Carrie Williams, Vial’s new Clinical Research Project Manager, discusses her background and what brought her to the Vial team. Carrie joined the Vial team in September 2022. To learn more about opportunities at Vial, visit our careers page and follow us on LinkedIn.
Tell us about your background.
Prior to Vial, I was a radiation therapist for nearly a decade before taking on a clinical applications specialist role. As a CAS, I trained oncology sites on hardware and software, such as EMRs. From there, I landed in the clinical research realm, where I worked for a small biotech company that conducted their own in-house research and phase I immunotherapy trials. Before joining Vial, I was a Project Manager at Precision for Medicine, CRO.
In your past few roles, you’ve seen the challenges of drug development and discovery upfront; where do you see room for technology-enabled infrastructure to support startup biotechs?
Technology has become an increasingly important component of successful businesses across industries. It continues to enhance how we live, communicate with others, and conduct business. By incorporating a technology-enabled infrastructure into startups, companies can create tailored data-driven solutions that help deliver value and drive innovation. Antiquated processes can be strengthened through digitization and automation, saving money and streamlining processes. Furthermore, technology supports and fosters communication by providing and expanding access to vital information sources, allowing for accelerated results. A tech-enabled infrastructure will not only support but enhance the way we compete within the marketplace.
What advice do you have for the founding teams of startup biotechs that are new to clinical development?
My advice would be to continuously ask for feedback and seek advice, internally and externally. The industry is constantly evolving, so by consistently communicating with others, you can learn and proactively work on processes that may be on a troublesome or unsuccessful trajectory.
Additionally, choosing the right team is crucial. Select leaders and team members with diverse backgrounds that are passionate about your company’s missions, values, and goals. Look for leaders who can create an inspiring vision of the future and motivate team members to engage in that vision.
What led you to join Vial?
I have always found the clinical research industry to be fascinating and rewarding, but more than that, I believe in Vial’s mission. I am passionate about the work being done here, and I’m excited about the innovation and developments that are happening at Vial. Being at the forefront of science and technology is something I want to be a part of, and I believe Vial is on the path to making a significant difference in how clinical trials are run.
What are you most excited about over the next year at Vial?
I am most excited to see Vial’s continual growth and innovative approach to managing clinical trials more efficiently. I am eager to further expand and build out Vial’s oncology network. I am looking forward to clients utilizing Vial’s tech-enabled CRO services so that we can produce more efficient trial results and get treatments out to patients sooner. We are in exciting times. Technology and research are shaping our future, and I am fortunate to be a part of it all!
