Meet our SCs of the Month:

Joe, Mimi & Scholastica

Recognising the faces and stories that drive our mission forward

"We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the ADVANCE-ID Team. It has truly been an honour for us to be given the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated, supportive, and inspiring team. We are deeply grateful for the guidance, trust, and encouragement extended to us throughout this journey, which has greatly contributed to our growth and learning as study coordinators.

Experiences working on RAPID trial
Working on the RAPID trial in Sarawak General Hospital has been both dynamic and rewarding. Our daily routine involves close follow-up and constant coordination with all study teams. Teamwork is essential, and ensuring that processes run smoothly throughout the week requires clear communication, planning, and mutual support. It has been a valuable experience in collaborative clinical research.

Memorable challenges or lessons learned
Unpredictable recruitment made RAPID especially challenging for our team, particularly with the initial four-hour window from GNB reporting to running BioFire. When multiple cases were fl agged at once, limited BioFire module slots meant we had to prioritise samples quickly while still adhering to protocol. Cases triggered near the end of office hours added further pressure, requiring immediate coordination despite time constraints. These demands required shared adaptability and rapid communication. By relying on each other’s strengths and refi ning our workfl ow, we proved that strong teamwork can overcome even the tightest timelines.
We also faced logistical challenges because the BioFire machine had to be placed in the ID ward, as it could not be housed in the Microbiology Department. The distance between CRC, the Microbiology Lab, and the ID ward meant each sample transfer took 15–20 minutes, adding to our workfl ow pressure during time-sensitive cases. Despite this limitation, our team adapted quickly and coordinated closely, eventually earning an Innovation Award for optimizing the process within the constraints of the SOP. This experience reinforced that with teamwork and creativity, even structural barriers can be overcome.

Another challenge we faced was data tracing, as the lack of an integrated system at SGH required many steps to be done manually. Tracking information across multiple platforms demanded careful cross-checking and close team communication. By streamlining our internal workfl ow and supporting one another, we showed that strong teamwork can overcome even the most labour-intensive tasks."

Personal background
Joe
"I began my healthcare journey more than 15 years ago after completing my nursing diploma at Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore. My roles as Staff Nurse, Senior Staff Nurse, and Clinical Instructor strengthened my skills in clinical practice, teaching, and teamwork.

Driven by curiosity about how research informs better clinical decisions, I joined the Clinical Research Centre at Sarawak General Hospital in 2021. Since then, I’ve worked on vaccine trials, cohort studies, the ACORN-HAI trial, and now the RAPID trial.

The RAPID trial’s fast-paced workfl ow—linking wards, laboratories, clinicians, pharmacists, and research staff has strengthened my sense of responsibility and deepened my appreciation for rapid diagnostics and effective coordination. It has taught me to stay adaptable, communicate openly, and embrace continuous improvement in which these lessons I will carry forward into future studies."

Mimi
"With a background in chemistry, I transitioned into clinical research in 2021 at Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital and began working on vaccine trials. Since then, I have been involved in several IIR studies, most recently the ACORN-HAI trial, which became a key milestone by bringing me into the ADVANCE-ID team. These experiences have strengthened my interest in patient outcomes and the meaningful impact of clinical research. Beyond work, I enjoy discovering good food, exploring different cuisines, and spending quality time with my family. My personal belief is simple: do what makes you happy, and success becomes a natural symptom."

Scholastica
"My academic journey started with an interest in Resource Biotechnology, where I enjoyed hands-on lab work. This led me to complete a Master of Science in Environmental Conservation, specializing in Environmental Microbiology. During that time, my research focused on plant extracts tested on bacteria. I also worked on bacterial isolation and identifi cation from environmental samples. In 2024, I stepped into clinical research, and the RAPID trial became my fi rst clinical trial. I got hands-on experience handling blood and respiratory specimens for the BioFire FilmArray System and amazed at how quickly it delivers results compared to conventional methods. These experiences helped me grow professionally, building my confi dence in handling specimens and understanding the workfl ow of a clinical trial. Outside of work, I love being in nature through hiking and running, making bead crafts and exploring new things, including food and places, which keep me energized and inspired."

Message to Fellow Study Coordinators
"To my fellow coordinators across the ADVANCE-ID Network: Your dedication, patience, and attention to detail are the backbone of every successful study. Our work may often be behind the scenes, but every patient we screen and every data point we verify helps drive meaningful, high-quality clinical research. Let’s continue learning from each other, supporting one another, and moving forward together with the shared goal of improving outcomes for patients everywhere."