Clinical Research Fellows
The Nghiem lab has benefited enormously from having clinical research fellows on staff. Clinical research fellows respond to patients’ questions, needs and concerns throughout the difficult journey of diagnosis, referral to Seattle (some travel a very long way), and treatment. In a typical week, fellows will see 8-10 patients in clinic, present 4-8 patient cases at a tumor board discussion, and manage 300-400 messages regarding patient care. Fellows also participate in novel research, helping bridge the gap between science and medical care.
In addition to being valuable to patients, the fellowship is valuable to the careers of the gifted medical students, physicians, and postdoctoral fellows who hold these positions. Our fellows have come from across the United States, France, Germany, India, Japan, Colombia, and South Korea. At this point, the funding for this position is unpredictable, but necessary. To benefit patients and research efforts, Dr. Nghiem and his colleagues would like to ensure the lab can hire fellows to have an impact in the world of MCC research, well into the future. A gift to our clinical research fellows is an investment in the next generation of MCC researchers and clinicians.
Giving link: Get Creative: Merkel Cell Carcinoma Research in the Nghiem Lab – Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Meet our Fellows
Erin McClure
Erin McClure (she/her) is a fourth-year medical student at the University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, in Tampa, Florida. She is currently taking a gap year to expand her research experience as a Clinical Research Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Nghiem. In addition to medical school, she is also pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Scholarly Excellence, Leadership Experiences, Collaborative Training (SELECT) affiliated with Lehigh Valley Health Network. Erin graduated from the University of Washington with her BS in General Biology (Cum Laude) in 2017. As an undergraduate and medical student, Erin has become a member and leader of many professional organizations focused on mentorship, medical education, and volunteerism.
Erin has had several professional research experiences including supporting the UW Department of Biology as a Research Assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Benjamin Kerr, and as a Research Technician in the laboratory of Dr. Jacob Scott at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute. Her research has been featured in many peer reviewed publications and abstract poster presentations, several of which have been selected to be presented at national and international conferences. Erin’s clinical and research interests include rheumatologic and oncologic dermatology. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, pickleball, playing board games and spending time with her pet corgi.
Neha Singh
Neha Singh (she/her) is a rising fourth-year medical student at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM). She graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Biochemistry in 2018 and received a Graduate Certificate in Research in Translational Medicine from Virginia Tech during medical school.
Neha first came to the UW Division of Dermatology in 2016 as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Nghiem; collaborating with lab members on several projects focused on Merkel cell carcinoma. In 2018, Neha transitioned to become a Research Scientist in the Nghiem Lab where she continued her clinical research efforts and took on additional leadership responsibilities including the coordination of undergraduates in the lab. As a medical student at Virginia Tech, Neha has received many accolades for her high academic standing and clinical performance. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and she has been invited to present at several regional and national conferences. In addition to her studies, Neha is currently supporting research in the Virginia Tech Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Pathology, and Dermatology.
Some of Neha’s personal clinical and research interests include dermatologic oncology and skin of color. In her free time, Neha enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, teaching semi-classical Indian dance, and playing tennis.