We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leah Morse a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Leah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
As the owner of Atlanta Biomedical Clinical Research, it was important for us to bring ethical Clinical Research trials to the Atlanta area that were inclusive of people of color. History shows the negative impact of unethical and indecent research being conducted on people of color. This lack of ethics has caused skepticism and disinterest in taking part in clinical research trials. Our goal is to properly educate and include people of color in ethical research so that we are represented in medical and device trials. This will lead to better information, treatment and survival rates for people of color in the medical field. Our purpose is to ensure representation in research to ensure better treatment options for people of color in medicine.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
After graduating University of Georgia, I moved back to Atlanta and worked in behaviorial research at Emory University. While working at Emory, I became interested in clinical research which was geared more toward medicines and medical devices. A very dear friend helped me move into the clinical research industry in 2001 and the love and journey began. I have worked for multiple Pharmaceutical companies in different capacities. I have worked as a Clinical Research Associate, Project Manager, Data Manager and CRA Manager among other positions. Throughout these experiences, a glaring fact was there was little to no representation in the data for people of color. This is where my dream and goal of opening Atlanta Biomedical Clinical Research and providing representation of people of color began. We are excited to be one of the leading research sites that specializes in people of color participating in research. We pride ourselves on educating the community on clinical research trials and the importance of participating. Our upcoming trials are in the field of dermatology and women’s health.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe the 3 most important skills that were most impactful on my journey are persistence, confidence and flexibility. First, the science field of clinical research is tough to enter. Having a persistent nature and ensuring that you do not give up easily was key to my entering the field and maintaining my career. Second, clinical research requires confidence and focus because you must learn a multitude of information in a short time and prepare to present this information to doctors and patients. This means you must know the information well to confidently present it to two separate groups. Lastly, flexibility is important because information changes rapidly in the medical field. You must be able to think on your feet and switch gears when necessary. This can be frustrating but it is very necessary to move through the field of clinical research. My advice for anyone wanting to enter the clinical research field is to seek out a mentor who is already in the field. This person will be able to help you enter the field and guide you along the way.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho played an important role in my development and how Atlanta Biomedical Clinical Research moves in this world. One of the most valuable nuggets in the book is how important understanding the “Greater Good” is when working in your field. Selfishness and greed can cloud your judgement and make business and life very difficult. However, if you are working for the greater good and your intention is to help”people” you will experience extreme happiness and success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abcresearchinc.com
Image Credits
Lisa Jones Photographed all photos included
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
