Derek Ansel, MS, LCGC
Vice President, Therapeutic Strategy Lead, Rare Disease
Derek Ansel, MS, LCGC, has worked in clinical research for more than 13 years with a focus almost exclusively on rare and pediatric diseases, including neurodevelopment disorders, non-malignant hematology, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, movement disorders, and other genetic conditions. At Worldwide, he leads and supports corporate initiatives within rare and pediatric diseases, including genetic disorders, and cultivates relationships with over 120 patient-focused advocacy organizations.
Ask Derek a question
Submit your questions or request a proposal below.
As part of his corporate initiatives within rare diseases, Derek builds relationships with patient advocacy and patient-friendly vendors that optimize trial recruitment. He educates the Worldwide Rare Disease team on specific rare diseases, including patterns of inheritance, diagnostic odyssey, and relevant clinical trial operational best practices. While he focuses on enrolling trials faster, Derek ensures that we leverage innovative strategies to reduce the time to diagnosis for patients with an undiagnosed rare disease. Derek’s efforts are largely centered on patient education and empowering patients to make decisions that best fulfill their lives. He often speaks at global conferences on the importance of providing adequate education to rare disease patients in clinical trial settings.
Derek is a board-certified and licensed genetic counselor. In his spare time, he provides genetic counseling to rare disease patients and frequently speaks about the intersection of clinical research, genetics, and genetic counseling. Derek holds a master’s degree in pharmacology and toxicology from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in genetic counseling from Bay Path University.
