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#IamMGHresearch tells the stories of our research community. Meet Klaudia Rymaszewski, Lead, Research and Innovation at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH).
"In university, I studied Ecology and Evolution. I was able to take a summer abroad course and visit the Galapagos Islands: 'the birthplace of evolution.' Getting to see and learn about the diverse species of the islands firsthand, from finches to giant tortoises to marine iguanas, was a special experience that deepened my interest in how genetics can impact health and disease.
These experiences studying adaptation and survival in nature made me curious about the factors that shape human health outcomes. After graduation, I started working as a research coordinator at Sinai Health in Toronto recruiting participants for various studies, which gave me hands-on experience in clinical research. I eventually joined a team conducting clinical trials on COVID-19 treatments during the early years of the pandemic.
My experience during those years inspired me to deepen my understanding of public health, so I pursued a Master of Public Health at the University of Guelph. Following my studies, I worked at Women's College Hospital in a role focused on research ethics.
Research is an ever-evolving landscape with constant change and advancement. Having experienced the research side as a coordinator, I was curious to learn about the administration side of research – and that's what led me to my current role at MGH!
As Lead, Research and Innovation, my role has two main responsibilities. The first is overseeing the Research Ethics Board (REB) and Quality Improvement (QI) submissions that are submitted for review. I find it very rewarding to ensure ethical considerations are met in research and that the rights, safety and welfare of research participants are properly protected, as outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans - TCPS2 (2022).
I'm also helping to implement new electronic software that will transform how we manage research at MGH. The software will streamline processes that are currently manual and make it easier for our investigators to submit applications and for our team to track studies through their entire lifecycle.
Working in research ethics is a new field for me and I'm really fortunate that I'm surrounded by so many knowledgeable individuals. We’re a team of problem solvers and it's amazing to see how we can creatively tackle challenges.
Being able to see all the innovative studies taking place at MGH is special – I really feel a sense of community at MGH and feel connected to the research that's happening here. We have a very patient-centered, inclusive approach to research and it's evident in each REB application we receive.
As we further embed research into clinical programs at MGH, I’m proud to be a part of this team at such a pivotal moment.”
