Stephania is recognized for volunteering her time and knowledge throughout her career to help shape the systems that make clinical trials in BC possible. She brings a rare mix of expertise with a background in research administration, law, and risk management. She navigates government requirements, connects industry partners, and contributes to provincial initiatives to shorten the administrative timeline for a research study to begin.

“Patients are the heart of what we do,” Stephania says. “We’re working nationally, provincially, and locally to improve access and reduce barriers so patients can take part in potentially life-saving trials.”

Having worked in clinical research for two decades, it was recent cancer diagnoses for two people close to her that brought renewed meaning to her work. She was reminded, in a deeply personal way, that illness can touch the people we love – and while some conditions have treatments, others still leave families waiting for hope.

“I think about that a lot now,” she says. “To get a little extra time with these people – what you would give for that.”

Keen to share her expertise, Stephania has mentored other research administrators in the province and served on numerous provincial and pan-Canadian committees. Volunteering alongside one of the dedicated committees and a team of patient partners, she co-led the development of resources to educate patients and potential participants about clinical trials and how to get involved. Today, the “It Starts with Me”campaign is widely used across Canada.

For Stephania, working alongside people with lived experience reinforced the importance of having patient voices around the table. Those who share their experience can be powerful allies in shaping better research outcomes.

“Most of us are patients at some time,” she says. “That voice can really bring depth to the conversations, and you end up with work that’s relevant and meaningful to the audience it’s meant to serve.”

Motivated by bringing clinical trial opportunities to patients in BC, she has supported initiatives related to “Permission to Contact” and has played a leadership role in the development of REACH BC, an online platform which matches potential participants with health research studies.

“We felt we came up with something that served the public well. It puts the power in the patient’s hands to express interest in participating in research.”

Her volunteer spirit is evident – always with a patient’s interests in mind and in heart. She is excited to build on the growing momentum across the province to further integrate care with research.

“When people have access to clinical trials, it offers hope,” she says. “And people should be given that chance.”

Stephania Manusha is the Senior Director of Clinical Trials Strategy and Industry Relations with Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. She is also a provincial consultant for BC’s Research Approvals Processes Project (RAPP).

She was the chair of the BC Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (BCCRIN) Administration and Contracts Task Committee from 2012 to 2016 and currently serves as a Clinical Trials British Columbia Advisory Council member. She chaired the Network of Networks (N2) Education and Awareness Committee from 2007 to 2017. She was actively involved in the national effort led by the Canadian Clinical Trials Coordinating Centre (CCTCC) to develop a Clinical Trials Master Agreement, which now serves as a foundational model for other initiatives.