Clarissa Noureddine joined Thought Leader Select in 2007, after spending the previous four years as a practicing veterinarian. A graduate of the University of Florida, Clarissa earned a master’s degree in molecular biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from North Carolina State University. In her role as senior research manager, Clarissa provides key insider perspectives on treatment, use of pharmacological agents, and the collaboration of doctors with the pharmaceutical industry to deliver thorough, accurate, and understandable key opinion leader identification and profiling research.
The Thought Leader Select Blog recently sat down to catch up with Clarissa Noureddine and learn about her background and how she makes her professional contribution to the work of Thought Leader Select.
TLS Blog: Good afternoon, Clarissa. Tell us why you joined Thought Leader Select.
Clarissa Noureddine: In 2006, I left veterinary practice to become a stay-at-home mom, as well as to pursue a much-needed change of scenery, professionally–one that would present new challenges on an ongoing basis. I immediately started doing research for Thought Leader Select and joined full-time as a research manager in March of 2007. In a very short period of time, I really came to love what I do—delivering key research on physicians to help drive better quality medications and higher standards of health that affect the well-being of patients. I found that I could use my research training from Carolina and NC State, as well as my experience as a doctor, to achieve better research results that would affect the entire healthcare industry.
TLS Blog: How do your academic background and/or professional career inform your work at Thought Leader Select?
Clarissa Noureddine: The research I conducted as a master’s degree candidate closely parallels the type of research I do now at Thought Leader Select. The methods we use really enable us to drive objective data for better decision-making in the industry. My training sets a high standard for data—the need for volume and accuracy to ensure our clients receive the best information possible. My work as a practicing veterinarian gives me a solid understanding of the diseases we study—I have an obvious understanding of the diseases throughout the animal world, but it really translates quite well on the human front, too. My medical background arms me with a much deeper knowledge of what we study on behalf of pharmaceutical companies every day.
TLS Blog: What do you like most about your work at Thought Leader Select?
Clarissa Noureddine: I love the challenges I face every day at Thought Leader Select. I was looking for more challenges in my career, and I got them here. Throughout my career, I’ve always sought out the biggest challenges; for me, they’re the most fun to solve and have the biggest impact, whether you’re treating an animal for better health or nurturing a research project in an evolving therapeutic area.
I also really love interacting with and training our teams of researchers. My number one desire is to challenge each of them to exceed their expectations for themselves, to attack each project in an effort to constantly deliver better service.
TLS Blog: One more question—how do you spend your free time away from your work at Thought Leader Select?
Clarissa Noureddine: When I’m not working (which is most of the time!), I really enjoy exploring Middle Eastern culture. My husband, Maher (Dr. Maher Noureddine, chief scientific officer at Thought Leader Select), is from Lebanon. Meeting him introduced me to a wonderful new world I had never experience. Maher has opened up a world of great food, language, and culture, and I really enjoy learning as much as I can and sharing what I learn with our children. I’m learning to speak and write in Arabic and how to cook Middle Eastern dishes that Maher grew up enjoying, and I’m even taking belly dancing lessons!
