In this edition of our “Meet the Team” series, we’re excited to spotlight Erica Elwood, Clinical Project Manager. At Lightship, executing a trial across multiple settings takes tight coordination and people who know how to keep every piece moving. We talked to Erica about what drew her to Lightship, what project management looks like at a site network built to bring research to participants, and where she wanders when she’s not at work.
How long have you been with Lightship? What brought you here?
I’ve been with Lightship since October 2024. What brought me here was the opportunity to help make clinical research more accessible by bringing it directly to participants and engaging with communities in a meaningful way. I was really drawn to Lightship’s flexible, community-focused approach and the ability to help remove barriers that often prevent people from participating in research.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
One of the things I enjoy most about my role is how collaborative and fast-paced every day is. I work closely with sponsors and internal teams to keep projects moving forward, problem-solve along the way, and ensure everyone stays aligned. A big part of my role is keeping every workstream connected and on track.
What excites you most about working in clinical research?
I love working across teams to bring protocols to life and open up participation for more people. As a project manager, I enjoy operationalizing studies and ensuring all the moving parts come together so research can reach the communities it’s designed to serve.
How does your work contribute to Lightship’s mission of making research participation possible for all?
My role is bringing people together to keep projects moving forward efficiently and collaboratively. By coordinating across teams, I help bring research directly into communities and into participants’ homes, creating a consistent, participant-centered experience across every setting in which Lightship operates.
What is your favorite part about working at Lightship?
The team-oriented environment and shared sense of purpose across teams. Everyone is working toward the same goals, and it’s exciting to be part of such an innovative, mission-driven organization. The variety across the projects I manage keeps the work engaging. No two days are the same, which keeps it both challenging and rewarding.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling whenever I can. I love exploring new places, wandering around, and seeing what I can discover—especially a good local coffee shop! There’s something fun about finding little hidden gems in new cities and just taking it all in.
Thank you, Erica, for sharing your story and for the coordination you bring to every project. The work of keeping sponsors, teams, and participants connected, study after study, is what makes it possible for research to reach the communities it was designed to serve. We’re glad to have you on the team. Stay tuned for our next “Meet the Team” feature!