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 Sherry Baierl, human research protections manager for Memorial Health Care System.

When and why did you join the field?
I have been interested in research since my high school days. During college, I was interested in behavioral research and choose to major in psychology. I have also witnessed first-hand how advances in research have impacted the medical field and patient care. Without research we would not have the knowledge we have today. We should always question if there is another way, or, more importantly, a better and safer way to do what we do. We need to make strides in achieving this.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is the knowledge that what I do everyday influences patient care for the better. We have found through research which drugs and devices have the ability to prolong life or give someone a better quality of life.

What is your current state of mind?
Contentment.

What is the last movie you saw?
Fast and Furious 5.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being with family and friends.

What are you reading?
When God Whispers Your Name, by Max Lucado.

What’s your after-hours guilty pleasure?
Watching movies with my family.

Why did you join PRIM&R?
To stay abreast of the latest research information out there, and to network with others who work in the research field. Networking provides you with access to researchers who can assist you in any changes that you might implement at your research site. I also joined in order to increase my knowledge of best practices and gain access to the resources that are available to me as a member. I love going to the conferences to hear updates, stay current on the latest research news, and gather any tools that will assist all of us along the way.

What is your favorite member benefit?
Staying informed of all the latest changes and, of course, increasing my knowledge in an ever-expanding field.

What would you say to someone who is considering PRIM&R membership?
I would say they need to join to stay abreast of the latest research information, connect with peers in the field of research, and to attend the conferences, which are so valuable. You never walk away without new knowledge.

What motivates you to maintain your commitment to advancing ethical research? The knowledge that we are doing our best to keep research participants safe, and that research is making an impact on people and their quality of life. We do this by implementing rigorous requirements to safeguard the population and by making sure that what we do is ethical. I feel that all research should be sent through a research review board in order to ensure all of the ethical and required elements of the study are accounted for.

Thank you for being part of the membership community and sharing your story, Sherry. Let us know what you think of When God Whispers Your Name!

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