By Karen List
Natalie Connors, class of 2018, is Clinical Research Coordinator for the Neurology Department at Mass General Hospital in Boston. When Neurology starts new research studies or clinical trials for Huntington Disease, Natalie’s job is to review all of the relevant information and submit condensed – yet thorough – reports to the hospital review board for approval. This process involves collecting and synthesizing information from lead scientists and sponsors on the research itself and on any drugs/devices being investigated, as well as on relevant prior research.
Natalie is one of many Journalism grads who go on to graduate law or medical school. She’s completing her medical school applications now.
"Research reports are daunting tasks, but my background in journalism has helped me immensely in the work I do. I feel confident about my reports because I had experience in my journalism classes with sorting information and summarizing in a way that makes sense. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the jargon, but my journalism professors always emphasized the importance of attention to detail and being able to explain complex ideas in layman's terms, which in clinical research is a must. My journalism classes definitely instilled all these values in me!"