What is clinical
research?
Many people think of lab work when they hear the word research,
but clinical research involves human subjects instead of test tubes. Clinical
research can be used to test drugs and medical devices intended for human use.
I work on a SmartWatch clinical trial with Dr. Jennifer Langer in the UVA
Adolescent Epilepsy Clinic. We enroll adolescent patients in the study with
parental consent and provide them with SmartWatch technology that detects
convulsive movements. The purpose of the study is to test if the medical device
improves the quality of life of these patients.
Clinical research is a great opportunity for a student
looking to get clinical and research experience in one.
What made you decide
to engage in this clinical opportunity?
After my first year I was in search of a research
opportunity focused on epilepsy because I have a family member with the disease.
At the time, I was not aware of clinical research; I just thought I would be
working at a bench. When Dr. Langer responded to one of my many emails seeking
a research position, I was happy to learn I would have an opportunity to
connect with patients and explore an area of research I was unfamiliar with. And
as someone interested in neurology, I saw it as a chance to learn about the
medical science behind epilepsy including types of seizures and treatment
options.
How did this
opportunity help you prepare for your next step?
My clinical research opportunity was a significant
stepping-stone for my present and future epilepsy-related clinical and
volunteering endeavors. During my second-year my experiences with epilepsy
patients inspired me to start an organization at UVA that raises epilepsy
awareness in the UVA/ Charlottesville community and fundraises for epilepsy
research, education, and treatment. Dr. Langer connected me with the Executive
Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia (EFVA) so that my organization,
Spreading Epilepsy Awareness (SEA), can partner with EFVA to carry out our
efforts. Through my work with SEA and EFVA I got connected with CareEpilepsy, a
non-profit based in the UK that aims to improve the lives of epilepsy patients
in African countries. I hosted a fundraiser for CareEpilepsy and raised over
$3,000, leading to my role as their US ambassador. I am now planning to travel
to one of their project sites, Ethiopia, in the summer of 2017 to design a
youth support program for children and young adults with epilepsy. I still
continue to work with Dr. Langer on our SmartWatch trial, with a plan to get
published next year and I am very grateful for the doors this opportunity has
opened for me.
Is there anything
else you would like to add?
I recommend that all pre-health students should find an area
they are passionate about and expand their experiences around that central topic
of interest. That’s the most rewarding way to fulfill clinical, research, and volunteering
requirements for medical school.
Meheret Kinfe is a 3rd
year pre-med student in the College majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring
in Social Entrepreneurship. She is the founder of the Virginia Alpha PhiDE Chapter
and a member of the Pre-Health Student Leadership Advisory Board.
