Polly Fox
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Imperial College London
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Since leaving Exeter, I started a Master’s at the University of Southampton in Healthcare Management and quickly realised it was not the course for me and left within the first two weeks. I got a job as a Patient Administrator at a private hospital in Guildford for 6 months and then went travelling and relocated. I then had some part-time jobs before I started work in Jan 2019 as a Clinical Research Site Administrator at Imperial College London. I then moved to St George’s University of London in Sept 2019 as a Clinical Project Officer and then Clinical Project Manager from July 2020, running many different studies, mostly COVID-19 vaccine trials. I moved back to Imperial in Jan 2022, and I now manage COVID-19 Human Challenge Trials, where we intentionally infect people with COVID-19 in a controlled and safe way, as well as other respiratory viral challenge studies and vaccine trials. I am also studying part-time for an MSc Clinical Trials with LSHTM
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I’m finding it very fulfilling to contribute to research that can lead to improved treatments and outcomes for many people.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
Exeter University Polo Club (Social Secretary).
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
Exeter was the perfect city for me to study. I didn’t want to go somewhere too big and I felt Exeter had a great mixture of town, beach and countryside.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Having a hard work ethic makes you very valuable and you will be recognised and rewarded for being a hard worker.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Absolutely go for it. There are so many entry level opportunities to start a career in Clinical Trials and then working your way up the career track as I have is very fulfilling and you learn so much.
