Driving innovation in clinical research: a look inside Worldwide’s large molecule lab
In this interview, we explore Worldwide Clinical Trials’ (NC, USA) new large molecule laboratory with Scientific Associate Connor Kenney. Connor highlights the lab’s automation capabilities as well as the team’s solutions to their most common technical challenges.
Interview questions:
- Please introduce yourself and describe your role at Worldwide. What were the biggest learning curves for you moving into this industry and how did Worldwide support your transition?
- With the increasing shift from small to large molecules, how has Worldwide’s new large molecule lab strengthened its ability to support large molecule studies across different phases of drug development?
- Automation now plays a huge part in laboratory processes. Can you share with us how Worldwide has expanded its automation capabilities and what improvements this has brought to efficiency and data quality?
- How has the Hamilton VENUS software enhanced assay workflows and what role do you play in optimizing and troubleshooting this system?
- What are some of the most common technical challenges in automating laboratory processes and how do you and your team approach solving them?
Connor Kenney
Scientific Associate, large molecule automation bioanalysis
Worldwide Clinical Trials
Raised in Lincoln, NE, Connor Kenney attended the University of Nebraska (NE, USA), where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in both chemistry and biochemistry. Upon graduation in the spring of 2021, Connor moved down to Austin, TX, to explore his career in the regulated scientific community, starting in a microbiology lab responsible for testing sanitizer/disinfectant products for end-point assessment submissions. After 1 year, Connor transitioned into the early-phase clinical research industry, accepting a job with Worldwide Clinical Trials while working towards his master’s in medical science. Since joining Worldwide in 2022, Connor has been instrumental in the startup of the state-of-the-art large molecule department and also in the implementation of laboratory automation. He has developed several ligand binding assays for PK and ADA projects and streamlined these procedures using Worldwide’s Total Laboratory Automation System.
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