IDCRC Profile: Noelle Myler, CCRA
Noelle Myler, CCRA, is a clinical research professional with more than 14 years of clinical trials experience within an academic research organization, a global clinical research organization, and a nonprofit human development organization. Noelle currently serves as a director of research within FHI 360’s Science Facilitation Department on the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium and the Sexual Transmitted Infections Clinical Trials Group, STI-CTG contract.
Briefly describe your background in clinical research.
Clinical research is my second career that I transitioned into back in 2009 when I joined Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) as a project lead assistant in the perioperative therapeutic department. I have worked in a variety of roles in clinical research, such as a site start-up specialist handling regulatory documents and site contracts, and as an in-house clinical research associate with site management over multiple studies. I joined FH360 in 2016 and supported several Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinical Trials Group (STI CTG) studies. My first career was in product development where I worked as an electrical engineer supporting and modifying the circuit board design for the front panel of the AS400 midrange computer at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota. After five years of hardware, I transitioned into low-level software testing of complex boards, and later project management. I worked at two medical device start-up companies in North Carolina, experiencing clinical trials from the device perspective.
Briefly describe your new role and what you have been most excited about working with the IDCRC in this new capacity
I was promoted to director of research at FHI360 in late November, succeeding Linda McNeil, MA, PMP, who retired in December 2023. Linda had served in this position since the IDCRC’s inception. My prior positions at FHI360 involved working directly on DMID studies under the STI CTG starting with protocol development through the full study life cycle of close-out and publications. Under the IDCRC, I mentored FH360 staff in these capacities and stepped in to fill protocol specialist gaps as needed.
I am most excited about forming new relationships with the IDCRC units, VTEU staff, and DMID partners while maintaining connections with those I have worked closely with. I wish the DMID 19-0004 MAGI study team success in completing enrollment this year. This was a study I joined from the beginning, hosting the kick-off call in October 2019. The MAGI study provided me with the opportunity to work again with STI CTG sites and for the first time with DoD and HPTN study sites.
What is a strength or example of the importance of the IDCRC during the pandemic and beyond?
A key strength of the IDCRC is the people that participate. They bring together the expertise of each unit –LOC, LOU, COU, and SDSU— to work collaboratively with DMID to move relevant concepts from protocol development through implementation to answer critical scientific questions. It is inspiring to see that the IDCRC members are invested in making a difference in clinical outcomes.
Describe the importance of the VTEUs
When I participate in one of the multi-site studies team calls, it reenforces the expertise each VTEU’s staff brings to help with the study design and operationalization of the trial. The collaborative spirit is energizing. The expertise shared is invaluable, as well as the humor occasionally interjected by team members.