Laura Contreras

I attribute much of my success to my parents. Both of them are incredibly hardworking individuals who made countless sacrifices to give me opportunities they never had themselves. Their desire to create a better life for our family is what brought us to the United States, and that decision ultimately shaped the trajectory of my life and career.

More importantly, they always believed in my potential, even during times when I was still finding my path. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and confidence in me gave me the foundation to pursue opportunities, overcome challenges, and continue growing professionally. They taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, humility, and resilience—qualities that have guided me throughout my career.

When I reflect on what I've accomplished, I see their influence in every milestone. I am incredibly grateful for the sacrifices they made and the example they set, and I consider them instrumental to everything I have achieved.

The best career advice I ever received was to keep searching for your purpose and passion, and not to be afraid if your path looks different from everyone else's.

Early in my academic and professional journey, I changed directions several times. I studied tourism, then business, then economics, and for a while I felt embarrassed that I couldn't seem to find the "right" path. I worried that I was falling behind or making the wrong decisions, and my parents were understandably concerned that I kept changing my mind.

Looking back, however, every one of those experiences taught me something valuable and helped shape who I am today. While my degree may not directly align with the work I do now, the skills, perspectives, and experiences I gained along the way have absolutely influenced my success. Those detours weren't mistakes—they were part of the journey.

What I've learned is that careers are rarely linear. Sometimes the path to finding the right fit requires exploration, curiosity, and the courage to pivot when something doesn't feel right. Ultimately, all of those changes led me to a career in clinical research that I genuinely love and where I have been able to build a fulfilling and meaningful career. Had I not been willing to keep searching, I might never have found the profession that was right for me.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to never be afraid to use your voice.

Early in my career, I often found myself in rooms where I was one of the more junior people, and as someone who immigrated to the United States and learned English as a second language, there were times when I hesitated to speak up. I worried about saying something incorrectly, being misunderstood, or not having enough experience to contribute.

What I learned over time is that your perspective has value, regardless of your title, age, or background. If you have an idea, a solution, or a different way of looking at a problem, share it. Sometimes the insight you're hesitant to voice is exactly what the team needs to hear.

Don't let fear of making a mistake, speaking with an accent, or being the least experienced person in the room prevent you from contributing. Confidence doesn't come from having all the answers—it comes from being willing to participate, learn, and grow. Creating a voice for yourself starts with speaking up, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Some of the biggest opportunities in my career came because I was willing to raise my hand, share my perspective, and contribute to the conversation. Your voice matters, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner others will too.

One of the biggest realities of our industry is that it is filled with incredibly talented, intelligent, and driven professionals. Clinical research and drug development attract people who are passionate about science, innovation, and improving patient outcomes, which creates a highly competitive environment.

Because of that, I believe one of the greatest opportunities—and challenges—is finding what differentiates you. Technical expertise and strong performance are important, but they are often not enough on their own. The individuals who stand out are those who continuously look for ways to add unique value, solve problems, build relationships, lead through influence, and make a meaningful impact beyond their core responsibilities.

For me, success has come from constantly asking myself, "What can I do better? What can I learn next? How can I contribute in a way that creates value for my team and organization?" In an industry where many people are exceptionally qualified, your differentiator may be your leadership style, your ability to collaborate, your creativity, your resilience, or your willingness to take on challenges that others avoid.

The opportunity for professionals entering this field is tremendous because the industry continues to evolve rapidly, with new technologies, therapies, and ways of working. Those who remain curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous growth will be well positioned to succeed. The key is not to compete by being exactly like everyone else, but to identify and cultivate the qualities that make you uniquely valuable.

The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are empathy, integrity, honesty, kindness, and doing what is right—even when it is not the easiest path.

In the work that I do, every decision ultimately has the potential to impact patients and their families. Because of that, I believe empathy is essential. It's important to remember that behind every data point, protocol, and operational decision is a person who has volunteered to participate in research, often with the hope of improving their own health or helping future patients. Keeping that perspective helps guide how I approach my work and the decisions I make.

Integrity and ethics are equally important to me. Clinical research is built on trust, and maintaining that trust requires honesty, transparency, and a commitment to doing the right thing, even when it may be difficult or unpopular. I believe that long-term success is built on credibility and character, not just results.

Kindness is another value that I try to bring into every interaction. Whether working with colleagues, investigators, patients, or family and friends, I believe people remember how you make them feel. Treating others with respect, compassion, and understanding not only strengthens relationships but also creates environments where people can do their best work.

At the end of the day, I strive to lead with empathy, act with integrity, and treat others with kindness. Those values guide both my professional decisions and the way I live my life.