The role of the research scientist navigator is somewhat unique to Manne Research Institute. The navigators are proactive, engaging with and actively listening to researchers across the institute to ensure they are supported, and part of the communication process that connects researchers to administrators and leadership. Lucia, Samantha, and Melissa truly understand the needs of our researchers because they are scientists with real-world experience who have faced similar challenges and have learned the best ways to solve them. Also of note is that, while the navigators share broad intra- and extra-institutional knowledge, each navigator has some specialization—Lucia to Basic and Preclinical Science, Samantha to Clinical and Community Trials, and Melissa to Community, Population Health, and Outcomes—to best leverage their specific research experience. Lucia draws on her 14 years of cutting-edge bench research experience to support basic science investigators and their laboratories. Having managed clinical trials in the past, Samantha uses her in-depth knowledge of the processes and protocols investigators must follow in setting up and running clinical trials to foster connections between investigators and our experts in research administration and at Northwestern University. Melissa lends her methodological expertise as a medical sociologist to investigators who are early in the development of their population health projects, helping them to better understand their options and guiding them to resources. In addition to providing one-on-one assistance to investigators across their research journeys, the navigators also collect comprehensive data related to our collective research activities to generate insights into emerging trends, informing the development of programs and resources to assist investigators.   

The navigation team has proven to be an invaluable resource to investigators, particularly those who are new to the research institute. For example, Alexander Kula, MD, learned about the research navigation team during his interview process and based his decision to start his career as a physician-researcher at Lurie Children’s in part because we offer this investigator support. Soon after Alexander started, Melissa reached out to him and supported him in orienting to a new institution and starting a research program investigating chronic kidney disease in children. After just a few meetings, Melissa had a thorough understanding of his goals, and pulled together the people and resources that ultimately helped him establish his research and support his K23 application.

Alexander’s experience is emblematic of the navigators as key partners in the research journey, and he encourages his peers to connect with them and take advantage of their services: “I’ve come to appreciate that a great research project is five percent having a good idea, and ninety-five percent figuring out how to actually get it done, and the navigators know the people and resources available through Manne Research Institute to help you complete your research.” Lucia, Samantha, and Melissa are currently meeting one-on-one with investigators and hosting “roadshows” for research teams. If they have not met with you yet, rest assured that they will soon. In the meantime, if you would like to introduce yourself and learn more about collaborating with them, please visit the research navigation page on the Manne Research Institute website or contact them by completing a research navigation request form. 

With kindness and respect,

Pat