Helga Líf Káradóttir, MD | Foundations of Clinical Research
When Helga Líf Káradóttir, MD, was in the midst of her intern year of medical training and started an unexpected new position at an innovative biotech startup, she found herself with a growing interest in clinical research. That curiosity led her to the Foundations of Clinical Research program at Harvard Medical School, where she gained the skills and confidence to transition from preclinical research into the clinical realm.
Expanding Clinical Research Horizons
Originally from northern Iceland, Káradóttir pursued her medical education at the University of Iceland. After graduating in 2021 and halfway through her intern year, she joined Kerecis, an Icelandic startup specializing in medical devices made from fish skin for tissue regeneration. Working at both the Reykjavík and Minneapolis locations, her work in preclinical research for product development sparked a desire to bridge a knowledge gap she felt between preclinical studies and clinical practice.
“I wanted to expand my understanding of clinical research,” she explains. “I had touched upon clinical research in medical school but not to the extent of knowledge that I needed for my aspirations in clinical practice and academic research.”
Gaining Practical Clinical Research Skills
Káradóttir enrolled in the program while working full-time, balancing her professional responsibilities with coursework. Reflecting on her experience, she found the seminars and workshops especially impactful. “The expert-led discussions were so insightful, and the workshops were my favorite part. We got to spend whole weekends deeply engaged in clinical research concepts, working in groups, and applying what we learned.”
The program also enhanced Káradóttir’s confidence in Stata, a statistical software widely used in clinical research. While she had prior experience with RStudio, she found Stata to be more user-friendly. “I feel more fluent in Stata now than in RStudio, which is great because it has practical applications in clinical research,” she notes.
Applying New Knowledge to Future Endeavors
Since completing the program in May 2024, Káradóttir has strengthened her ability to critically analyze research. “Before joining the program, I might have just skimmed an abstract, but now I want to dive into the full article, analyze the figures, and really understand the study design. The program changed my perspective of research when reading about it and how I apply it to my clinical practice.”
Currently preparing for the next step in her career, residency, Káradóttir is increasingly focused on the role of clinical research in her career. With a deeper understanding and a stronger commitment to integrating research into her medical practice, she is carefully evaluating programs based on their research opportunities. “During interviews, one of my key questions is how much clinical research is incorporated. The skills I’ve gained will help me integrate research into my clinical career.”
Written by: Meredith Faxon