Clinical trials are a cornerstone of medical advancement, yet their digital transformation poses significant challenges. At Science37, a SaaS clinical trial platform, I contributed to building and optimizing an innovative ecosystem that simplifies patient data management and trial execution for researchers and medical professionals.
Introduction to Science37
Science37 empowers healthcare professionals and researchers by streamlining clinical trial processes through its cutting-edge SaaS platform. It enables decentralized trials, allowing remote participation and data collection, ultimately increasing accessibility and efficiency in medical research. In this blog, I’ll share my contributions to the platform’s development, focusing on the technical challenges, solutions, and impact.
My Key Contributions
1. Full Stack Development and Maintenance
-
Developed, documented, tested, and maintained core features of the clinical trial ecosystem.
-
Managed an average of 3 tickets per sprint in a 21-day cycle, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to Agile practices.
-
Utilized JavaScript/TypeScript with React, NestJS, ExpressJS, and LoopBack 2.0 for frontend and backend development, supported by MySQL and AWS cloud services.
2. Optimized Data Processing and Transfer
-
Created REST APIs with Node.js (NestJS and LoopBack 2.0) to enhance the efficiency of patient data transfer between systems.
-
Achieved an 83.33% reduction in clinical trial data export/import times by optimizing legacy algorithms and integrating AWS S3 and AWS SDK 2.
3. Automated Data Archiving
-
Automated 90% of clinical trial data archiving processes using Nx mono repo and NestJS microservices.
-
Dockerized the archival solution and deployed it on AWS ECS Fargate, managing containers with AWS SDK 3, significantly improving operational efficiency.
4. Enhanced User Experience (UX)
-
Reduced notification load times on a legacy React frontend (Redux Observable) from 1 minute to 6 seconds for 100 records, implementing asynchronous lazy loading and infinite scroll.
-
Improved user record retrieval by introducing search and filter functionality for 6+ distinct form types and multiple tabs with complex conditions.
5. Agile Collaboration and Reliability
-
Delivered 6 user stories per sprint while identifying and addressing pain points and success opportunities.
-
Maintained a 100% bug-fixing rate within sprint timelines, ensuring the platform’s reliability and optimal performance.
-
Conducted thorough unit testing using React Testing Library and Jest to maintain high-quality standards.
Core Technologies and Best Practices
-
Frontend: React (Redux Observable), JavaScript/TypeScript
-
Backend: NestJS, LoopBack 2.0, ExpressJS, MySQL.
-
Cloud & Automation: AWS (S3, ECS Fargate, SDK 2/3), Docker, Nx monorepos.
-
Collaboration Tools: Agile/Scrum practices with Jira, GitHub, MS Teams, and Slack.
Impact Metrics
-
83.33% Time Reduction: Streamlined data export/import processes, enhancing efficiency for researchers.
-
90% Process Automation: Automated data archival, reducing manual intervention and saving significant time.
-
6-Second Load Times: Improved notification performance, providing a smoother user experience.
-
100% Bug-Fixing Rate: Delivered reliable software within sprint timelines, ensuring high-quality releases.
Lessons Learned and Industry Impact
Working on Science37’s clinical trial platform reinforced my understanding of scalable system architecture, efficient data handling, and user-centric design. The platform’s success demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can transform healthcare technology, improving accessibility and efficiency in clinical research. By embracing automation, optimizing performance, and fostering collaboration, we enabled faster, more reliable clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of medical science.
Empowering Decentralized Trials with Technology
Science37 exemplifies the potential of technology to transform healthcare. From optimizing data workflows to enhancing user experiences, the platform sets a benchmark for innovation in clinical trial management. My contributions were a small yet impactful part of a larger mission to revolutionize medical research worldwide.