The Biometrics Leadership Lab Podcast

In This Episode

What makes a statistician valuable beyond technicalmethodology?

In this episode, I speak with Jeff Davidson, PhD, a longtimebiostatistician and consultant whose career began in a very different place: special education. Jeff shares how more than 14 years as a teacher shaped the communication, listening, and leadership skills he later brought into clinicalresearch.

After earning his PhD in statistics, Jeff moved into the pharmaceutical industry and built a career spanning biostatistics leadership, with deep experience in regulatory submissions, FDA interactions, DMCs, and clinicaldevelopment strategy.

We discuss why statisticians need to understand themedicine, not just the method, and how strong statistical judgment can help teams ask better questions, design better trials, and make better decisions. Jeff also shares examples from his career, including how experience in one therapeutic area helped him develop a novel analysis approach to solve a trial design challenge in another.

Listen as Jeff reflects on the importance of bringingstatisticians in early, the difference between a technical answer and a useful recommendation, and what it takes to grow from a strong statistician into a broader biometrics leader.

What You’ll Learn

How Jeff transitioned from special education into statisticsand clinical research

Why communication skills can set statisticians apart

How teaching shaped Jeff’s approach to listening,explaining, and leading

What separates a technically correct answer from a usefulstatistical recommendation

How experience across therapeutic areas can strengthenstatistical judgment

Why medical writers should also be brought into the processearlier

How the role of the statistician differs across pharma, CRO,and consulting environments

What skills are needed to grow from statistician tobiometrics leader

Why knowing what you do not know is an important leadership strength

Quote of the Episode

“Your goal is not to be patient enough to let them finish sothat you can speak up. Your goal is to actually listen to what they’re saying and learn from them.”

Resources

Follow Jeff Davidson on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyadavidson/

Visit Alpha Kappa Statistics

Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacross/

Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter onLinkedIn

Guideline for the Format and Content of the Clinical andStatistical Sections of an Application (Clin Stat) https://www.fda.gov/media/71436/download

In This EpisodeWhat does career growth in clinical data management really look like today? It's a journey, not a racetrack.In this episode, I speak with Johan Vermeulen, Data Management Director at Metronomia Clinical Research, about the evolution of clinical data management careers and the leadership perspective that develops as responsibilities expand. Johan shares his unexpected journey into clinical research, how the role of data management has shifted from primarily execution-focused work to a more strategic and collaborative function, and why career growth today looks less like the traditional race up the ladder and far more like a journey.We discuss the increasing importance of cross-functional collaboration, the shift required when moving into leadership roles, and how broader exposure across the clinical trial ecosystem helps professionals develop stronger perspective and influence. Listen as Johan reflects on moving from operational execution to enabling others, balancing people and business needs, and why some of the most valuable growth opportunities are not always the most comfortable ones.________________________________________What You’ll Learn - How Johan transitioned from criminology into clinical research - How the role of clinical data management has evolved over the last decade - Why communication and stakeholder engagement are now critical skills for data managers - What Johan means by “CDM is not a racetrack, it’s a journey” - Why career growth today is often driven by broader exposure rather than strictly vertical progression - What shift is required when moving from execution-focused work into people leadership - Why enabling teams is different from simply solving operational problems yourself - How broader organizational responsibility changes the way leaders think about influence and decision-making - Why some of the most challenging roles often create the strongest long-term growth________________________________________Quote of the Episode“Your success is not something necessarily you deliver, it’s about what the team brings.”________________________________________ResourcesFollow Johan Vermeulen on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/johan-vermeulen-30b587101/Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacross/Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7255662947639652352White Paperhttps://metronomia.net/about-us/whitepapers-and-publications/whitepaper/sustainable-scale-designing-people-centric-operating-models-for-complex-trials.html

In This EpisodeWhat does it take for a small biometrics CRO to move beyond delivering services and become a trusted partner?In this episode, I speak with Vahe Martirosyan, Founder and CEO of Gurus CRO, about his journey from banking into clinical research and how he helped build one of Armenia’s leading biometrics organizations.We discuss what sponsors are really evaluating when selecting a biometrics partner, why transparency and credibility matter more than marketing claims, and how leadership decisions shape long-term trust with clients.Listen as Vahe shares the story behind Gurus CRO’s first client, the discipline required to say no to work that doesn’t fit, and how investing in training through Gurus Academy is helping develop the next generation of biometrics professionals in Armenia.________________________________________What You’ll Learn - How one career path into clinical research started in banking - How Gurus CRO secured its first client by standing behind its work - Why transparency and consistency are critical to building long-term trust - How face-to-face interaction strengthens professional relationships - Why smaller CROs often have nowhere to hide when it comes to delivery - The leadership discipline required to say “no” to work outside your capacity - How Gurus Academy is helping train a large portion of Armenia’s biometrics workforce________________________________________Quote of the Episode“Words can be persuasive, but actions are data.”________________________________________ResourcesFollow Vahe Martirosyan on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/vahmart/Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacross/Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7255662947639652352

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What really changes when you move from the CRO side to the sponsor side and what lessons carry through no matter which side you’re working on?

In this episode, I talk with Mike Inkman, a clinical data leader with more than 20 years of experience across CROs and sponsors, about his career journey and what crossing the CRO - sponsor divide taught him about leadership, oversight, and risk.

We explore how early CRO roles shape flexibility and execution, why sponsor-side oversight feels fundamentally different, and how data management often identifies trends and risks others miss.

Listen as Mike shares candid reflections on leadership growth, transparency, sponsor pressure, and the realities of managing data in complex clinical trials.

What You’ll Learn

• How many careers in clinical research begin by “falling into” the industry

• Why early CRO roles build adaptability and prioritization skills

• What it’s really like managing multiple studies across multiple sponsors

• How CRO teams balance disclosure with solution-building

• What changes when responsibility shifts from delivery to oversight

• How scope limitations shape CRO data management work

• Why data management often sees trends and risks before others

• How leadership evolves from authority to advocacy

• What Mike would tell his younger self about discretion and resilience

Quote of the Episode

“Nobody’s going to be better at overseeing a CRO than someone who has worked at a CRO.”

Resources

Follow Mike Inkman on LinkedIn
Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedIn
Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter on LinkedIn

Please like and subscribe! Thank you for listening!

Episode Summary
In this episode of the Biometrics Leadership Lab podcast, I sit down with Mark O’Brien, Founder and CEO of Warman O’Brien to talk candidly about what it takes to stand out in today’s life sciences job market.

With more than 20 years in recruitment and deep specialization in biometrics placements, Mark shares practical guidance on CV structure, interview strategy, LinkedIn presence, and how hiring has changed in a post-COVID world.

Whether you’re actively job hunting or quietly preparing for your next move, this conversation focuses on what matters now in your job search.What You’ll Learn

• What three must-have sections every life sciences CV needs

• Why accomplishments matter more than job descriptions

• What recruiters really mean when they say “formattingmatters”

• How to handle employment gaps with confidence

• When a one-page CV works and when it doesn’t

• What red flags hiring managers notice immediately

• How to ask about work-life balance without asking about work-life balance

• When the LinkedIn “Open to Work” banner helps and when it doesn’t

Quote of the Episode:

“If it’s not written on your CV, it didn’t happen.”

Resources/Show Notes

• Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedIn
• Follow Warman O’Brien on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter for more professional development insights, tips, and strategies
• Warman O’Brien website
• Warman O’Brien salary survey

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe and hit the like button!

In This Episode
In this episode of the Biometrics Leadership Lab podcast, I talk with biostatistician and clinical research leader Marla Husnik, PhD about her 20+ year journey across public health, academic CROs, and global pharma.  

Marla shares how she built high-performing biometric teams, why communication matters more than technical brilliance, and what new managers often overlook when stepping into leadership roles.

We explore the realities of managing people instead of projects, navigating team conflict before it takes root, andcreating connection across cultures and time zones.

What You’ll Learn

• What really changes when you move from individual contributor to manager
• What matters more than technical skills when building a team
• How to spot early signs that a team is struggling
• How to support individuals while also aligning to organizational goals
• Why celebrating wins, large and small, keeps teams resilient and motivated
• How remote and global leaders can build genuine camaraderie

Quote of the Episode
“To be really effective, you have to be in the mindset of being more of a giver than an achiever.”

 Tune In If You Are:

• A new manager learning how to balance technical depth with people leadership
• A statistician, programmer, or biometrics professional curious about team dynamics
• A director or VP navigating team performance and cross-functional collaboration
• Anyone interested in leadership that blends compassion with accountability

Resources/Show Notes:

Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedIn

Follow Marla Husnik on LinkedIn

Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter for more professional development insights, tips, and strategies

In This Episode

Ready to be a biometrics leader?

Financial literacy matters more than you might realize.

In this episode, I talk with Joel White, Founder of Marketcap Consulting, about the pricing, proposal strategy, and the financial reality behind biometrics work in CROs.

We explore how pricing models, billing structures, andrevenue recognition actually work inside CROs and what leaders need to understand if they want to confidently participate in financial conversations.

Listen as Joel shares insights from his two decades ofexperience in clinical research finance and demystifies the financial side of proposals, revenue recognition and sponsor billing.

Listen and Learn

• How biometrics services are priced and why “hours times rates” still dominates
• The difference between pricing, billing, and revenuerecognition and why confusing them creates problems
• How vendor and pass-through costs really work insidecontracts
• When milestone-based billing makes sense (and when it does not)
• How resource location affects project profitability
• What FSP models actually are and why the term is oftenmisused
• Why Biometrics FSPs are more prevalent than other FSPs

Quote of the Episode

“The way you price something is not necessarily the way it’sinvoiced to the customer. And the way you invoice something is not necessarily how you recognize revenue.”

Resources / Show Notes

Joel White and MarketCap Consulting https://www.marketcapconsulting.com/
Follow Joel White on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelwhite01/
Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacross/
Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter on LinkedIn
Sir Dennis Gillings Video https://youtu.be/nrKBWX8GAAs?si=j9DYZzgUtYL7cF4n
Financial Intelligence book mentioned in the episode (non-affiliate link) https://a.co/d/etdIkB1

In This Episode
In this episode, I talk with Charlene Dark, Chief Operating Officer at Avania, about her career journey from statistician to executive leader.

We explore how curiosity, courage, and a people-first mindset shaped her path and how she continues to lead with authenticity and accountability.

Charlene shares stories from her early days in clinical research, lessons from the mentors who influenced her most, and the leadership principles that have guided her through decades of change in the biometrics industry.

Listen and Learn

• Why “people first” is more than a management philosophy: it’s a strategy for success
• How to build trust, accountability, and empowerment across teams and functions
• The hardest transition in leadership (and why most new managers struggle with it)
• Why not every high performer should become a manager and what to do instead
• How curiosity and active listening drive innovation and connection
• The importance of aligning personal values with professional purpose
• How to keep your critical-thinking skills sharp in an AI-driven world

Quote of the Episode

“If you get the right people in the right seats doing the job they love, that’s your biggest battle. The rest will follow.” — Charlene Dark

Resources / Show Notes

• Mindset Reimagined by Charlene Dark — Available on Amazon
• Follow Charlene Dark on LinkedIn
• Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedIn
• Learn more at www.crossfieldcc.com
• Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter on LinkedIn⁠ for more professional development insights, tips, and strategies

In This Episode:
Ever felt like the biometrics discussion gets lost in the shuffle of a full-service bid defense? At the end of an hours long meeting, data management, biostatistics, and medical writing frequently find themselves with just 5 minutes.

Here’s how to make the most of your 5 five minutes so you can stand out and make a meaningful impact.

Regardless of your role or your bid defense experience, you’lllearn with practical strategies to ensure you’re clear, concise, and compelling when it matters most.

Listen and learn:

• What the bid defense is really for (it's not just about the slides)
• Why 5 minutes is all you need
• The #1 mistake biometrics professionals make in a bid defense
• How to show your value without jargon or long explanations
• Why paying attention matters even when you are not presenting

Quote of the episode:

“You know you only have five minutes. Plan for it.”

Resources/Show Notes

•  ⁠⁠Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedIn

In This Episode:

I sit down with clinical research executive Kathy Bradrick to explore her journey through the CRO world: from her early days in business operations at a startup to becoming CEO of her own company.

Throughout the conversation, Kathy shares how business sense, asking good questions, and a strong work ethic helped her grow her career, and why small companies remain close to her heart.

You’ll hear reflections on founding companies, navigating mistakes, learning through doing, and how people-centered leadership fuels sustainable growth. Plus, enjoy a bit of reminiscing as Kathy and I reflect on fun and formative moments from our intersecting careers over the past 25+ years.

Listen and learn:

• What to do when you make a million-dollar mistake

• Why it’s important to understand the business beyond your role

• What small companies offer that large companies do not

• How you are networking every day—even if you think you’re not

• • What being “patient-first” means in real clinical research settings

  
  

Quote of the episode:

“Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about curiosity, courage, and the willingness to keep learning.”

Resources/Show Notes:

• • ⁠Follow Amanda Cross on LinkedIn⁠
  • Crossfield Coaching and Consulting
  • Follow Kathy Bradrick on LinkedIn
  • Spark Clinical Research

• Subscribe to the Biometrics Leadership Lab newsletter on LinkedIn for more professional development insights, tips, and strategies