Now in its 7th year, the Christine Pierre Clinical Trials Lifetime Achievement Award, in association with mdgroup, celebrates the ground-breaking work and contributions of individuals across the field of clinical trials who are making a positive difference. The shortlist for the 2021 prize has been announced and we are taking a closer look at each of the nominees - see all the profiles here. Here we focus on Tina Barton, COO, eMQT. Cast your vote for this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner here.
Why she was nominated
"This nomination is for my friend and colleague Dr Tina Barton who I have had the honour and privilege of working with over the last twenty years. I strongly believe that not only has this amazing woman achieved great things in her career (e.g., worked on blockbusters such as Mabthera, Avastin, Herceptin, Tarceva, Dioralyte, Omeprazole, Zantac, and Lipitor to name a few), her significant contributions are unsung which is the case sometimes when you work in Contract Research Organisations.
Dr. Tina Barton is currently, Chief Operating Officer at Emerging Markets Quality Trials (eMQT), has been a drug development specialist with over 40 years experience specializing in oncology, working in partnership to lead for success as a customer-focused senior leader.
Tina holds a BSc, PhD, and MBA alongside over 50 academic publications and is an Honorary Fellow, and Board Member of the Institute of Clinical Research. She was also, previously, Chair of the Institute of Clinical Research for seven years.
Dr. Barton provides strategic business acumen, change management and process enhancement expertise with a proven track record in driving growth, managing teams and training for the future - from large global organizations to small start-up enterprises. With a passion for transformation,
Although the patients of African descent make up 17% of the world's population (over 1 billion), Black People are underrepresented in clinical trials globally reported as less than 3% by the Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Dr. Barton embraced Central Eastern European countries and as COO at eMQT is now focused on the inclusion of Sub-Saharan Africa into clinical development, bringing the miracle of the development of new medicines to emerging markets and new patients. Diversity improves outcomes for all, and Tina has brought her wealth of experience into breaking barriers and fostering innovation through bringing research excellence and training into Africa.
As mentioned previously, Dr Barton has had a long and varied career in clinical research for almost 40 years, having run large and small teams in the UK National Health Service (NHS), pharmaceutical companies and Clinical Research Organisations - some small, some start-up companies and several global corporate entities.
As if the impact she creates in the pharmaceutical industry is not enough, this incredible woman is a Non-Executive Director and/or Trustee on four Boards and is a Chair for one of them.
Tina is responsible for leading eMQT efforts to develop and build clinical research centres of excellence in Sub-Saharan Africa to support the increased use of this region for global clinical research activities. She is a Cherie Blair Foundation mentor and has mentored African women, supporting them in their growth and development, doing this with a high level of cultural awareness and strength.
A fearless and nature-loving person who in the last year has travelled across Africa making us proud of what we do and bringing the miracle of research and knowledge to a group of people who are hungry for knowledge and recognition.
Her focus on training and developing women and now African women in the area of drug development and clinical research is unparalleled.
In this day and age where diversity and inclusion, empowerment and leadership are sometimes buzz words, it is an honour to nominate this amazing woman who never seeks recognition nor fame but just wants to get on with it and do the right thing, touching and changing lives."
How the voting works
Voting is now open until 13 October 2020, 12pm GMT. We will impartially encourage our online community to vote; each finalist is also encouraged to reach out to their colleagues and contacts. Anyone in the online clinical trials community can vote, but only once each. The prize will be presented at the Clinical Trials Europe virtual event on 3 November. Cast your vote for this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner here.