Behind many successful clinical trials is a central laboratory partner that understands both the science and operational challenges faced by Sponsors, sites, and patients. At Medpace’s central labs, our strength lies in experienced leadership, deeply integrated project and data management, and strong scientific rigor.
As part of our ongoing Q&A blog series highlighting the experts behind our central lab services, we sat down with Katie Rinderknecht, MHA, Executive Director of Laboratory Services, to discuss her career journey and how Medpace continues to evolve its central lab operations to better support Sponsors across therapeutic areas and trial phases.
Executive Director, Laboratory Services
Career Journey: Growing with Medpace Central Labs
What initially drew you to joining the Medpace central laboratory team?
I joined Medpace in 2009, driven by an interest in drug development and the opportunity to work for a company directly contributing to the advancement of novel therapeutics. The ability to support studies that ultimately impact patient care was extremely compelling to me.
How has your career evolved since joining Medpace?
I started my career at Medpace as a Project Assistant in Client Services. Over the past 16+ years, I’ve held every position within central lab Project Management, which has given me a comprehensive, end-to-end understanding of how central lab operations support clinical trials. Today, I oversee Project Management and Data Management teams globally, ensuring alignment, quality, and consistency across studies.
Innovation and Operational Impact
In what ways do you see your department evolving in the next few years?
Medpace is consistently focused on making documents, supplies, and workflows easier for sites to use, without compromising compliance or data quality. That commitment will continue as we pursue solutions that ease site burden – ultimately supporting faster, more predictable trial execution for Sponsors.
What scientific or operational challenges are you most interested in solving?
One area I’m particularly passionate about is establishing central lab standards that best support pediatric trials. These studies require thoughtful approaches to sample volumes, logistics, and workflows, and there is an opportunity for innovation that benefits both sites and patients.
Collaboration, Culture, and Leadership
How does cross-functional collaboration contribute to success at Medpace’s central labs?
Cross-functional collaboration is the key to operational excellence. Leaders cannot make decisions in a vacuum. At Medpace, close collaboration between laboratory operations, logistics, scientific staff, project management, and data management allows us to proactively address challenges, align timelines, and deliver consistent results for our Sponsors.
What sets the Medpace central lab culture apart from others in the industry?
Many members of the Medpace central lab team have worked together for decades, and that collective experience is unmatched in the industry. It translates into strong institutional knowledge, stable study teams, and the ability to anticipate challenges before they impact Sponsors or sites.
What keeps you motivated in such a fast-paced, high-stakes environment?
I genuinely love what I do. I love the teams I work with at Medpace, the client relationships we build, and the sites and patients we serve. My goal is to ensure patients are safe and with our help, biotech and pharma companies can bring new solutions to patients.
About Medpace’s Central Laboratories
Strategically located in the US, Belgium, China, and Singapore, Medpace’s central laboratories have the global reach and capability to conduct studies, assist with regulatory requirements, and deliver custom solutions specific to our Sponsor’s needs. Our four wholly owned laboratories offer full-service support to six continents for phase I-IV studies, enhanced by our extensive experience running small to complex, global studies. Our standardized testing platforms, comprehensive test menu, and expert project management teams ensure seamless execution of customized projects.
