Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Clinical Research Coordinator, Alexandra Lenart!

Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Clinical Research Coordinator, Alexandra Lenart!

By Erica Lee

By Erica Lee

Alexandra Lenart

Alexandra Lenart

Alexandra Lenart is a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) at Massachusetts General Hospital. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics at Wellesley College. Before joining PETAL Consortium, she was a Scrub Technician at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Central New Jersey, as well as a Research Assistant in the Tetel Lab at Wellesley College.

Alexandra Lenart is a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) at Massachusetts General Hospital. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics at Wellesley College. Before joining PETAL Consortium, she was a Scrub Technician at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Central New Jersey, as well as a Research Assistant in the Tetel Lab at Wellesley College.

Alexandra Lenart is a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) at Massachusetts General Hospital. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics at Wellesley College. Before joining PETAL Consortium, she was a Scrub Technician at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Central New Jersey, as well as a Research Assistant in the Tetel Lab at Wellesley College.

In this Q&A, meet Alexandra Lenart, PETAL Consortium’s CRC!

In this Q&A, meet Alexandra Lenart, PETAL Consortium’s CRC!

What made you decide to major in Economics in college?

What made you decide to major in Economics in college?

I entered college unsure if I wanted to pursue medical school. I had enjoyed AP Microeconomics in high school and decided to take another class during my first semester at Wellesley College, where the economics department is very strong. In addition to the rigorous science coursework required of a pre-med student, economics offered me an intellectual balance, a solid plan B in case I did change paths.

I entered college unsure if I wanted to pursue medical school. I had enjoyed AP Microeconomics in high school and decided to take another class during my first semester at Wellesley College, where the economics department is very strong. In addition to the rigorous science coursework required of a pre-med student, economics offered me an intellectual balance, a solid plan B in case I did change paths.

What was it like transitioning from a background in economics to a career in healthcare?

What was it like transitioning from a background in economics to a career in healthcare?

Although my earlier experiences included a finance internship, I found that skills like professionalism, organization, and cross-departmental collaboration translated well into medicine. Eventually, I missed being involved in medicine, which is why I transitioned from finance to a hardcore clinical position. This shift in career taught me a lot about being in any work environment.

Although my earlier experiences included a finance internship, I found that skills like professionalism, organization, and cross-departmental collaboration translated well into medicine. Eventually, I missed being involved in medicine, which is why I transitioned from finance to a hardcore clinical position. This shift in career taught me a lot about being in any work environment.

What inspired you to go into medical research?

What inspired you to go into medical research?

The altruistic nature of this field attracted me. Growing up a Girl Scout and avid volunteer, I wanted to combine my wet lab experience with patient-facing roles. I’ve always had a desire to do service-oriented work, and this position provides me the opportunity to interact with patients this research aims to help. I think the therapies and molecular studies we are doing are the future of medical research, and there is so much growth that’s to come. 

The altruistic nature of this field attracted me. Growing up a Girl Scout and avid volunteer, I wanted to combine my wet lab experience with patient-facing roles. I’ve always had a desire to do service-oriented work, and this position provides me the opportunity to interact with patients this research aims to help. I think the therapies and molecular studies we are doing are the future of medical research, and there is so much growth that’s to come. 

Why did you want to join PETAL Consortium?

Why did you want to join PETAL Consortium?

I was already working as a CRC for the lead principal investigator, Dr. Salvia Jain, at the Jain Lab, so I had always been closely involved with PETAL. From when I took over as the CRC for PETAL, I’ve witnessed the Consortium’s growth in both patient enrollment and site activation. To see the rapid growth that has happened since I started at PETAL has truly been gratifying.

I was already working as a CRC for the lead principal investigator, Dr. Salvia Jain, at the Jain Lab, so I had always been closely involved with PETAL. From when I took over as the CRC for PETAL, I’ve witnessed the Consortium’s growth in both patient enrollment and site activation. To see the rapid growth that has happened since I started at PETAL has truly been gratifying.

What does a week-in-your-life at PETAL Consortium look like?

What does a week-in-your-life at PETAL Consortium look like?

My schedule varies by day. Mondays are clinic-heavy, where I’m able to interact a lot with patients—collecting blood, saliva, surveys, and patient consent forms. Although I will see patients throughout the rest of the week, Tuesdays through Fridays tend to be more lab focused. I run a global study on Natural Killer and T-cell lymphoma, which are two types of blood cancers, organizing data and samples with Massachusetts General Hospital and other collaborator sites. My tasks include wet lab work, sample processing, and working with the bioinformatics team—they use computer technology to analyze biological data. My day really varies week to week, but it is a blend of patient interaction and lab research.

My schedule varies by day. Mondays are clinic-heavy, where I’m able to interact a lot with patients—collecting blood, saliva, surveys, and patient consent forms. Although I will see patients throughout the rest of the week, Tuesdays through Fridays tend to be more lab focused. I run a global study on Natural Killer and T-cell lymphoma, which are two types of blood cancers, organizing data and samples with Massachusetts General Hospital and other collaborator sites. My tasks include wet lab work, sample processing, and working with the bioinformatics team—they use computer technology to analyze biological data. My day really varies week to week, but it is a blend of patient interaction and lab research.

Any interests/hobbies?

Any interests/hobbies?

I was a college athlete, so I love staying active in many ways—weight training, running, and skiing. On weekends, I love to bake and cook.

I was a college athlete, so I love staying active in many ways—weight training, running, and skiing. On weekends, I love to bake and cook.

What’s your perfect meal?

What’s your perfect meal?

My perfect meal would have to be a Cantonese-style lobster with ginger and scallion,steamed fish with hot oil, white rice, baby pea shoots, and a Diet Coke.

Favorite TV shows/movies?

Favorite TV shows/movies?

I recently watched Gilmore Girls and Severance. I really enjoyed both!

I recently watched Gilmore Girls and Severance. I really enjoyed both!

Any pets or houseplants?

I keep a lot of houseplants in my Boston home, and I have a family dog named Maggie (pictured on the right) back in New Jersey.

Any pets or houseplants?

I keep a lot of houseplants in my Boston home, and I have a family dog named Maggie (pictured on the right) back in New Jersey.

Any pets or houseplants?

I keep a lot of houseplants in my Boston home, and I have a family

dog named Maggie (pictured on the right) back in New Jersey.

Dream vacation destination?


Dream vacation destination?

I want to explore more of Asia, especially Thailand, Japan, and China. I’m drawn to the history and culture of China, where half of my family is from.

I want to explore more of Asia, especially Thailand, Japan, and China. I’m drawn to the history and culture of China, where half of my family is from

Since we’re PETAL Consortium, favorite flower?

Since we’re PETAL Consortium, favorite flower?

Orchids!

Orchids!