Rachel Garrett’s career in clinical research has come full circle. After starting her journey at Schulman IRB in 2008, stepping into site-based trauma research, and navigating the disruptions of COVID, she returned to Advarra with a deep well of experience and a renewed sense of purpose. Now a senior client services coordinator, Rachel brings a rare perspective shaped by time spent at an institutional review board (IRB), a contract research organization (CRO), and a research site. In this Q&A, she shares how those experiences influence her day-to-day work, what drew her back to Advarra, and why collaboration, communication, and the right technology matter so much in protecting patients and supporting research teams.
What experiences in research shaped how you see the challenges sites and sponsors face today?
I’ve been in research my entire career, and I’ve seen it from almost every angle. I started at an IRB, spent time at a CRO, and then worked directly at a university trauma research site. That site experience especially changed how I think about my work. I’ve seen signed consent forms, talked to nurses administering study drugs, and watched how research plays out in real time for patients. Because of that, nothing feels abstract to me. Every document matters. Every email matters. Even though my role is often seen as administrative, I know the work I do impacts real people. That perspective keeps me grounded and motivates me to be thorough, responsive, and thoughtful every single day.
What motivated you to return to Advarra, and how did you see it addressing those challenges?
When COVID hit, my team at the university lost funding, and I suddenly found myself looking for my next step. I knew I wanted to stay in research, so I reached out to people I trusted from my early career. That led me back to Advarra. What stood out right away was how much the organization had evolved. The industry had shifted from being very rigid and paper-driven to being more collaborative and client-friendly. Advarra’s approach felt aligned with what sites and sponsors actually need today: partnership, transparency, and flexibility. It felt like the right place to apply everything I’d learned and grow even more.
How do you go above and beyond for customers, and what results have you seen?
For me, it comes down to communication and alignment. I don’t like letting questions sit unanswered or issues linger. If something looks off, I ask about it. If a process isn’t working, I pull people together to talk it through. I’ve seen firsthand how keeping those lines of communication open can make a huge difference. One of my clients has grown significantly during my time working with them, and a lot of that success comes from being responsive, transparent, and proactive. Research can go from calm to chaotic very quickly, so staying connected and using your resources is key.
What has your experience been with the CIRBI platform, and what excites you about what’s next?
Coming from a paper-based world of stamps, files, and FedEx envelopes, the platform was a big shift for me. But now, I can’t imagine working without it. The transparency is incredible. Every action is tracked, every step is documented, and nothing falls through the cracks. It protects coordinators, sponsors, and sites alike. I hear all the time that clients find it more intuitive than other platforms, which says a lot. As for the next generation of CIRBI, I’m excited to see how it continues to refine and support very role-specific needs. It already works well, so building on that foundation is something I really look forward to.
