In this interview, we speak with Clare Preskey about her day-to-day in the Nottingham clinic.
Clare Preskey is Executive Director of Clinical Operations, responsible for the oversight of day-to-day activities that take place in our Nottingham Phase I clinic. This includes volunteer screening and management, oversight of our clinical laboratory and pharmacy teams to ensure on-time project delivery, and driving continuous improvement and innovation initiatives.
Looking back to when you were first starting your career, was your goal to be where you are now?
I have always held a passion for science and the study of physiology and pharmacology. I started my career at Quotient Sciences in 2010 fresh out of university as a Clinical Scientist. My key responsibilities were ensuring the well-being of our volunteers and the collection of clinical data.
Later, I moved into Project Management, where I gained valuable experience in customer management and developed a broader understanding of our business. I held several roles within Project Management, last as a Team Lead prior to moving into a clinical operations role. I have always held a passion for clinical sciences and operational excellence, so my current role is a great fit.
What are some of the biggest changes and improvements that you have seen over the years at Quotient Sciences?
When I first joined the company, we were a much smaller business: one building containing a 30-bed clinical unit, a GMP suite, and approximately 100 employees. The people at Quotient Sciences are at the heart of the business; we have a great culture and tight-knit teams. Close teamwork is imperative when managing complex and integrated projects in short timeframes for our customers.
Quotient Sciences has always had a focus on continuous improvement and high-quality standards. The biggest change has been the expansion in facilities and capacity, including the evolution of our Translational Pharmaceutics platform, over the last 10 years. Despite our growth, the ethos of who we are and what we do has not changed. We’ve been able to retain our core values, agility, and integrated processes.
We never stand still; we are always pushing boundaries, trying to do things better and more efficiently! I am privileged to work with such committed, talented teams.
How do the different functions work together to deliver Translational Pharmaceutics programs?
Teamwork is key to any Translational Pharmaceutics program and establishing cohesive communication channels across departments. Our processes have been built over many years, with SOPs and protocols geared to be adaptive. Planning is also an essential practice that is embedded in our operational processes (e.g. kick-off meetings) to ensure the highest quality project delivery that is the right first time.
What do you enjoy most about your role and why? How do you see your role evolving as the business grows?
The environment at Quotient Sciences is dynamic and fast-paced. Every day brings different challenges and opportunities!
We work with so many different customers, molecules, and study designs. My colleagues are incredibly passionate and dedicated to every one of our projects and customers. We learn and grow together, expanding our knowledge and gaining new skills. Getting things right the first time is very important to me.
I love what we do and I always feel energized to come to work, ready to learn and take on the next challenge.