Blue Devil of the Week: From Data Entry to Associate Director

Brenda Franklin-Goode of the Duke Clinical Research Institute uses curiosity to help clinical trials find answers

Brenda Franklin-Goode
Duke Clinical Research Institute's Brenda Franklin-Goode helps researchers find the data they need. Photo by Stephen Schramm.

Name: Brenda Franklin-Goode

Position: Associate Director, Technology and Data Solutions, Duke Clinical Research Institute

Years at Duke: 22

What she does at Duke: In 2000, Brenda Franklin-Goode took a data entry position with Duke Clinical Research Institute, not knowing where it might lead. Very quickly, she saw that at Duke, a curious spirit and open mind could take her far.

When she arrived, the largely paper-based world of clinical research was moving toward a new digital reality. As managers gave her opportunities to solve technical problems and learn new skills, she played a role in bringing that transition forward.

Brenda Franklin-Goode
When Brenda Franklin-Goode first arrived at DCRI in 2000, she handled data entry duties. Now she leads a large team which helps researchers figure out the best way to gather the data they need. Photo by Stephen Schramm.

“Every time they gave me something more challenging to do, and I realized I liked it, I was intrigued,” said Franklin-Goode, who gained skills through courses at Durham Technical Community College, and online tutorials from LinkedIn Learning and Coursera, both of which offer no-cost learning options for Duke community members. 

Now, overseeing a team of roughly 40, Franklin-Goode’s works with principal investigators to figure out which technologies – such as wearable smart devices or sophisticated databases – can help them collect and analyze the most accurate and appropriate data for the trials, which can yield life-changing treatments.

“When I came to Duke, I wanted a change, but I didn’t realize what I really needed was a challenge,” Franklin-Goode said.

What she values about working at Duke:  In the spring of 2022, Franklin-Goode and her colleagues on theDiversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group for DCRI’s Technology and Data Solutions team, organized a 21-day Racial Equity Challenge. Inspired by similar initiatives in recent years, the challenge involves sending participants a short article, video or podcast on topics relating to inequality each weekday for three weeks. Once a week, virtual lunch-and-learn session provide participants with opportunities to discuss the topics covered in the materials, which included the school-to-prison pipeline, how discrimination is used against other demographic groups, and why it’s crucial to have diversity in clinical trials.

Drawing more than 100 DCRI colleagues for the first weekly meeting, and with roughly 50 colleagues – many from outside her department – completing the entire challenge, Franklin-Goode said the effort was a complete success. DCRI leaders and principal investigators participated in the discussions, which Franklin-Goode said is a reminder of the close-knit, encouraging atmosphere she cherishes about her part of Duke.

“It’s a workplace, but it’s also like a family,” Franklin-Goode said. “We support each other.”

Brenda Franklin-Goode's passion for football, and the Green Bay Packers, runs deep. Photo courtesy of Brenda Franklin-Goode.

Something people may not know about her: Franklin-Goode is a passionate football fan, tracing her love of the game back to Sundays spent watching games on television with her uncles.

The professional team that’s closest to her heart is the Green Bay Packers.

The connection came through William Henderson, an old college friend of Franklin-Goode and her husband, Stephon. Henderson was a Packers running back for 12 seasons, winning a Super Bowl and earning a spot in the Packers’ Hall of Fame.

Franklin-Goode got to enjoy the ride, even watching several games in-person at Lambeau Field.

“If it’s Sunday, you’ll probably find me with my Green Bay jersey on,” Franklin-Goode said.

Is there a colleague at Duke who has an intriguing job or goes above and beyond to make a difference? Nominate that person for Blue Devil of the Week.