Kay L. Shuttleworth, Ph.D., IRB Administrator for the DCOC (Data Coordinating and Operations Center) of the IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trial Network (ISPCTN)
How long have you worked at UAMS?
I have worked at UAMS and been in my current position for almost 2 years.
Can you describe the ISPCTN?
The ISPCTN is a network that includes 17 institutions across the country. It is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The network helps make pediatric clinical trials accessible to populations that typically do not have access to such trials. It also provides professional development in clinical trials. The DCOC is housed at UAMS. The UAMS IRB serves as the central IRB for the network. Working with all the ISPCTN sites, I make the IRB submissions on behalf of the sites to the UAMS IRB.
What is the goal of the ISPCTN?
https://www.nih.gov/echo/clinical-sites-idea-states-pediatric-clinical-trials-network
“The goal of the ISPCTN is to provide medically underserved and rural populations with access to state-of-the-art clinical trials, apply findings from relevant pediatric cohort studies to children in IDeA state locations, and build pediatric research capacity at a national level. Funding will also support professional development of faculty-level pediatricians and their support teams in the conduct of clinical trials research.”
What is your favorite part of the job?
Knowing that I am, in the long run, helping children.
Are there any challenges?
Well, since there are 17 sites, it can be challenging to keep up with all of the different sites’ requirements and preferences.
How does the DCOC work? What do future DCOC activities look like?
The DCOC is a new endeavor and in many ways like a start-up company. Our first study was a chart-review that involved not only the 17 primary sites, but some additional locations that were invited to participate. We have just initiated our first clinical trial and are working on starting 2 or 3 more studies.
How about after hours? What do you do for fun?
I am an ice-skater who learned to skate on the ponds of Pennsylvania, where I grew up. When I moved to Arkansas, I started taking ice skating lessons. I have skated singles, pairs, and ice dance in adult competitions in all three disciplines.
My favorite is pairs skating and my skating partner is Paul Frindik, a pediatrician at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. We have been skating together for over 20 years.
I also enjoy being outdoors and am a gardener and avid bird-watcher. I participate in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, which is a citizen-scientist event through Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.
What personal skill or hobby don’t most people know about you?
Most people don’t know that I used to play percussion (bass drum, cymbals, glockenspiel, chimes, triangle, etc.) in several bands. Playing the cymbals on Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever and the bass drum on the 1812 Overture at the local (State College, PA) 4th of July fireworks display was always a huge thrill. In high school, our marching band lead the parade down Main Street in Disneyworld.
I am also an adjunct instructor in microbiology at Pulaski Technical College. I have been an adjunct instructor for over 10 years and really enjoy teaching.
Any last thoughts on your position as an IRB Administrator for the DCOC?
This is a position that allows me to help other people both directly and indirectly. I particularly enjoy the educational aspects of my job and look forward to continuing to help the network grow and improve.