Staff Profile: Adam White, MSCI Program Administrator
Medical residents, fellows, and junior faculty often value Adam White just as much as he values them. As program administrator for the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) and the Multidisciplinary Training Program in Child and Adolescent Health (TL1) programs at the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, White expertly juggles his administrative duties and students’ needs, from the pre-application process through graduation.
Although he’s been at Northwestern for almost 11 years, White’s career path was a surprise even to him. After growing up in and around Chicago, he earned his BA in English Literature and his Master’s in Elementary Education at Northeastern Illinois University. While on the hunt for a teaching job, he spent several years as a loan collector for a Chicago credit corporation before landing a clerical position with the Illinois Association of Realtors. Having worked as a substitute teacher, but deciding it wasn't the right professional trajectory for him, White made the transition to Northwestern in 2010, where he began his research administration career in the Division of Infectious Diseases.
Now, more than a decade later, he’s the face of the MSCI, a part-time degree program primarily for medical residents, fellows, and junior faculty members who wish to receive formal training in clinical research. The program’s main objective is to produce clinical scientists who are skilled in clinical research, competitive in seeking research support, and knowledgeable about the complex issues associated with conducting sound clinical research. White notes that the MSCI degree is significantly helpful to students hoping for a role as principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant.
White’s job is multifaceted: he provides support to potential MSCI students during the application process and helps them to enroll in the program, advises current students on course selection (he’s excited about the new Electronic Health Data Records class!), and handles the paperwork that makes it possible for them to graduate. He also works as program administrator for three other NUCATS programs: the TL1 training program, the summer Science Immersion Program (SIP), and the Health and Biomedical Informatics MS program, although MSCI remains his main focus.
I believe strongly in the work they are pursuing. They are quite literally changing the world in real time. They are extraordinary human beings and anything I can do to make their lives easier, I consider a pleasure.”
“Adam is the face of the MSCI. He is an advocate for the students first and foremost, and does a phenomenal job as students work through different university processes and requirements,” says Emily Traw, assistant director of the NUCATS Center for Education and Career Development. “Students consistently voice their appreciation for all that he does – his contributions are widely recognized and have a positive impact on student experiences.”
White says the same about his students’ contributions. “I believe strongly in the work they are pursuing. They are quite literally changing the world in real time,” he says. “They are extraordinary human beings and anything I can do to make their lives easier, I consider a pleasure.” He emphasizes the importance of treating each student as an individual, instead of a part of a larger collective, in order to provide the support they need to complete a challenging program.
White recalls an international student who enrolled in the MSCI program never having been to the United States before: “We helped her find an apartment, understand the Chicago transit system, and learn how to be self-sufficient in an unfamiliar environment. She was so appreciative that she sends holiday greetings and a gift every year.” White was thrilled to hear that she is now a successful clinician in her home country.
Outside of working hours, White finds joy in discovering new music, and cannot wait until it is safe to attend live music events again. In the meantime, he has been exploring ways to engage with music virtually, including creating a master playlist of his top 50 albums of 2020. He also mentions that his English degree comes in handy in crossword puzzle competitions.
Looking to the future, White’s main priority is to continue supporting as many adult learners as possible as they work to achieve their educational goals. It doesn’t just take a scientific mind to help facilitate new discoveries; compassion and selflessness are key ingredients, too.
Written by Morgan Frost
