Translating Grant Funding into Actionable Research

Denisha Rose Brown is a clinical research associate in the Elevate Lab, which focuses on improving health and healthcare delivery, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to achieve their best possible health. 

She completed her bachelor’s in molecular and cellular biology at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds a Master of Public Health from DePaul University. 

Where is your hometown?  

I’m a native Chicagoan and currently live on the Near West Side with my 10-year-old dog, Dolce.   

What led you to Northwestern?  

My journey at Northwestern University began ten years ago, when I joined the Lurie Cancer Center’s Clinical Trials Office as a clinical research project manager. In that role, I played a key role in supporting research compliance and oversight for an R01-funded study focused on DCIS, an early form of breast cancer, helping ensure the study was conducted with rigor, integrity and adherence to regulatory standards. 

What are you currently working on?   

In my role as a clinical research associate within the Elevate Lab, I collaborate closely with faculty to translate grant funding into actionable research initiatives. This includes supporting proposal development, establishing the operational infrastructure required to execute new awards, and creating structured plans for disseminating findings to community stakeholders, as well as internal and external collaborators. 

How does your work support the research enterprise at Feinberg?  

A core part of my role is cultivating strong, trustworthy relationships with community members and community-based organizations. This work supports true bidirectional engagement, ensuring that community voices help shape research initiatives. Building and sustaining this trust is essential to the research enterprise at Feinberg, particularly when addressing concerns about research participation. By leaning into these conversations, we can promote more equitable access and inclusion across all communities. 

Why do you enjoy working at Northwestern?  

I value being part of Northwestern University, where novel and innovative research is constantly advancing the field. It’s rewarding to contribute to a research infrastructure that ultimately helps patients live longer and healthier lives. I’m especially grateful for the sense of community fostered here. My colleagues are not only collaborative and supportive, but also deeply committed to each other’s growth and success.