CCTS Staff Sessions

Q: What is your role at CCTS?

A:  I lead, execute, grow and manage the partnerships and day-to-day operations of the Translational Innovation Program  as well as the Patient & Community Peer Review Academy  of the CCTS which I co-founded and launched.  Plus, I serve on the CCTS DEI workgroup.  From December 2016 (my start date at CCTS) to October 2020, I was also responsible for the Pilot Translational & Clinical Studies Program of the CCTS.  Similarly, the Patient Safety Advancement Grant (PSAG) of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center till November 2019.  I have also had the privilege of serving as the CCTS Concierge from April 2018 to October 2020.  

Q: How do you think the CCTS is impacting medicine?

A: If you ask me, CCTS should be considered as the most dedicated champion of the research enterprise at both Ohio State and NCH.  CCTS uniquely impacts medicine, and I must add, all clinical and translational science to improve human health and human behavior beyond medicine, as a purpose-driven, disease agnostic center that serves all 15 colleges of The Ohio State University.   Our purpose is basically to “get medical and population health interventions to patients and populations more quickly, and to enable research teams, including scientists, patient advocacy organizations and community members, to tackle system-wide scientific and operational problems in clinical and translational research that no one team can overcome in isolation."  In addition to investing in individual researchers and their promising studies through financial, organizational, and educational support, we are all about building bridges to advance translational science, developing and accelerating solutions, especially infrastructure level investments and innovations to achieve our mission. 

Q: What is one thing you want everyone to know about the CCTS?

A: Being a leader, faculty member, staff, researcher, student or patient at a land grant institution that has been awarded the Clinical and Translational Science Award  of the NIH NCATS consecutively since 2008 is something to be very, very proud of.   The CCTS should be on the top of your checklist of activities for each phase of research - planning, implementation, and execution. There’s a vast amount of resources and expertise that is available to all OSU and NCH faculty, staff, and students. Especially for community and stakeholder engagement.  And you don’t really know the CCTS if you don’t know the priceless treasure we have in our brilliant leader, Dr. Rebecca Jackson, who I consider as the “Wonder Woman of Science” and our dedicated team of program directors.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the CCTS?

A: Although my education and background are in the field of pediatric dentistry, I absolutely love the field of translational science and how expansive and limitless it is, when you think of the possibilities and opportunities to push the envelope, change the status quo, and make a real difference to improve the lives of ALL people.   I love working with the clients and partners of the CCTS – our investigators, leaders, administrators, patients as well as industry and community partners.  Especially all the thought leaders, change makers and innovative thinkers.

Q: What do you do in your pass-time?

A: I’m very active with volunteer commitments for the Diversity Council of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, APIDA ERG of Ohio State and 2 non-profit organizations - ASHA Ray of Hope and One Dublin.  But I never miss an opportunity to hang out, eat out or go to a movie or event with my young adult kids or amazing network of friends.  Also events at my church, Vineyard Columbus and outlets for creativity like collaging with the PicCollage app.   

Q: What was your dream job when you were a kid?

A: I had several - first one was to be a teacher, then a missionary, a social worker and even a fashion designer at one point!  But when I selected Math and Science for concentration for the last 2 years of high school in Kuwait, my career choices became much narrower.  

Q: What's your typical day like?

A: Most of my workdays go by too fast and I tend to lose track of time, often forgetting to eat.  My “typical” days changed completely when I became an empty nester last fall.  These days my Siberian Husky, Hercules, and my cat Pusseidon, benefit from all my pampering.  

Q. If you could have a meal with 3 famous people (dead or alive), who would they be and why?

A: I can’t wait to have a meal with my Mom, Alice, who lives in India and is famous in my eyes, especially because she recently survived a hemorrhagic stroke and I haven’t seen her in 4.5 years.  My Mom is a woman of great faith and nobody prays for me like she does.  Besides her, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus of Nazareth.   As a social justice activist, the first two because of their courageous efforts towards the restoration of dignity, freedom and civil rights of Jews and Black Americans, respectively.  As a follower since childhood of the risen Jesus of Nazareth, there’s no other Man whose brilliance, servant leadership, teachings and immense love for all human beings that I admire, respect and adore more.  No one else inspires me and strengthens me on a daily basis to serve others with joy and to face hardships.  

Q: What is your proudest moment?

A: Graduating with a PhD from the School of Hard Knocks with several internships, I suppose!  Jokes aside, I’m really proud of the privilege and blessings I’ve experienced while raising my two kids to adulthood (23 and 19) as a single mother in the USA without family around, against all odds and living paycheck to paycheck.  Jordan and Rachel fill my life with proud and joyful moments every single day!  

Q: Favorite band/song?

A: Grammy award winning song "You Say" by American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter Lauren Daigle.  I love this song because it reminds me of my true identity and worth.