- Meet Clinical Research Associates Ana Zamani and Susanna Hellström
Clinical studies aren’t just about data collection. It’s about keeping studies on track through operational teamwork and navigating challenges in real time. For Ana Zamani and Susanna Hellström, Clinical Research Associates (CRAs, also called Monitors) at GBA Key2Compliance, this human side of clinical studies is at the core of their work.
Behind the Protocol: People, Progress, Purpose
When Ana first stepped into a clinic struggling to keep the study on track, she quickly found her role stretching beyond data oversight. Faced with an overwhelmed study nurse and a disengaged principal investigator, Ana became a motivator, teacher, and problem-solver. Through direct communication and hands-on support, she helped turn the site’s performance around. “It’s about meeting people where they are and showing them, they’re not alone,” Ana reflects.
For Susanna, with three years at GBA Key2Compliance, the role is about being the vital link between clinics, project managers, and sponsors. “We act as the operational backbone of the study, driving continuity and momentum at each clinic,” she explains. Ana calls herself “a spider in the web,” coordinating communications and resolving issues as they arise. Flexibility and quick thinking aren’t just assets—they’re essential.
The Glue That Holds Studies Together
Success in clinical studies rarely happens in isolation. “Strong teamwork is key,” says Susanna. Ana agrees and highlights the importance of trust and clarity in every interaction, from study nurses to principal investigators.
Ana recalls a particularly challenging project where staff turnover and low motivation threatened progress. She responded with regular, targeted training and on-site support, helping the team build confidence and rhythm. This personal engagement transformed a struggling site into an efficient, committed and successful team, demonstrating the impact of addressing root causes rather than surface symptoms, and acting on them.
Clinic Recruitment and Patient Enrollment: Where Studies Stall and CRAs Step In
Recruitment challenges are among the most common and most underestimated barriers to clinical study progress. Susanna notes that identifying clinics with both capacity and motivation is rarely straightforward. “Clinicians are incredibly busy, and studies can often feel like an extra burden, unless we’re proactive about support.” she explains.
Ana adds that patient enrollment brings its own challenges, from finding eligible participants to building trust and making sure patients understand why their participation matters. “Our role is to identify what’s actually holding them back,” Ana explains. “Is it workflow conflicts? Unclear responsibilities? A mismatch between protocol expectations and clinic routines? What sets skilled CRAs apart is the ability to anticipate these challenges, and not just to react to them,” Ana sums up. “Once we understand that, we can suggest tailored solutions. Sometimes it’s revised delegation, sometimes simple tools that help the staff keep track. By understanding the ripple effect of a study, we offer support that is both compliant and practical, ensuring that recruitment becomes a manageable task, not a bottleneck.”
Regulatory compliance is a core part of the support Ana and Susanna provide. “That’s a huge part of what we do,” Susanna explains. “We help sites understand why GCP (Good Clinical Practice), ISO standards, MDR or IVDR requirements exist and not just what they are. The goal is to shift the perspective from seeing these standards as burdens to recognizing them as tools for patient protection and data integrity, ultimately improving study quality.” Ana expands on this: “It’s not enough to say, ‘Follow the protocol.’ We translate the protocol into clinic language. What does this mean for how they prep patients? For how data gets entered? We make it workable.”
Their role blends education with hands-on problem-solving. “Although monitoring data is a huge part of what we do, building relationships, resolving issues, and keeping the study moving are essential parts of what makes the CRA role so central,” Susanna says.
The ability to adapt quickly, identify nuances beyond the data, and communicate clearly across the project team is what sets an experienced CRA apart. Whether it’s spotting early warning signs in non-compliance or translating regulatory updates into the operational day-to-day, the role demands both decisiveness and empathy.
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Why Clinical Insight Will Always Matter—Even in a Tech-Driven World
Technology is reshaping the way clinical studies are conducted and CRAs are evolving with it. Susanna recalls a time when paper-based data records were norm, contrasting to today’s systems enabling remote monitoring, digital platforms, and AI-driven tools. The landscape is shifting fast. But while the tools may change, the need for clinical insight, situational awareness, and human connection remains.
“No algorithm can replace the personal touch needed in healthcare research,” Susanna says. For her and Ana, technology can never replace the clinical insight, situational awareness, and human judgment that the work depends on. They use digital tools where they truly add value in reducing errors, streamlining processes, and helping teams stay aligned. But it’s their experience and intuition that often make the real difference. “You need a feel for how each project works, how people think, and what support will actually help individuals and teams move forward,” Ana explains.
At GBA Key2Compliance, CRAs like Ana and Susanna embody this balance. They operate at this intersection of systems and people. They help clients stay compliant and on schedule without losing sight of the realities on the ground. That means progress that aligns with reality just as much as with timelines.
“I wish I had started sooner,” Susanna reflects. “It’s a role where you grow constantly, both through the projects and the people you work with.” Ana adds, “Curiosity and staying updated with technology and regulations are essential but what matters most is knowing how to turn that into something clinics can actually use.”
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