Helen Demarest

What I do at MMV:

In my role as Director, Clinical Operations, I provide strategic and technical guidance to ensure MMV sponsored trials are properly planned, resourced and executed, in alignment with the project strategy, portfolio priorities and in collaboration with the project or clinical leader. I assign resources and provide oversight of all clinical trial operations with regards to planning, execution and reporting to ensure trial design and conduct are fully compliant with ICH/GCP, National Regulatory Authority and Stringent Regulatory Authority standards.

Why I work at MMV:

I have thrived professionally working in an environment with such dedication and enthusiasm. Colleagues within MMV and the wider malaria research community are committed and work to incredibly high standards of professionalism. I enjoy the diversity of the nationalities I work with, and the different strengths and ideas that this brings to the work place. Collaborating in this exciting environment is a tremendous responsibility and privilege. It is very rewarding to feel that our work really does make a difference to the lives of many vulnerable individuals across the world.

More about me:

Prior to joining MMV in early 2012, I had over a decade of experience working for a CRO in the commercial clinical research industry in phase I to IV trials in a variety of therapeutic areas. I’ve worked as a Clinical Research Associate and Project Manager, and have experience supporting the QA department in Clinical Compliance, undertaking SOP writing and review, dissemination of information, training and assessing compliance through Quality Control checks. I have also experienced working on academic clinical trials, at Oxford University, where I was responsible for regional coordination within the project and the development of systems and processes for collection of trial endpoint data for clinical adjudication. I also set up and maintained the Trial Master File.    

Ask me about:

Clinical trials, ICH GCP guidelines, SOPs and archiving. I originally studied Zoology and Psychology at the University of Reading in England, followed by a PhD at the Royal Veterinary College. This background is what led to my research work in the veterinary and farming communities, before moving into human medicinal product development.