Her Story
About Rhea
Rhea Sharma serves as a director in clinical research with 15 years of experience at a site in Sugar Land, Texas. She began her career with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and microbiology, working as a microbiologist in a lab in India after training at private hospitals. On the advice of a critical care doctor, she transitioned into patient-facing clinical research, later earning a master's degree in the field from Australia. In her current role, Sharma manages daily operations including sponsor communications, study oversight with principal investigators, budgets and contracts, business development for new therapies, coordinator training and staffing, and revenue reconciliation. She credits international study experiences in England and Australia with building her adaptability, which helped her advance quickly from coordinator to director within three years.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rhea
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice was given to me that I need to be in clinical research, because that's where I'm going to best be able to have a good career in. I did my undergrad in biochemistry and microbiology and was stationed as a microbiologist in a lab. The very first doctor I interacted with from Critical Care advised me to move into clinical research.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's very important to have hands-down experience in clinics and face-to-face patient experience. You have to be very empathetic. First 3 to 5 years as a coordinator is very important. Have a mentor, that's very important because you learn from the other person's experiences and their successes.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Staffing is something that is very challenging. When the right team is not aligned, if coordinators leave on a particular study, it requires a lot of training for someone else to come in and pick up the slack.
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