"The right balance between professionalism and empathy is essential."
ANIMA - FROM THE HEART
Ronald Germeijs started as Study Lead at the Anima Research Center in 2020. With his background as a psychiatric and general nurse, he found a unique opportunity at Anima to apply his knowledge in a new, challenging environment. In this interview, Ronald shares his experiences and insights about his work, the importance of clinical research and the balance between humanity and scientific precision.
What brought you to Anima Research Center, and how did your background prepare you for this?
Anima contacted me because they were looking for a nurse to support studies on antidepressants and vaccinations. With my background in both psychiatry and general nursing, I saw this as a challenging and interesting opportunity. It seemed like a perfect match to apply my skills in a research context.
Can you describe a challenging situation you experienced during a clinical trial?
The corona period was an intense time, especially when we set up a study around the COVID vaccine. The interest was overwhelming, and the pressure to find an effective solution was palpable. Nevertheless, thanks to the strong relationship with the participants and the flexibility of our team, we were able to successfully complete the study. I look back with pride on how we tackled and overcame this challenge.
How does your work contribute to Anima's mission?
My role has evolved from more of an administrative task to a mix of organizational and nursing responsibilities. I especially appreciate the direct contact with participants and ensuring their safety. That makes the work meaningful. Caring for people's health is central, and at Anima we play a crucial role in this. It is wonderful to contribute to the development of new treatments that will change the future of healthcare.
"Although the criticism is sometimes loud, the care and security ensure a reliable process."
What approaches within research at Anima appeal to you?
I am very impressed with how we continue to evolve within Anima. Especially the close collaboration with both participants and sponsors in Phase 1 studies is fascinating. It gives us the opportunity to be at the forefront of new drugs. This versatility and constant learning make working at Anima enormously enriching.
Quality is our number one priority. Clinical research can seem slow, but this is necessary to ensure the safety of treatments. Many people don't understand why we test on healthy volunteers first, for example. However, this is crucial to ensure that drugs are safe before they are used on patients. Although criticism is sometimes loud, diligence and safety are exactly what make the process so reliable.
How do you balance science with the personal aspect of working with patients?
In my career, I have learned to take an objective approach, especially in reporting to sponsors. But the human aspect should never be lost sight of. Building trust with participants and understanding their concerns is just as important. Each participant has unique needs, and finding the right balance between professionalism and empathy is essential for me.
What achievement are you most proud of as an Anima team member?
Every study we complete gives me a sense of accomplishment. What makes me especially proud is the versatility of my work: from laboratory tasks to supervising participants. Every study offers new challenges and learning moments, which always keeps the work interesting.
The most valuable thing is the realization that we are actually contributing to improvements in people's daily lives. For example, in patients with atopic eczema or depression. Seeing positive results after completing a study is incredibly satisfying.
"The most valuable realization is that we are actually contributing to improving lives."
How have you grown as a professional since working at Anima?
My greatest growth has been in increasingly understanding the importance of quality within clinical research. We must constantly strive for safe and accurate drug development. This realization has greatly shaped my professional development at Anima.
I hope to remain involved in clinical research for a long time to come, especially with so many interesting and innovative projects on the horizon. I look forward to doing my part to further improve quality and innovation within the industry.