Daryl Hagan - KHPeople
What is your role within King’s Health Partners?
I am a Senior Trial Manager at King’s Clinical Trials Unit (KCTU). KCTU is a UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) accredited trials unit that delivers high quality clinical trials ensuring excellence in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of research, for the benefit of patients and society. KCTU has a portfolio of approximately 120 ongoing trials and works closely with King’s Health Partners on many projects. In my role, I am responsible for coordinating clinical trials on the KCTU portfolio, as well supervising junior Trial Managers to ensure trials are delivered to time and to budget.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
What I enjoy most about my role is the dynamic nature of the work. Collaborating with a diverse team spanning various disciplines - from doctors and nurses to statisticians and researchers, and sometimes patients - offers a rich tapestry of perspectives.
Engaging in meaningful communication and working together towards a common goal within a project is incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that my contributions are part of a larger effort to advance research and ultimately improve healthcare for patients in need adds a profound sense of purpose to what I do.
What inspired you to get into this work?
What inspired me to pursue this line of work was my enduring fascination with research and biomedical science. Having a background in physiology, I initially gravitated towards laboratory work, but soon realised it wasn't the right fit for me. Nonetheless, my passion for contributing to scientific advancements remained unwavering. I’ve always wanted to make a tangible difference to both science and society.
Combining the skills I acquired from administrative roles with interest and knowledge in biomedical science, and project management skills I have developed along the way, felt like a natural progression. Managing trials is my way of leaving a meaningful imprint on both the scientific community and the broader realm of healthcare.
What are the benefits of working in partnership?
Working in a partnership brings specialised expertise, cutting-edge resources, and an extensive network to collaborative efforts. This enhances research quality, while connections within the research community broaden opportunities for impactful work. Through interdisciplinary cooperation, the partnership strengthens research credibility and expands the reach of contributions to healthcare.
What would be your career top tips?
Keep growing! There’s always an opportunity to learn something new and add to your skill set.
Don’t be afraid to try something new. The best way to know if a role you’re interested in works for you is to try it. If it doesn’t work out… where one door closes, another will open.
Keep making connections. Ask questions, speak to people and learn from others. You never know where it might take you.
Find out more about the REDRESS trial.