Lynette Blacher, Director of Data Management for the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG)
We are pleased to present a new “Employee Spotlight” series at the Frontier Science website. Lynette Blacher, Director of Data Management for the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG), has worked at Frontier Science for twenty years. Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters in Information and Library Science (MLS), both from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Prior to joining Frontier Science, Lynette worked as a research coordinator, responsible for analyzing data regarding work structure and quality of service in health care organizations.
Lynette began her career at Frontier Science as a data manager for the IBCSG, and within three years, she assumed her current role of Director of Data Management. Lynette and the IBCSG team at Frontier Science collaborate with over 1500 Centers and 40 Collaborative Groups to conduct trials in breast cancer. Their research has included Phase Ib – III treatment, surgical, interventional, observational, and registrational trials for early and metastatic breast cancer. Many of these trials have also included quality of life and translational research components. Lynette has also worked on trials studying rabies vaccines.
During her directorship, IBCSG has progressed from paper-based data collection systems to faxing/scanning, remote data entry, and the impending implementation of a web-based clinical trials management system. In 2008, Lynette administered the integration of trial coordination into the IBCSG Data Management Center’s activities. These activities involve working with Centers to meet regulatory requirements for trial activation and closure, developing logistics for country-specific participation, and assisting Centers with regulatory and conduct issues throughout the life of each trial. She currently coordinates the IBCSG Center Training and Data Quality Control Offices.
As a member of Frontier Science Leadership, Lynette is involved in several Frontier Science initiatives, including the State University of New York at Buffalo Intern Program, grant proposal writing, and the development of monitoring procedures. She is also a member of the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Group and Compliance Committee and coordinates the Cancer Projects Oversight Group.
Lynette is a member of the Society for Clinical Data Management and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Outside of work, Lynette spends her time gardening, restoring her 1800s home, and promoting local Buffalo community initiatives.