"10 Questions with..." Gets To Know a Colleague in Clinical Research
Welcome to another issue of "10 Questions with...," where we will learn more about our colleagues who make DUSON the destination for outstanding talent.
Let's get to know Camilla Sanders, Clinical Research Coordinator, who has been with DUSON for two years (and at Duke for seven).
Q: What's the best advice you've ever received?
A: Don't be afraid to try things. We have this one life - don't leave it with a list of "What Ifs."
Q: What inspires you working at Duke?
A: Since coming to work at DUSON, the camaraderie, mentorship, and teamwork inspires me. The cohesiveness among colleagues is exceptional, and is doubtlessly self-perpetuating.
Q: What past work experience did you have that helped prepare you for DUSON?
A: I went to graduate school for developmental psychology. From undergrad on up, I trained in research methods and in the rigor of research. Prior to returning to school in the 2010s, my first stint in college in the 1980s was for journalism, which is helpful in communicating, writing, and editing.
Q:What three words would you use to describe DUSON?
A: Cohesive, Warm, Exceptional
Q: How do you balance career and outside life?
A: I bring colorful, whimsical, fun elements of my personal life to my office space so that it is automatically a comfortable, happy space, and I play music in my office. Even on the days I work long hours, these little details make a big difference. When I leave work, I listen to podcasts on the commute (I live in Greensboro). My kids are now old enough to drive, and being off chauffeur duty is a re-found freedom for me! I love making soap, bath bombs, bath truffles, and wax melts. I also love watching shows like Maine Cabin Masters and Bargain Mansions.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1980s. It was my work study assignment so it involved a lot of filing.
Q: What music is on your playlist?
A: I listen to EVERYTHING. My favorite Pandora stations are Desi Chill, French Cooking, Frank Sinatra & Duke Ellington, Fiji, Dinner Jazz, Americana, and Latin Jazz. I'm not crazy about opera, but I keep trying.
Q: What would you do (for a career) if you weren't doing this?
A: I've had so many different, unrelated jobs so far, all things I was interested in, that I don't know what else I would like to try. If I could choose anything (even the unrealistic things) I'd be a novelist.
Q: If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
A: I would choose to have dinner with my grandmother. She passed away in 2008, and since then I realized that I had so many questions that I would love for her to answer. I would like to know her as a person, not just as my grandmother. And I miss her.
Q: What is something that most people don't know about you?
A: My dad attended Duke Divinity School in the late 1970s (the days of Jim Spanarkel) and ever since then I 1) was a loyal Blue Devil, and 2) wanted to be affiliated with Duke.
Thanks for sharing more about yourself, Camilla!
Who's next?
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