Katarina Medved

Katarina Medved is a SPHeRE (and HRB-TMRN) scholar based at School of Public Health, University College Cork. She holds first class honours bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science with Drug Development from IT Sligo and Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Trials from University College Cork.

In 2022, Katarina started a Clinical Trial Data Manager role at Cancer Trials Group, University College Cork. In this position, she worked on LYSA and LIAM Mc randomised clinical trials, writing and reviewing study documentation, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of trial data. She also managed the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) panels.

Currently, Katarina is working as an Interactive Response Technology Analyst at Eli Lilly, Cork.

Katarina’s doctoral research is focused on engagement and retention of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) contributors in cancer clinical trials. The research consists of four studies: scoping review of literature to identify key factors, and methods influencing PPI engagement and retention in cancer clinical trial PPI activities, a survey conducted across Ireland and the UK to gather demographic data on PPI contributors and assess disparities in their participation, Qualitative Interviews with PPI contributors to explore their experiences, perspectives, and the dynamics that affect their engagement in cancer clinical trials PPI activities and Focus Group Discussions with PPI contributors and researchers to identify training needs and preferences for improving PPI engagement.

Katarina is supervised by Dr Frances Shiely (Senior Lecturer and Director of Education, HRB Clinical Research Facility, University College Cork), Professor Patricia Kearney (School of Public Health, University College Cork), Dr Laia Raigal (Cancer Research @UCC at University College Cork) and Dr Alice Biggane (Pfizer, UK)