In the second of our EMCR Spotlight posts, we hear from Urooj Shahid, Clinical Research Assistant at Sina Health, Education and Welfare Trust, involved in the SPiRiT-D project.
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Urooj Shahid, and I work as a Clinical Research Assistant at Sina Health, Education and Welfare Trust, contributing to mental health research projects under the Centre for IMPACT, in collaboration with The Initiative Pakistan, The Institute of Psychiatry and supported by the NIHR. My role involves handling clinical trials by processing participants’ recruitment, conducting assessments, and supporting data collection and research activities. What I enjoy most about my work is being part of the research that has the potential to improve mental health care and make a real difference in people’s lives.
How did you end up in this field? Was there a specific moment or interest that led you to the Centre for IMPACT?
My background is in Biotechnology and from early on I was fascinated by how research can be used to address real-world health challenges. During my academic journey and research experiences, I realised that I wanted to work in a field where scientific evidence could directly improve people’s lives. What drew me specifically to mental health research was recognising how common mental health challenges are, yet how often they remain overlooked, misunderstood or stigmatised in Pakistan.
I became increasingly interested in understanding how research could help bridge gaps in awareness, access to care, and evidence-based interventions. The opportunity to contribute to work that has the potential to improve both individual lives and public health outcomes was increasingly motivating for me.
Joining the Centre for IMPACT felt like a natural next step because it brought together everything I was looking for: meaningful research, collaboration with experienced researchers and clinicians, and the chance to contribute to generating evidence that can inform better mental health care in Pakistan and beyond. Being part of this work has reinforced my belief that research is most powerful when it creates tangible benefits for the communities it serves.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day usually involves a mix of supporting site visits, participant engagement, research coordination, and ensuring compliance with ethical and research protocols. Much of my time is spent meeting potential participants, assessing their eligibility for the study, guiding them through the assessments, coordinating participant follow-ups, maintaining accurate study documentation, and preparing research
reports. My responsibilities also include collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure smooth study implementation, maintain accurate study records, and ensure data is collected and managed according to protocol. Throughout the research process, I am committed to maintaining participant confidentiality, data integrity, and adherence to institutional and regulatory standards.
What has been your favorite moment or biggest “win” within the project so far?
It’s difficult to choose just one moment, as being part of this project has been a rewarding journey from the very beginning. Working closely with participants has given me a deeper understanding of the real world impact that mental health research can have on individuals, families and communities.
Seeing people willingly contribute their time and experiences to research that may benefit others in the future has been especially inspiring. And my biggest win so far has been the opportunity to contribute to the successful implementation of mental health clinical trials in my home country, Pakistan, where there is a growing recognition of the importance of mental wellbeing and a need for stronger evidence to guide services and interventions. Being part of research that has the potential to shape future mental health care and positively impact communities is something I am genuinely proud of.
What are you most excited about working on in the coming year?
I’m excited to continue growing in the field of clinical research and expanding my understanding of how high quality research can drive meaningful improvements in healthcare. Over the coming year, I look forward to gaining broader experience across different aspects of clinical trials, strengthening my research skills, and learning from experienced researchers and clinicians. I’m particularly interested in developing a deeper understanding of study design, data analysis, and translation of research findings into real-world practice. I also hope to continue my academic journey through advanced study and further specialisation, allowing me to deepen my knowledge and make more meaningful contributions to research.
What do you do to switch off when you aren’t doing research?
Outside of work, I enjoy painting a lot, reading books, baking and going for walks to clear my mind. I also enjoy learning new skills and exploring topics related to health care, research and personal development. I’m someone who genuinely enjoys learning, so I often find myself reading for both personal and professional development. These activities help me recharge, stay curious and focused, and continuously grow both personally and professionally, while also bringing fresh perspective back to my work.
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