In honor of National Cancer Research Administrator Day on Sept. 25, we sat down with Samantha Kaiser, senior director, Research Operations at Earle A. Chiles Institute Cancer, the research arm of Providence Cancer Institute, to talk about her fulfilling career path in cancer research administration.
Samantha’s journey to the institute didn’t begin with cancer research, it started in project management for a local clothing manufacturer. While she enjoyed her work, she felt she was missing a connection between people and community. After almost 18 years with the company, she was ready for a big change.
“It had been my first job,” says Samantha. “I had been at the company since I was 18. I loved it, but I wanted to push myself to take a risk.”
Finding that connection to community
Samantha knew that whatever her next move was, she wanted to do something that had an impact on her community. During her job search she came across a listing for a position at Providence Cancer Institute.
“I hadn’t even thought of going into health care, but I liked Providence’s mission and values,” she says. “I thoroughly researched the companies I was interested in, and Providence was at the top of the list.”
She was hired as the executive assistant to Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D., who led the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute from 1993 to 2024. “I didn’t have a specific desire to work in cancer research,” says Samantha. “However, after meeting with all the incredible scientists, researchers and lab staff, I was impressed.”
With that, her career in cancer research administration officially began.
Learning by doing
Without a background in cancer research, Samantha says she truly learned on the job. She used the skills she gained in project management and applied it to the unique language of health care and research. Through her role she came to understand the true value and importance of science and research.
“It’s not just about discovery. It's about patients whose lives are improved and the researchers who dedicate themselves to translating discoveries into healing," she says. "There is a profound personal and professional accountability when moving research from the lab to the bedside, and being a part of that process is deeply rewarding.”
After a couple of years supporting Dr. Urba, Samantha was ready to take the next big step in her career—a promotion to cancer research administrator.
In this role, Samantha’s task list is long and varied. Her job includes everything from managing people to managing financial resources and overseeing all aspects of the grant process for research projects including contracting, budgeting, and compliance. The grant process really speaks to the project manager in Samantha. “It’s like putting together a puzzle,” she says. “It feeds that part of me that really likes to feel like I accomplished something when we hit ‘submit.’”
Compassion First
When asked for practical advice for individuals interested in pursuing a career in research administration, Samantha suggests joining professional associations for development and remaining adaptable when collaborating with a variety of scientists and researchers. She also offered this one last important piece of advice: “Lead with compassion in whatever you're doing,” she says. “It just opens doors, and it opens conversation.”
About Earle A. Chiles Research Institute
Providence Cancer Institute is a leading provider of cancer care in Oregon and a global leader in immuno-oncology. Through its research division, the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, patients have access to state-of-the-art genomic sequencing, adoptive cellular therapies and a robust clinical research portfolio comprising early phase, investigator-initiated, cooperative group and industry-sponsored trials. Learn more about research at Earle A. Chiles Research Institute.
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