Welcome to another installment of our featured member interviews where we will continue to introduce you to more of our members—individuals who work to advance ethical research on a daily basis. Please read on to learn more about their professional experiences, how membership helps connect them to a larger community, and what goes on behind-the-scenes in their lives!

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mathia Sanders, a retired community representative at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. 

When and why did you join the field?
I am retired after having worked in the field of social work for 30 years.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the field is the opportunity it provides for advocacy work. Hopefully I am a strong advocate for research participants and their families in making sure that consent forms are clearly worded, the risks and benefits are clearly stated, and participants are treated fairly. I feel fortunate being asked to serve in such a capacity .

What is your current state of mind?
I am a very positive person.

What is the last movie you saw?
I saw Limitless with my family .

What are you currently reading?
I am reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot.

Which living person do you most admire?
I most admire President Barack Obama and his family.

What is your favorite member benefit?
My favorite member benefit is the opportunity to attend all the PRIM&R conferences. At the last conference I attended, the speakers were enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable, the panel discussions were very good, and the personal testimonies were inspiring.

What motivates you to maintain your commitment to advancing ethical research?
I have very good working relationships with PRIM&R members on the IRB.

What advice do you have for young professionals interested in pursuing a career in ethical research?
I would encourage them to become life-long learners regarding cultural diversity. Historically, African Americans  generally have a mistrust of research, and feel they do not need to participate. I believe more education is needed to encourage their participation. It is vital that young professionals look for ways to involve more African Americans and other diverse groups in research.

Thank you for being part of the membership community and sharing your story, Mathia. Enjoy some quality holiday fun with your family!

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a member, please visit our website today.