Colleague Profile: Liz Merrifield
Meet Liz Merrifield, Information Governance Lead at Wales Gene Park. Since 2022, Liz has been applying her specialist expertise in research and information governance to better understand the needs of the genomics and cancer research community. When she’s not busy facilitating life changing projects, Liz can be found cycling, come rain or shine or skateboarding with her children.
We chatted to Liz to find out more about her role and the advice she has for anyone wanting to pursue a similar career…
What attracted you to the role of Information Governance Lead initially?
We are in an exciting era for data-led research and there are so many opportunities for technology to be used for patient benefit. In view of this, this project was both interesting and challenging in equal quantities, having the potential for wide-ranging impact across research groups and diseases.
When I came into this role, we undertook a series of activities, in a community-led project, looking to understand the cancer researchers’ aspirations with regards to multimodal research, and what services are currently available to realise these goals. My role was to use my expertise in research and information governance to achieve this along with other members of the team.
What did your education and professional experience look like up until the point you began your role with Wales Gene Park?
Having studied Anatomical Sciences at University, I undertook post-graduate research in a connective tissue biology lab creating monoclonal antibodies. I started working in clinical trials, firstly as a Pharmacovigilance Officer monitoring patient’s toxicities within phase II clinical trials, and then as Quality Assurance within the Centre for Trials Research (CTR) in Cardiff University. I worked in this role for just over a decade, providing advice across a wide range of trials including behaviour change, primary care, paediatrics and early phase clinical trials. During this period, I developed a particular interest in data acquisition and analysis from a compliance and quality perspective.
For me, it’s not just the individual research questions which are interesting; it is providing the environment whereby researchers can do exciting analyses, combining data from different sources, and create reliable, robust results that can have positive impact on treatment pathways for patients. It’s great to learn from the successes (and tribulations) of others and conduct transparent, compliant and ethically sound research.
What’s your favourite thing about your role?
Since joining the team, my role has been unique, it hasn’t just focussed on one specific area but multiple projects, grounded in addressing the needs of the research community.
Together with my colleagues, we have been able to unpick and understand many of the reasons why data-led research is difficult to get off the ground, particularly within cancer and genomic research. We have worked with an extensive range of stakeholders from early career researchers, senior academics, policy makers, ethics committees, and also members of the Senedd; worked on both a local and national initiatives and strategies, providing the community-level input with the aim to unlock current barriers.
Is there anything specific that you’re hoping to achieve while you’re in this role?
Our team has a number of projects which we are excited to delivering on. These include the Wales Cancer Biobank Digital project, and the All Wales Genomics Databank, plus work to evolve current governance activities within Cardiff University to facilitate researchers whilst they navigate this often tricky path.
Is there a piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to pursue a similar career to yours?
Read, enjoy learning about the bit that other people don’t necessarily want to learn about, and see as an obstacle. Be honest and approachable as there are far fewer people working in governance and compliance than there are doing the science and therefore these people will need your valuable input and expertise. Working in research can be challenging, so know your stuff. Be brave and willing to say no to something which is not possible (whilst explaining the reason(s) why!), but show that you are willing to work with your colleagues to reach a compliant way forward. And finally, for the times you don’t have the answer to hand, keep a little black book of contacts for that perfect person who may well have the vital bit of information or insight you need.
What are your favourite things to do outside of work?
I love being on the bike, in rain or mud, or sun. I’m also possibly too old to be into skateboarding with my kids, but for as long as they want to do massive miles on the boards and eat ice cream afterwards, I’ll be doing it with them – and then when they don’t anymore maybe I will have to reluctantly reconsider what to do with my time!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to say thank you, as it’s been a great couple of years working with the project team, Wales Gene Park colleagues and within Genomics Partnership Wales. It’s been fantastic to be part of this community and to be valued for what I can bring to the team and I’m looking forward to the next couple of years to see what we can accomplish.