Worldwide Creates New Fellowship Program

Morrisville, NC – Two scientists have joined the new Michael F. Murphy Clinical Research Methodology Fellowship Program at Worldwide Clinical Trials, demonstrating the company’s commitment to not only delivering unmatched scientific expertise to its current clients, but also its dedication to preparing scientists who will support the increasingly complex clinical trials of tomorrow.

More than 80 candidates applied for the sought-after fellowship roles, which offer hands-on clinical research experience working alongside some of the top medical and scientific experts in the industry. Selected as the first Fellows in Worldwide’s program are William Slone, Ph.D., a cancer cell biologist, and deMauri Mackie, Ph.D., who has more than 12 years of experience in immunology and cancer research. They will be guided throughout their fellowship program by the program’s namesake, Michael Murphy, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical & Scientific Officer at Worldwide.

“In naming this program after Dr. Murphy, who helps to shape how we approach clinical research across the company, we are recognizing both his generosity of knowledge and his passion for this business,” said Neal Cutler, M.D., Chief Executive Officer at Worldwide. “In twenty-five years of working alongside Dr. Murphy, I can personally attest to his influence and impact on drug development. I have no doubt that he will be able to guide these Fellows toward a very impressive future in both clinical research and drug development.”  

“The depth and breadth of the expertise among our entire medical and scientific staff at Worldwide never ceases to amaze me, and we developed the Michael F. Murphy Clinical Research Methodology Fellowship Program to ensure that this knowledge continues in our organization and the industry,” said Peter Benton, President and Chief Operating Officer at Worldwide. “We are committed to investing in the growth of our people and to advancing clinical research for years to come. Bringing talent like we have in deMauri Mackie and William Slone will help us do just that.”  

In addition to working under Dr. Murphy’s guidance, Fellows will complete a wide range of assignments supporting the activities of other departments as part of a didactic and experiential training program. Working with experts across Worldwide’s business functions, each will have access to clinical trial initiatives across all phases of development in support of the company’s key therapeutic areas of focus. These include central and peripheral nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMID), and rare diseases, for novel small molecules, biological projects and devices. Comparable in structure to many advanced training programs, the Michael F. Murphy Fellowship Program includes rotating assignments under the guidance of various functional areas, including clinical operations, project management, regulatory affairs, biostatistics, business development and marketing, among others.

“Our vision for this fellowship program is to extend the capabilities of our current staff, while supporting the growth and development of two promising scientists,” explained Dr. Murphy. “Our Fellows will have unfettered access to Worldwide’s expertise and experience, while pursuing an understanding of every phase of research from translational medicine to post-approval activities –  in essence, developing an appreciation of the methods by which drug discovery informs clinical development, clinical development informs commercialization, and how the contributions of a wide range of functional and support groups within a clinical research organization support the process. Envisioned as a career development pathway, our Fellows will be able to determine their career focus, and Worldwide will gain well-rounded experts in applied clinical research to support our sponsor’s research programs. I am privileged to serve as a mentor within this program, and honored by the name attribution and acknowledgment provided by Worldwide.”

Slone completed his Ph.D. studies in cancer cell biology in 2016 and his Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory science in 2011, both at West Virginia University (Morgantown, W.Va.). Mackie finished her Ph.D. in cellular and molecular medicine at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Md.) in 2016 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in biochemistry at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pa.) in 2006.  

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About Worldwide Clinical Trials
Worldwide Clinical Trials employs more than 1,400 professionals around the world, with offices in North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Russia and Asia. One of the world’s leading, full-service contract research organizations (CROs), we partner with sponsors in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to deliver fully integrated clinical development and bioanalytical services, extending from first-in-human through phase IV studies. Grounded in medicine and science, we help sponsors move from discovery into clinical development and commercialization across a range of therapeutic areas, including neuroscience, cardiovascular diseases, immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMID), and rare diseases. For more information, visit Worldwide.com.