Her Story
About Samantha
Samantha Whall is a clinical research professional with approximately three years of experience in the field. She holds an undergraduate degree in animal science with a minor in chemistry from UW-River Falls and completed a Master's in clinical research management in 2024. After initially pursuing veterinary medicine and working in preclinical research, Whall transitioned to clinical research where she contributes to advancing medical therapies, including transcatheter mitral valves. In her role, she manages stakeholder meetings, protocol amendments, IRB approvals, and processes for feasibility and pivotal trials. Whall credits her rapid learning to working at startup companies with diverse teams from varied backgrounds and the support of good mentors. She values being forthcoming and upfront with others as well as following through on commitments, both professionally and personally. Among the advice she offers is to view feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism and, for young women entering the industry, to remain open to questions and feedback without taking oneself too seriously.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Samantha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to working at a couple startup companies with diverse groups from different backgrounds, which allowed me to learn quicker and gain a broader background in research. Also, surrounding myself with good mentors who push you farther than any amount of exposure.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received is about how to receive feedback - not to look at it as someone putting you down, but rather as an opportunity to do better and get more clarity. Use it as an opportunity for growth instead of just thinking you did something wrong. Once I got that advice, I changed my way of thinking and it's a lot easier now, and I feel like I always grow if something bad happens.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would be not to take yourself too seriously. Everyone is more or less open to helping, and we all want our trials to go well, so just being open to feedback and open to asking questions is the best way to get into the industry, have people start to notice you, and be able to move up a little quicker.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There are a lot of opportunities within the industry as it's growing with different kinds of devices and therapies coming onto the market, providing opportunities for different experiences and positions. Challenges include the FDA looking to improve patient diversity more recently, and finding our niche of patients that need to be treated while encouraging diversity, which is usually one of the biggest challenges in any clinical trial.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being forthcoming and upfront with people has been much more valuable than a lot of people take it for, as well as being able to follow through on something that you've committed to. Those are probably my biggest two, and they apply for both personal and professional.
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