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 Hallie Kassan, institutional review board (IRB) manager at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, New York.

When and why did you join the field?
I began working for an IRB in April 2003. Before that, I had been working in regulatory affairs for a biotechnology company. When looking for a new job, I thought it would be interesting to continue doing regulatory work, but from the other side of the industry.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I feel like I am making a difference and helping protect people. I also enjoy working with investigators to solve problems and develop protocols that are ethical and that protect human subjects.

What’s playing on your iPod?
My five year old son’s top 40 music.

What is the last movie you saw?
Inception.

What’s for dinner tonight?
Steak.

What are you reading?
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

What’s your after-hours guilty pleasure?
Watching Gossip Girl.

What are three websites you visit on a daily basis?
Facebook, the Weather Channel, and CNN.

Why did you join PRIM&R?
I joined in order to learn more about the profession of human subjects protections from others in the field.

What is your favorite member benefit?
My favorite benefits are the webinars and monthly Newsletters.

What would you say to someone who is considering PRIM&R membership?
PRIM&R is a great resource for networking and learning more about the field of human subjects protections.

What do you believe is a key challenge facing the field of research ethics?
The field is always rapidly changing—there is always new technology, new research methodologies, new ways to recruit—and, the regulations are not always a direct “fit” with the current research environment. Finding ways to assist investigators in developing their research studies, while being ethical and complying with regulations, is a constant challenge.

Thank you for being part of the membership community and sharing your story, Hallie. We hope you had a chance to see Rebecca Skloot speak at our 2010 AER Conference in December!

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