The world of clinical research is not for the faint of heart. It demands a unique blend of scientific curiosity, unwavering commitment, and a deep sense of compassion for patients. For Cara Caasi Singh and Alexandra Diaz, the founders of Ascend Clinical Research, these qualities are not just professional traits—they are personal values that guide their journey.
Cara Caasi Singh’s journey into clinical research began at Cambridge University Hospitals in the UK, where she provided acute therapies and palliative care for cancer patients. But as she saw patients struggle with limited treatment options, a sense of urgency grew within her. “I realized that more patients were getting sicker, and the treatments available were becoming limited or obsolete in effectiveness,” Cara shares. This realization sparked a shift in her career, leading her to the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre, where she managed clinical trials and quickly earned a reputation as a top recruiter.
Her career then expanded beyond cancer trials, with a leadership role at the UK’s first psychedelic-focused research facility, pioneering studies in psychiatry and neurosciences. “I faced challenges in transformative leadership, managing resources, and maintaining ethical and safe trial delivery,” she recalls. Despite these hurdles, Cara’s commitment to patient-centered care never wavered.
This drive led her to establish Ascend Clinical Research, an organization designed to deliver high-quality clinical trials with a focus on patient access and safety. “We’ve designed our business model with the patient at the core of our service,” she explains. Through streamlined pre-screen assessments and adaptive frameworks, Ascend ensures that patients are reviewed within 24 hours of signing up, fostering trust and engagement.
From bedside nursing to executive leadership
Alexandra Diaz’s journey began in the Philippines in 1999, where she worked as a staff nurse before moving to the UK in 2001. Her discovery of research nursing was almost accidental—an unexpected opportunity in the Critical Care Unit of Bristol. “I applied without knowing much about it,” she admits. But that experience would become a turning point, teaching her that clinical research was about more than data—it was about shaping the future of healthcare.
Over the years, Alexandra held various roles, from Research Nurse to SiteChoice Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “Working across diverse regions broadened my understanding of how culture, beliefs, and knowledge can impact team dynamics,” she shares. These experiences prepared her for her current role as Chief Operating Officer of Ascend, where she ensures that the organization’s operations run smoothly and efficiently.
Alexandra’s leadership is grounded in faith. “My faith is anchored in the Golden Rule: ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you,’” she says. It’s a philosophy she brings to her team, believing that a supportive and empathetic approach leads to better outcomes, both for staff and patients.
Balancing passion, leadership, and personal lives
Both Cara and Alexandra are not just healthcare leaders—they are also mothers. Cara is a mother to a two-year-old premature warrior boy, and she credits her son with giving her the strength to balance leadership and motherhood. “It is an arduous process of daily reflection and execution,” she shares. With a supportive husband and a committed team, she finds resilience in both her personal and professional life.
For Alexandra, faith and mentorship are her anchors. She has spoken at numerous conferences, sharing her experiences and insights with emerging professionals. “Being a speaker doesn’t mean you know everything,” she emphasizes. “If you learn to actively listen to questions, you learn even more.”
Together, Cara Caasi Singh and Alexandra Diaz have built Ascend Clinical Research as a beacon of innovation, patient-centered care, and professional growth. Their journeys—one driven by a desire for better treatments, the other by a commitment to lifelong learning—reflect the power of resilience, compassion, and vision in the world of clinical research.
