Spotlight on Matt Sieber, Anchor Clinical Solutions
This is my second interview with Anchor Clinical Solutions. Previously, we interviewed Bridget O'Keeffe, President and Co-Founder. Today I'm interviewing Matt Sieber, Co-Founder & VP of Operations. Matt shares information on what led him into the field of clinical research, and his unexpected career as a drug development process expert.
My goal with the interview is to share Anchor's business journey, and some behind-the-scenes insights into the clinical research world according to Anchor Clinical Solutions. Clinical research has taken on a life of its own over the last few decades, and now we are in a time of fantastic technology to evaluate drug development processes and have them work more efficiently. It is interesting to see how Matt first became enthused about clinical research studies, and how his company plans to contribute to health outcomes going forward.
INTRO
What inspired you to pursue a career in clinical research/ops?
MFS: Mentors and line managers provided the inspiration to build a career in clinical trials and clinical operations. This public health career happened completely by accident; I graduated university amid the financial recession of 2008-2009. Jobs were scarce and a small clinical trials CRO in the Philadelphia area was hiring for an administrative position.
As a new graduate living at home with minimal prospects, I jumped at the opportunity in medical research and tried to learn as much as I could about clinical trials in pharmaceutical development.
My line manager at the time took an interest in me and helped map out potential paths based on my skillset and education. Without that support, I never would have known that my organizational and leadership skills could be adapted to managing clinical trial projects and drug development process teams for pharmaceutical companies.
Writer's Comment
84% of Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs, and 100% of Fortune 50 companies (Source)
76% of employees see the importance of mentorship (Source)
Of those with a mentor, 97% say they are valuable (Source)
Yet only 37% of professionals have a mentor (Source)
89% of those who have been mentored will also go on to mentor others (Source)
Can you share a moment when you felt particularly proud of your role in a clinical trial?
MFS: From 2015-2019, I was part of a 1000-member global clinical trial research program with almost 400 sites across 30 countries recruiting participants in various indications, including chronic lower back pain and osteoarthritis. The clinical trial program was meant to bring an innovative, non-addictive, non-opioid treatment to patients in need of pain relief.
It was an absolutely incredible experience, and I felt (and still feel) so proud to have been part of the clinical research program. When we finished and locked the data management database for regulatory review, it felt like I had just wrapped up every final exam I had ever taken in my life! That's how important data management and the data lock is!
What’s the most exciting trend or innovation you’ve seen in clinical trials recently?
MFS: Artificial intelligence! Much of what clinical research operations experts do on a day-to-day basis is manual. As the working world, including pharmaceutical companies, embraces technological advancements, it is thrilling to see that clinical research will benefit from these developments as well. Part of my mission is to understand and build tools that can make clinical research more efficient, cost effective, and improve quality control using technology.
How do you ensure collaboration across teams, especially when managing multiple vendors or sites for clinical trials?
MFS: That is the buzzword of the millennium--communication! In my clinical research career, communication has always been the most effective mitigation for risks or issues with teams, vendors, and sites.
At the end of the day, we are all trying to do our best and the only way to address expectations or issues is to communicate well. I have found that maintaining an open dialogue with team members and vendors always results in a collaborative, supportive, and aligned environment. This creates a true team approach to projects and deliverables and results in a successful, collegial work environment.
What’s one challenge in clinical trials you’d love to see solved in the next five years?
MFS: The automation of study protocols and tools through a comprehensive clinical trial management system. As managers and operations team members, we spend an enormous amount of time re-writing and re-drafting study protocols and other documents. I would like to see this automated to allow for more efficient clinical trial start-up timelines and a renewed focus on driving those elements that are not manual such as building team relationships, identifying areas for improvement in the clinical trial process, and managing the team.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in clinical research?
MFS: Every task, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, rolls up into the bigger picture. I still reference the work that I did as a technical assistant filing documents in my day-to-day job. Everyone plays a role in the successful delivery of a clinical trial and the drug's safety. It’s important to remember that every task serves a greater purpose in the overall clinical drug development process.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
What does a typical workday look like for you, and what’s your favorite part of the day?
MFS: Mornings are the most productive part of my day. I rise early to enjoy my coffee and read or catch up on the news. The first part of my workday is devoted to tasks that require my full attention. I try to avoid scheduling meetings before noon so that I can concentrate on strategic planning and assessment of work for clinical trials.
As a business owner, I spend a lot of time on the phone. When my meetings include touching base with old friends and colleagues, that combination really makes my day. I love connecting and reconnecting with people. People make my job fun, interesting, and exciting.
How do you unwind after a particularly challenging day or project?
MFS: A long dog walk is the best way to unwind. I have a two-year-old Bernedoodle named Sailor. Turning my phone off and focusing on her and nature for an hour is the best way to clear my head.
Matt and his dog, Sailor
Do you have a go-to productivity tip or tool that helps you stay on top of things?
MFS: At the end of each day, I will make a list of items to accomplish the next day. This ensures I can jump right into my tasks without having to re-organize my thoughts each morning.
What’s a skill or quality you think is essential for success in your field?
MFS: Organization. There are so many moving parts in clinical trials and overall drug development processes. Staying organized is critical to building a career in the management of tasks and people in this developing world.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
If you weren’t working in clinical trial operations, what career would you choose?
MFS: Real estate. I obtained my real estate license in Maryland as a hobby. I love working on my home and getting ideas from surrounding properties. In my spare time, I help friends and family looking to buy or sell their home.
What’s a book, podcast, or movie that has inspired you recently?
MFS: “Think Like A Monk” by Jay Shetty is a book that has inspired me recently. With all the responsibilities of life, trying to be more mindful and intentional is something that I am always pursuing. This book helps put those goals into action and has been beneficial.
Writer's comment
Jay Shetty spent time as a monk in India positioning him as an expert on mindfulness and spiritual practices. Shetty focuses on promoting positivity, gratitude, and personal growth, which resonates with many people seeking self-improvement.
Jay Shetty author of “Think LIke a Monk”
What’s your favorite way to celebrate a project milestone or success?
MFS: Travel. Travel is relaxing and rejuvenating. At the end of a project, there is no better way to unwind and recover than exploring the world. Next on the list is Japan!
If you could work on any dream project or trial, what would it involve?
MFS: Nutrition studies are an area of interest. Personally, I would love to help oversee a program that studies the impact of various foods on health risks and overall well-being and health outcomes. Food can also be medicine, and it would be a dream to see if data can be generated to help patients reduce health risks in this developing area.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE
Where do you see medical research heading in the next decade?
MFS: Clinical trials and research will be more automated in the next ten years. Pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies will be able to run more drug development processes, faster and more cost effectively.
I think this will bring so many positive results to patients in clinical trials and will ensure that no promising drug goes undeveloped.
What’s a professional goal you’re excited to work toward?
MFS: My colleagues are what made my career. The goal of Anchor has always been to bring the best and the brightest under our umbrella to provide outstanding support to pharmaceutical companies' clinical trials.
I’m thrilled at the prospect of continuing to bring industry experts to Anchor, ensuring the success of future clinical trials.
What do you hope readers or industry peers learn from your experiences?
MFS: Excellent leaders, clinical trial managers, and operations experts are not all scientists. Some of the best members of operational teams are language majors, historians, or mathematicians. Being a strong clinical trial operational team member means constantly learning about clinical research studies, communicating, and leading people. The work is the same from project to project. The difference is in the people.