From Clinical Research to Medical School: Three O’Neal Cancer Center CRCs Take the Next Step in Their Journey
The UAB O’Neal Cancer Center has long served as a training ground for the next generation of health care professionals and physician-scientists. Three Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) who have contributed to cancer research and patient care at O’Neal Cancer Center will begin the next chapter of their medical careers.
Jordan Fluker, Ginette Bordcoch De Martino, and Osarumen “Rume” Egiebor have each played important roles supporting clinical research efforts at the Cancer Center while gaining invaluable experience working alongside physicians, researchers, and patients. Their acceptance into their respective medical schools and residency reflects years of hard work, dedication, and a passion for improving patients’ lives.
From research to the bedside
Jordan Fluker joined the O’Neal Cancer Center after earning a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Auburn University and continuing to earn a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from UAB. During his time as a CRC, he gained firsthand exposure to clinical research and multidisciplinary cancer care, experiences that helped solidify his desire to pursue a career in medicine. Fluker has been accepted into the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Rural Medicine Program.The Rural Medicine Program exists specifically to train physicians to serve the communities that need them most: rural and small-town Alabama.
Osarumen Egiebor, known to colleagues as “Rume,” received a Master of Science in Medical Clinical Sciences from the University of South Florida and served as a CRC with the leukemia team at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center, where he became a valued member of the group. Through his work supporting patients participating in clinical trials and helping advance leukemia research, he developed a deeper understanding of the critical role physicians play in delivering compassionate, evidence-based care. This fall, Egiebor will begin medical school at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, an institution affiliated with Rice University and Idaho State University.
Ginette Bordcoch De Martino, M.D., Clinical Research Coordinator II at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center, is currently a resident physician at the Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine Residency – Highlands in Birmingham, AL. She completed her medical degree at the Universidad Católica de Córdoba Bordcoch in Argentina and worked with the Gynecologic Oncology team at UAB Highlands, where she supported clinical research efforts and patient-focused studies. Her experience working closely with patients and clinical teams provided a unique perspective on the impact of research and innovation in cancer treatment.
“We are incredibly proud of Jordan, Ginette, and Rume as they take this exciting next step toward becoming licensed physicians,” said Rebecca Arend, M.D., Professor in the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Associate Director for Clinical Research at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center. “Clinical research, patient care, and mentorship experiences help shape future physicians and scientists while strengthening the pipeline of talented individuals committed to advancing cancer care and research.”
Learn more about gap year opportunities at O’Neal Cancer Center
For students considering a gap year before medical school, the O’Neal Cancer Center offers an environment where learning extends far beyond the classroom. Coordinators become integral members of research teams, helping bring innovative treatments and clinical trials to patients while building meaningful relationships with mentors and healthcare professionals. The experience provides a deeper understanding of medicine, research, and patient advocacy, helping future physicians enter medical school with confidence and perspective.
Students interested in learning more about Clinical Research Coordinator and other opportunities at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center can visit the UAB Careers website at UAB Careers and search for O’Neal Cancer Center positions within the UAB Staff Careers section. Current opportunities frequently include clinical research, data coordination, regulatory, and quality management roles that provide outstanding preparation for careers in medicine and healthcare. The O’Neal Cancer Center is Alabama’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and offers unparalleled exposure to clinical trials and cancer research.