Her Story
About Iwona
Iwona Smusz-Drexler is a Senior Clinical Research Associate at Worldwide Clinical Trials, based in Jacksonville, Florida. She brings more than eight years of clinical research experience, including five years dedicated to oncology monitoring. Her focus is hematology/oncology, solid tumors, and advanced therapies such as CAR-T, and she supports Phase I through IV studies in line with ICH-GCP, FDA, and global regulatory requirements. Working remotely and on-site at hospitals and cancer centers, she verifies patient safety, ethical standards, adequate chemotherapy supplies, and accurate data entry. She also partners with investigators from site selection through close-out.
Her path into research began after she immigrated from Poland and learned English, going on to earn a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Caldwell University. She started as a medical laboratory scientist in New Jersey, then relocated to Florida. There she built hands-on patient care experience as a phlebotomist and patient care technician at Mayo Clinic before advancing through associate clinical research coordinator and clinical research coordinator roles. She later moved into site monitoring at Fortrea before joining Worldwide Clinical Trials, and she is currently pursuing an MBA.
Iwona's career is driven by a childhood wish to help contribute to the fight against cancer. She credits her determination, her husband's steady encouragement, and the independence she gained after moving to Florida. Guided by kindness and respect for others, she volunteers with her daughter to support the homeless and serves through her church. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, gardening, and home projects such as painting. Looking ahead, she hopes to travel less, spend more time with her daughter, and grow toward a role such as clinical trial manager or research director. She also wants to be a role model for women entering healthcare and research.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Iwona
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my own determination and to my husband, who kept encouraging me to push forward. Moving from New Jersey to Florida made me a stronger person. Living away from my parents meant I had to handle many things on my own. Through it all, I never gave up.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to be patient and persevere. Anyone entering a new industry should not expect immediate success. Give yourself time to learn, do your research, and build your expertise. My own career has shown me the value of continuing forward even when the path isn't clear.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Talk to people who are already in the industry and learn as much as you can from them. Be patient, because nothing will be handed to you. You have to work for it. Don't stop, regroup when you need to, and never give up. Be patient with yourself, because sometimes you have to go through the smaller jobs first.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges are the mental and emotional demands of oncology research, especially when outcomes are disappointing, and balancing work travel with family life. The opportunities are significant, as many doors are opening in the pharmaceutical industry that lead to roles such as clinical trial manager or associate director.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Helping and being good to other people are what matter most to me. I treat others the way I want to be treated, and I am committed to instilling these values in my daughter.
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