Tega Ayerume

Profile

I am a PhD researcher in Clinical Trial Methodology at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), based within the Wolfson Institute of Population Health at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. My research, titled “Pilot and Feasibility Studies for Online Clinical Trials,” focuses on improving how feasibility is assessed in fully online clinical trials. I am particularly interested in the methodological, operational and practical challenges associated with conducting trials remotely, including participant recruitment, engagement, retention, intervention delivery and outcome collection. My research aims to develop a framework to support the design and feasibility assessment of fully online clinical trials.

I hold an MSc in Clinical Trials (Distinction) from University College London (UCL), where my dissertation, “Smarter Processes for Enhanced Clinical Trial Efficiency (SPECTRE),” explored opportunities to improve clinical trial site set-up processes using Lean Six Sigma methodologies. I also hold a BSc (Hons) in Clinical Pharmacology from St George’s Hospital Medical School (SGUL).

Prior to commencing my PhD, I gained experience across NHS and pharmaceutical industry research settings, predominantly in oncology. My previous roles include Cancer Clinical Trial Set-Up Specialist, Clinical Trial Associate /Data Manager, and Clinical Research Associate/Clinical Trial Coordinator industrial year at MSD. These roles provided experience in trial feasibility, regulatory approvals, study set-up, clinical operations and data management.

Alongside my research, I am actively involved in teaching, mentoring and widening participation initiatives, including The Brilliant Club’s Scholars Programme. I also engage with the wider clinical trials research community through academic conferences, presentations and methodological research networks.

Research

Research Interests:

My research interests centre on improving the design, efficiency, accessibility and quality of clinical trials. I am particularly interested in innovative trial methodologies, the integration of digital technologies into clinical research, and approaches that reduce participant burden and promote equitable participation. I am also interested in optimising clinical trial processes, addressing barriers to trial participation, and developing evidence-based strategies to improve trial conduct and delivery while maintaining methodological rigour and participant safety.