Client Experience Team Lead Jennifer DeZurik brings both professional and deeply personal connections to Advarra and the world of clinical R&D. With nearly a decade of industry experience, from working directly with patients at a research site to helping clients navigate Advarra’s Center for IRB Intelligence (CIRBI) platform, Jennifer is passionate about advancing research and protecting participants. In this conversation, she shares how her background shapes her approach to client support, how collaboration drives Advarra’s success, and what excites her most about the upcoming launch of the next generation of CIRBI.
What inspired your connection to research and how has it shaped your perspective?
My connection to research became incredibly personal this past year. I gave birth to my daughter four months early, and she’s been receiving treatments made possible through decades of clinical research, including surfactant therapy, which helps premature babies’ lungs develop. It’s given me an even deeper appreciation for what our industry achieves. Before joining Advarra, I worked at a research site for six years, so I’ve seen firsthand how much these studies mean to patients and families. That experience reminds me daily that the work we do isn’t just about systems or processes. It’s about saving lives and improving care.What motivated you to join Advarra, and how has your experience compared to expectations?
What motivated you to join Advarra, and how has your experience compared to expectations?
I joined Advarra two years ago because I was interested in understanding the IRB side of clinical research. I wanted to see how ethics, safety, and patient well-being are protected behind the scenes. Advarra’s workforce is primarily remote, and part of me expected that transition to feel isolating. But it’s been quite the opposite. Advarra fosters such a strong sense of connection through regular town halls and team meetings. Even virtually, I know my teammates’ favorite baseball teams and family updates! That sense of community makes collaboration seamless and helps us provide consistent, thoughtful support to our clients.
Can you share a moment when teamwork made a real impact for a customer?
One standout moment was during the pediatric COVID studies. Everything moved at lightning speed. Patients arrived unexpectedly. Long days. Constant adjustments. In those high-pressure moments, our ability to quickly connect across teams made all the difference. Whether it was troubleshooting in CIRBI or coordinating with client services, everyone pulled together to get answers fast while maintaining patient safety. It showed how Advarra’s culture, built on communication and collaboration, translates directly into better, more responsive service for our customers and the study participants they serve.
What excites you most about the next generation of CIRBI and the future of Advarra’s platform?
I’m thrilled to see how clients will respond to the next generation of CIRBI. Our team has spent months documenting user feedback and testing updates, and it’s clear that this new version directly addresses many of our clients’ biggest challenges. It’s more intuitive, streamlined, and designed with the client in mind. Even something as simple as the “Contact IRB” button, which is so often overlooked, will play a key role in helping clients get answers faster. I can’t wait to see how these improvements enhance their workflows and, ultimately, help them focus more on advancing research and caring for patients.
