Xtalks Featured Member: Rebecca Starkie, Consultant, Civia Health

We’re excited to spotlight Xtalks Featured Community Member Rebecca Starkie, Consultant at Civia Health, who champions bold, patient-centered approaches to clinical research and engagement. From launching impactful initiatives to amplifying patient voices, she brings empathy and innovation to every project she leads. Read her thoughts on patient-centricity, inclusivity and the future of clinical trials.

What Are Your Proudest Life Science Achievements?

This is a tough question to answer, as I try to celebrate the small wins regularly, something I’ve found essential in an industry that can be both demanding and unpredictable. Whether it’s launching a new patient-facing campaign or seeing clients genuinely engage with patient insights to improve a clinical trial, those moments matter. They’re often the quiet but meaningful indicators of progress. Right now, I’m especially proud to be part of a brilliant team working on an initiative that challenges the traditional ways we partner with patients. It’s bold, community-focused and rooted in education and awareness, something I believe the industry needs more of. As we prepare to launch this in the autumn, I feel a real sense of pride in what we’re building together. If it succeeds, it won’t just be a professional milestone; it will be a testament to what’s possible when we dare to do things differently.

What Are Your Day-to-Day Job Highlights?

One of the most meaningful parts of my day-to-day work is engaging directly with patients and hearing their stories. It never fails to move me, especially when I meet individuals who have actively sought out clinical research as a treatment option and, in doing so, have extended their lives. In the face of adversity, many find a strength that not only transforms their own journey but also helps shift the needle for others. That kind of resilience and impact is incredibly humbling. I also feel fortunate to work alongside inspiring colleagues who bring passion and purpose to what they do. Every day is a chance to learn something new and share that knowledge, especially with those coming up through the ranks. I’ve had kind feedback from women who’ve seen me lead with empathy, even while literally holding a baby at work, and that they’ve felt encouraged that it’s possible to build a career in life sciences while staying true to yourself. Those moments of connection and influence are the highlights I carry with me.

What Are Your Favorite Life Science Innovations?

One of my favourite innovations in life sciences is the shift toward truly patient-centric research, supported by technologies that make this possible at scale. Platforms that simplify trial matching and enable patients to track their experiences in real time, giving researchers richer, more relevant data. I’m also inspired by the rise of decentralized clinical trials, which is breaking down traditional barriers to participation and making research more accessible and inclusive. AI-driven platforms that analyse patient-reported outcomes or predict trial dropouts are also game-changers, helping us design smarter, more responsive studies. But beyond the tech, it’s the cultural shift that excites me most, seeing teams embrace empathy, transparency and co-creation with patients as essential to innovation. That’s where I believe the real transformation lies.

What Is Your Vision for the Future of the Industry?

I’m excited about the future of patient engagement in the life sciences industry, particularly as we stand at the intersection of technological innovation and evolving healthcare needs. While AI and digital tools are accelerating change across the sector, patient engagement has paradoxically stalled in recent years, impacted by budget constraints and workforce reductions. This is largely due to the difficulty in measuring its outcomes, public understanding and participation in clinical research remain elusive metrics. Yet, I believe this challenge presents an opportunity. As an industry, we must invest in smarter, evidence-based approaches to patient engagement that align with the pace of innovation. By doing so, we can ensure that patients remain at the heart of progress, and that engagement is not only valued but visibly impactful.

Apply Yourself or Nominate a Peer

Do you know someone doing incredible work in the life sciences? Or perhaps you’re proud of your own journey and want to inspire others? We’d love to hear from you.

You can apply to be an Xtalks Featured Community Member or nominate a colleague through our simple online form. It takes just a few minutes, and it could open doors to new conversations, partnerships and recognition across the industry.

Let’s celebrate the people driving life sciences forward, one story at a time.