Meera Kothari Gosalia, Clinical Research Associate Manager, discovered clinical research in college and instantly fell in love. However, she didn’t understand the true significance of it until she joined Medpace as an intern. Upon entering the clinical research field, Meera had three main career goals she planned to achieve: gain experience in clinical research, work as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA), and become a CRA Manager. Almost ten years into her career at Medpace, Meera now reflects on working her way from intern to manager.
As a Cincinnati native, Meera had “heard great things about Medpace’s culture, training programs, and support to their employees.” Right away, she knew she’d fit in with Medpace and their values. So, once she graduated from college with her degree in life sciences, Meera was ready to dive into clinical research. She was thoroughly enthralled with clinical research, and she feels exactly the same way today as she did then.
“It is fascinating to be a part of something that will impact the future of medicine and the healthcare of patients.”
Meera joined Medpace as a Senior Intern assisting both CRAs and various other departments. Her internship created an optimal environment for her to create a network of peers to help her move forward in her goal of becoming a CRA Manager. In just a short six months, Meera took one step closer towards her goal: she was promoted to CRA. In this new opportunity, she discovered the environment that she thrives in is “the dynamic of having a team who can rely on each other for support.”
Five years after she moved into her role as a CRA, Meera reached her goal and was promoted to CRA Manager. She takes full advantage of the opportunity to incorporate the team dynamic that enticed her as a CRA with her new team of CRAs. Through her confidence and adaptability, she has been able to see the results of the community she has built among her team and apply the experience she learned working as an intern and a CRA.
As a manager, Meera considers the biggest difference between her professional self as an intern and her professional self now is confidence. Looking back on her career so far, she says she feels “more confident now than when I started at Medpace.” She explains she has been able to expand her skills through the different positions she has held throughout her career. For example, her experience as a CRA monitoring oncology studies has shaped her ability to adapt. “I have learned to be more flexible and adaptable. We are involved in an ever-evolving industry which at times can feel very fast-paced,” she says. Meera’s team of CRAs came to Medpace with all different types of professional backgrounds, and she is proud to be a leader with the knowledge to optimize their skills.
Starting as an intern, Meera came to Medpace to grow her career. For those who are at the beginning of their careers, no matter the profession, Meera has some truly timeless advice, “Stay curious. Ask questions. Surround yourself with opportunities that will continue to challenge you.”
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