Paula Saunderson is an experienced Senior Trial Manager with a robust background in overseeing multi-phase clinical studies, including controlled human infection studies, dose escalation trials, and complex interventional research. Her expertise lies in leading multidisciplinary teams to successful trial completions while ensuring quality control, regulatory compliance, and effective project execution across diverse clinical settings in both the UK and low- and middle-income countries.

Currently, Paula serves as a Senior Trial Manager at the Human Challenge Inpatient Facility at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. In this role, she oversees the setup and operational management of a portfolio of controlled human infection and vaccine studies, providing strategic project and team leadership.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to regulatory compliance and quality assurance, ensuring adherence to Good Clinical Practice guidelines.

 

Paula's research interests focus on advancing the design and execution of clinical trials, particularly in complex and challenging settings. Her experience in low- and middle-income countries has fuelled her interest in addressing global health disparities and the ethical considerations necessary for conducting research in these environments.

 

Paula's background working in oncology trials sparked a keen interest in first-in-human studies and experimental phase portfolios. She is also dedicated to investigating best practices for navigating regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance, and minimising the risks associated with complex interventional studies.

Her focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership aims to foster innovation whist maintaining stringent standards for patient safety and data integrity.