Mathurin-Gervais decided to apply for this fellowship opportunity because her Program Director, Dr. Doreen W Lechner, has been a major advocate as a mentor. She states, “I wanted to use research for the overall good of humanity and so when I encountered the fellowship application while enrolled in the Clinical Research Management Program. Dr. Lechner has accompanied me through all my research activities with an interest to obtain data on best practices for increasing clinical research literacy in targeted populations.”

My studies have offered a window into the importance of community-based partnership when conducting research, and I believe that this fellowship opportunity would help me understand the intricacies of various community engagement best practices that I can use as a researcher.”

Mathurin-Gervais’ day-to-day fellowship training and activities aligns with the general roles and responsibilities of a study coordinator at a clinical research site. She shares, “All of my experiences fall into three notable categories (1) Advanced Clinical Research Management Research Professional Development and Training developed by the ACRP (Association for Clinical Research Professionals) (2) Assignment to the Merck IMPOWER 022 study at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Clinical Research Center Research with a Heart and (3) Preparing a Manuscript for Publication in a Peer-Reviewed Journal.”

The work with the Merck IMPOWER 022 study is what inspired Alene the most. Mathurin details, “It is a Phase 3, randomized, active-controlled, doubled-blind clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral islatravir once-monthly, as preexposure prophylaxis in cisgender women at high risk for HIV-1 infection. The trial compares the efficacy and safety of islatravir to Truvada which is an antiretroviral FDA-approved drug used as a PrEP in high-risk HIV-1 individuals.”  Her newfound knowledge is helping to increase awareness of PrEP drugs in minority communities, giving the opportunity to give members the tools they need to make health decisions that are in own interests.

Mathurin-Gervais’ final close-out projects include (1) preparing a manuscript for publication, (2) giving a poster presentation at the NJ ACTS Intern and Fellowship Symposium, and (3) crafting a summary of her fellowship experiences while working on the IMPOWER 022 study.

When asked about her future after participating in the NJ ACTS CRM Fellowship, Mathurin-Gervais responded, “I say this humbly, my future is very bright! This fellowship opportunity has given me valuable and transferable experiences as a translational researcher. I am no longer threatened by the intricacies of writing a systematic research manuscript for publication. Dr. Lauren Aleksunes once said that some translational researchers are boundary crossers, capable of leaving their silos and navigating across new research territories. I look forward to chances to navigate across translational research areas as a team player, keeping in mind the importance of patient populations’ perspectives while striving to adapt these perspectives in all stages of research.”

Mathurin says, “I am deeply honored to have been named a NJ ACTS/Rutgers School of Health Professions Fellow in Clinical Research Management. The incredible training opportunities and other experiences that have followed have been milestones in my career. I offer my sincere thanks to each of the professionals who oversee and implement this program—their dedication and diligence have been evident every step of the way. The members of the incredible team at the Workforce Development Core of NJ ACTS have been excellent resources who have created a myriad of innovative training opportunities. I must especially thank Yasheca Ebanks, NJ ACTS Project Manager, who seemed to have the answer to every question I asked—her professionalism made my time as a Fellow far easier.”

“…Understand the sheer significance of this opportunity and your role in helping shape the outcome of your time as a fellow. Have intellectual humility—you’ll learn more and may even question things you thought you knew. (That’s what can happen when you employ the Socratic method!)

Your fellowship guidance is your bible, guiding you toward important deadlines and deliverables. Have fun along the way, and find creative ways of managing stress. The workload is intense, but it’s manageable.

Finally, you’ll come across some brilliant minds that may cause you to question your own brilliance. Remember that greatness lies within each of us and that collectively we can use what we have, through team efforts, to advance the field of translational science together.”