Julie Lockman

How would you define Clinical and Translational Sciences?

I would define clinical and translational sciences as conducting research in order to collect more information about topics that will have a significant impact on a particular patient population.

Can you tell us about your current projects?

One of my current projects is helping to lead a clinical research introductory program for first year medical students alongside Dr. Fred Minnear. The program involves placing new students into proper research labs. About once a week, we meet with the students to conduct both information and education sessions.

Another one of my ongoing projects is facilitating the Research Boot Camp series. We wrapped up our quality improvement segments and are beginning a new topic in August based on scientific communication. We also have additional projects spurring off these Boot Camp sessions such as setting up a quality improvement review committee – an advisory committee consisting of members from Ruby Memorial Hospital and the Health Science Center. It will be multidisciplinary to help facilitate quality improvement projects, as well as help track them. We are also setting up a short course to help train research coordinators to provide a more uniform type of training, and reach those who are not a part of the central core.

What is the goal for your work at WVCTSI?

As the educational manager, my goal is to reach out to as many people as I can, especially those who are in the very early stages of their career. I communicate with students and residents in order to establish a mentoring process. By doing this, I guide them to learn how to balance research with clinical duties or their education early on. It’s quite difficult to juggle all of the responsibilities given to them during the midst of their career, so mentoring and engaging them is something I focus on to help nurture that developmental growth.

What made you interested in working in the field of clinical and translational sciences?

I am a basic researcher by training. My research background is in neuropharmacology. I made the move from Texas to here, and I saw this as a good opportunity to develop new skills. I went from being a very independent researcher designing my own courses to this new position with more of a team approach to help build something new. I find the new perspective to be very exciting.

What motivates you to come to work every day?

I truly enjoy what I do. I meet so many different people each day, and no two days are the same. The people I work with are brilliant. The thought of making a difference and seeing a true shift in culture in the area of clinical and translational research -- that's the ultimate motivation.

What is your vision for the future and success of WVCTSI?

My ultimate vision for WVCTSI is to reach the entire state population and bring in as many clinical scientists as we can, so that it becomes second nature within our community and we can begin to see the effects of our research positively impacting the patients in West Virginia.

You've recently moved to Morgantown from Texas, so what has stuck out to you about the state of West Virginia?

There are trees, water and hardly any wind or dust! Every day, whether we are driving over Cheat Lake or the Monongahela River, I look out the window in awe at these large and beautiful bodies of water. Where I am from, it is flat, dry, windy and dusty. I think it's a truly beautiful area, and I am excited to watch the upcoming change of seasons.

What would you say are your strengths?

Some of my strengths are positivity, optimism and harmony. I think that I am a person who understands what people need and will try my best to make it happen. I do everything I can to motivate and bring people together.

What do you do with you free time?

I am on Pinterest a lot during my free time! I must have over 500 pins already. My husband and I have a habit of marathon TV watching. We have five kids, so we spend a lot of time with them to help manage the household. We also love to travel.

What is an interesting fact about you?

 I'm a homegrown Texan from a small town. I grew up on a farm and went to a school that had a graduating class of 28 students – it was the second largest class in school history!

What TV shows do you watch?

My husband and I frequently watch "Six Feet Under,” "Modern Family,” and "The Middle.” "The Middle" reminds us of the quirks within our own family, so we usually get a laugh out of watching that. 

What is one of your favorite quotes?

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity," a quote by Albert Einstein.