Supporting Clinical Trials Development and Administration

Katie Hammond is the managing director at the Center for Clinical Research (CCR) at the NUCATS  (Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences) Institute. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Iowa, and her MBA from National Louis University.  

Where is your hometown?  

I grew up in Frankfort, Illinois for most of my childhood. Currently, my husband, Joel, and I raise our two children, Zander (4) and Ava (2), in the western suburbs.  

What led you to Northwestern?   

While I was in college, I worked at the Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders where I became interested in human subject research. After graduation, I began at The University of Chicago as a clinical research coordinator primarily coordinating pediatric oncology studies for solid tumors. Later, I was hired at Children’s Memorial/Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem-Cell Transplantation. While at what is now known as Lurie Children’s Hospital, I was able to lead a gene therapy program for hemoglobinopathies which I was extremely enthusiastic about. I was fortunate to have wonderful principal investigators and administrators that mentored me to become the research manager of the division. During my time as manager, we had well over 200 active clinical trials and 35 research staff. I was drawn to Feinberg to gain more leadership experience and continue to be part of a mission focused on academic research. I joined the Department of Surgery in 2021 as an administrative director supporting health services/outcomes research and other strategic research initiatives within the greater department. In July 2023, I started with NUCATS as the managing director at the Center for Clinical Research.    

What are you currently working on?  

In April, I attended the Association for Clinical & Translational Science meeting, where I was able to gain a wealth of information and knowledge from peer CTSA (Clinical and Translational Science Award) institutions regarding ways to grow the clinical research workforce. I look forward to finding ways to support research staff throughout Feinberg, as they are a critical part of each study team. This summer we are excited to launch a new research coordinator onboarding course that orients research personnel to the resources and policies for conducting studies at Feinberg.  

How does your work support the research enterprise at Feinberg? 

The NUCATS Institute’s Center for Clinical Research supports the essential infrastructure for clinical research to take place. Through the NMH Clinical Research Unit, CCR offers research-specific nursing and laboratory services on Galter 15, as well as mobile research nursing services throughout Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Our CCR Regulatory Unit leads Feinberg study teams with IRB submissions, and all other essential regulatory responsibilities. The CCR Finance Unit team members are also experts at clinical trial budgets and contracts for industry-sponsored studies. Additionally, we have a project management team that supports compliance with ClinicalTrials.Gov, as well as new initiatives that are forthcoming from the CCR. 

Why do you enjoy working at Northwestern? 

I enjoy the people, and working in an environment that is so enthusiastic to expand our research enterprise. I have also been able to join Northwestern committees such as the ANUW Leadership Development Committee and HR Well-Being Champions Committee which has allowed me to meet dedicated leaders throughout the university.