ASHLEY MUNOZ, BSc
Clinical Research Coordinator, HIPpy Research Lab
Site:
Vancouver – BC Children’s Hospital
Ashley Munoz is a Clinical Research Coordinator for the HIPpy Research Lab at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at BC Children’s Hospital. The HIPpy Research Lab focuses on the paediatric hip and trauma, and Ashley works closely with various teams to coordinate and support the lab’s many studies. She also coordinates two major international pediatric hip registries, the International Hip Dysplasia Registry (IHDR) and the Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) Longitudinal International Prospective (SLIP) Registry, which are the largest registries of their kind in both size and scope.
Can you share a little bit about your educational background and journey, your current work, and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Vancouver and completed my undergrad in Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University. During this time, I first volunteered and then worked in an entomology lab, completing an undergraduate research project along the way. This experience sparked my interest in research. I also previously volunteered at a health care facility, working with individuals with various health needs and enjoying the experience. Afterwards, I worked as a Research Coordinator in Respiratory Medicine at St. Paul’s, and now I am a Research Coordinator for the HIPpy Research Lab at BC Children’s Hospital.
It is never a dull moment at the HIPpy Lab with all of the initiatives we have going on — no two work days are ever the same. Some of my responsibilities at the HIPpy Lab include meeting with and onboarding participating sites onto our Hippy Global Registry Program, completing ethics applications/amendments, handling research contracts, and building REDCap projects.
What inspired you to work in orthopaedics, specifically in the HIPpy Lab with Dr. Kishore Mulpuri?
My previous experience volunteering at a health care facility and the HIPpy Lab team inspired me to work in orthopaedics. Our team members are truly passionate about the work that they do and have provided outstanding mentorship and opportunities for growth over the years.
What excites you most about your work? What are you most proud of?
There are many things that excite me about my work. Our lab strongly encourages a collaborative approach to research, and we have many collaborators from all around the world. I enjoy meeting with our collaborators and getting to know them, as well as hearing about the research projects they have going on at their institutions. I also enjoy working with the many students that join our lab, and I’m proud to see the various pathways they have taken to advance their careers.
When you’re not working, where can we find you?
When I’m not working, you can find me taking long walks or spending time outside with my dog. I also enjoy taking hikes in the summer, reading, and baking.
