When you meet Daena Senatus, her energy is contagious. Whether she’s coordinating clinical research studies at the Translational Research Institute (TRI) or heading straight to a fitness class after work, she’s always in motion—with purpose.
Daena is a Clinical Research Coordinator II, or CRC II, serving as the essential link between study participants, sponsors, and principal investigators. “I’m basically the liaison between everyone involved,” she explains. “From the patients in our studies to the doctors who oversee them—we all work together to move science forward.”
That passion for progress started during her undergraduate studies in biology at Florida State University, where she got her first taste of research. While it began at the lab bench, her interest deepened during graduate school at Case Western in Cleveland, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “That’s when I really started to see how clinical research could directly impact people’s lives,” she says.
Daena’s professional journey began in Atlanta, where she worked on vaccine trials. Eventually, she returned to her hometown of Orlando and found her place at TRI—where she now plays a vital role in advancing treatments and supporting patients through their research journey.
She’s also an outspoken advocate for transparency in clinical trials. “Some people still think clinical research is like being a guinea pig. It’s not. We’re completely open with participants—about the drug or the device, the possible side effects, how many people have participated before, and what we’ve learned. It’s about helping them and future patients.”
One moment that stuck with her was when she told a border patrol officer she worked in clinical research. “He goes, ‘Oh, so you experiment on humans?’ I had to laugh and explain—that’s not how it works,” she says. “Without research, we wouldn’t have the treatments we rely on for something as simple as the common cold or as serious as diabetes.”
Outside of work, Diana’s coworkers know her as the resident group fitness enthusiast. “They always tease me because I come in with my tote bag packed with gym clothes,” she laughs. She’s especially devoted to Pilates and Lagree—“Pilates’ more intense, heart-pumping cousin,” she says. “I work out every day. I pay for the credits—I can’t let them go to waste!”
That same discipline and drive show up in her work with TRI. Each day, she meets people from all walks of life, many dealing with the complications of diabetes. “It really puts things into perspective,” she says. “You realize how quickly this could be anyone. That’s why prevention—and research—is so important.”
For Daena, clinical research isn’t just a job. It’s a commitment to better health, better science, and better futures—for all of us.
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