Damien Hall - Senior Clinical Trial Manager & Compliance Manager
What do you do?
Well, the good thing is my experiences working literally in all facets (Site, Academic, Military, CRO, and Sponsor). My clinical research expertise includes Phase I-IV oncology/Immunoncology, rare disease, medical device, infectious disease, haematology, autoimmune, and most recently, psychedelic research. I’m currently in a hybrid role combining Clinical Trial Management with Compliance. The kaleidoscope of my role is helping manage clinical trial oversight while assisting with compliance development and readiness.
What do you enjoy about your role?
That I assist and work cross-functionally to collaborate with amazing people.
How did you get into Pharma?
While in Physician Associate school in Miami, FL, I met an old military colleague I played sports with who was working for a clinical research site. They were looking for people with healthcare experience which, as a corpsman I had. The rest is history!
Why Pharma?
I enjoy the clinical operational aspects and it allows me to collaborate on cutting edge technologies alongside brilliant people.
What has your experience been being #BlackInPharma?
My experiences vary. For example, I was at an Investigator’s Meeting with my Manager, who was also a Black man. While waiting for our COO, a White woman came to us with a $50 bill and asked us to take her bags to her room.While working in an CRO, I was preparing the room for a Site Initiation Visit (SIV) and the PI happened to ask me to get him some coffee while asking who the presenter was. When I informed him I was the presenter, a flurry of questions came showering down about how I got into industry, and as my White colleagues looked in complete shock, I was later complimented on keeping my “cool”. During a recent contract, I was invited to meet with the CEO of the company as I wanted to learn more about the D&I initiatives in the company and as a Consultant, if I was able to join. The CEO in turn called my Manager and told him he felt I wasn’t as interested in management of my study as I was in D&I. Note the study, one of the ground breakers for the entire company, went from 36 study participants to more than 110 participants, and went into a global Phase two trial. I also got the opportunity while working for a Pharma company to be one of the Black Committee Leaders where we collaborated with AAPI, LGBTQ+, and various other groups within the organisation to educate and be parts of the communities we serve.
As per above, like others who’ve mentioned being marginalized, I’ve definitely experienced this as well. I use my experience and platform to bring others into our profession through networking and sharing experiences. Nevertheless, we have a way to go and I look forward to being part of and seeing our growth.
Top tips to getting into your role/Pharma?
Join organisations like Black Pharma and LinkedIn.
Fun fact
I’m from a family of successful athletes. Also, I’m currently in a non-profit diversity program at the University of Pennsylvania as well as a Film Studies and Visual Arts certificate program at NYU.
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