a way to help them.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part is probably prioritizing tasks. I get pulled in so many different directions that I sometimes have difficulty deciding what should be done first.
What other passions or hobbies do you have outside of the Department?
I have a five-year-old daughter (Clara) and a 16 month old son (Nicholas), so my hobbies are limited these days. I used to play a lot of tennis as a 5.0 rated player in USTA leagues, but lately I’m happy with a 30 minute jog around the neighborhood. You will often see me running while pushing a baby in a stroller, dog leash strapped around my waist (I have an 8 year old basset/blue tick mix named Lundi) and a five year old scootering out in front. During the covid quarantine we have enjoyed going on family hikes and going to the beach.
Carlson enjoys a birthday hike with her children Clara and Nicholas in Blackwood farm park earlier this May.