Research has always appealed to me. At five years of age, I answered my very first research question in a landmark study looking at whether washing towels in the toilet bowl and putting them away wet would be better than using the washer/dryer. (It wasn’t - at least, my mother didn’t think so.) The research I now do at the UW ACTU is a little more refined, but I’m still fascinated by the ability to ask an important question and get the answer through a controlled research study.

As befits the role of Research Coordinator, I coordinate the implementation and conduct of research studies at the UW ACTU. Since we typically have at least 30 studies opening or ongoing, this involves a fair amount of study-juggling. I am a Registered Nurse by profession, and in a previous life received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. After receiving my nursing degree at the University of Washington, I took up oncology nursing before joining the UW ACTU. I’ve worked here since 1989 (which means I now rate an office with a window and a view).

The research questions we ask at the UW ACTU are obviously more important than washing towels in a toilet bowl; the answers have the potential of greatly affecting the treatment of HIV, as well as the quality of life of people with HIV. I am continually grateful to the special people who contribute their time and energy to take part in a study. The staff here at the ACTU is a fine bunch of people, and on most days they are a joy to work with. I’m proud of the research we do - and feel fortunate to be part of it.