Clinical trials are a vital cog in the discovery and development of new medical treatments. Every week at Macquarie University Hospital, patients are taking part in clinical trials for ground-breaking new treatments for cancers, cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.

This week, we meet Clinical Trials Coordinator in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Luke Garcia.

1) In a nutshell, my job is to…
Facilitate and coordinate clinical research by adhering to study protocols for a variety of clinical trials. I support doctors in the management of patient care and liaise between oncologist, patient and study sponsor.

2) The thing I find most rewarding in my role is…
Hearing that a patient is responding well to a new treatment.

3) My mother/father always told me…
To treat others how you would like to be treated.

4) The bravest thing I’ve done is…
Skiing black runs at Heavenly Resort in Lake Tahoe.

5) A place that’s special to me is…
The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens.

6) A moment I’ll always remember is…
Sailing on the Nile while looking at ancient ruins in Egypt.

7) Something I’ve never done but wanted to try is…
Travel alone overseas.

8) I’m scared of…
Spiders.

9) My guilty pleasure is…
Binging TV shows in one sitting. 

10) This year I want to…
Read more books.