Diego helps researchers find a way forward
With extensive experience in clinical and academic research, Diego Giunta aims to help researchers develop both their projects and their methodological expertise. As an advisor in Clinicum’s network, he supports researchers throughout the entire process, from the initial research question to analysis, interpretation and scientific publication.
Diego is a physician and specialist in internal medicine, with training in epidemiology, biostatistics and public health. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in academic and clinical research across a wide range of medical fields.
“I have mainly worked with observational studies, register-based research, pharmacoepidemiology and studies based on real-world data. In my role as an advisor, I can contribute at different stages of the research process, from developing research questions and study design to data management, statistical analysis, interpretation of results and scientific publication,” says Diego Giunta.
He also has experience in diagnostic and prognostic research, predictive modelling and calculating appropriate study and sample sizes.
“I am happy to support researchers at all stages of an observational study, from early planning to interpreting and communicating the results.”
At the same time, he emphasises that one of Clinicum’s key strengths is that its advisory services do not depend on the expertise of a single individual. The network brings together advisors with different and complementary areas of expertise within Clinicum community of practice:
“No one can be an expert in everything. If a project requires expertise outside my own field, we can help the researcher get in touch with colleagues in the Clinicum network who have the right methodological or subject-specific expertise.”
Sharing knowledge to strengthen research
For Diego, working as an advisor is also a natural part of academic life. He finds it particularly rewarding to work with early-career researchers and doctoral students. But the exchange of knowledge goes both ways.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of academic work is helping others develop their research ideas and skills. By sharing knowledge, experience and what we ourselves have learned along the way, we strengthen both individual researchers and the research community as a whole. Supporting early-career researchers and doctoral students also means that I continue to learn. New perspectives can lead to new ideas and new ways of approaching a question.”
An advisory meeting does not always need to result in a definitive answer. For Diego, a successful consultation is more about understanding the problem together and finding a way forward.
“The most rewarding consultations are those where we manage to clarify a problem together, identify a feasible way forward and, at the same time, help the researcher feel more confident in their own decisions. I particularly enjoy methodological discussions that not only solve the immediate challenge but also contribute to the researcher’s long-term understanding of research methodology.”
No need to have all the answers before your first meeting
For anyone interested in booking a consultation with Diego, it is helpful to think through the project’s most important questions beforehand. However, researchers do not need to come to the meeting with a fully developed plan.
“The best preparation is to spend a little time organising your thoughts and summarising the main questions or challenges you would like to discuss. If there are relevant documents or other materials, you are welcome to send them to me before the meeting. But curiosity, motivation, openness and a willingness to discuss ideas are usually the most important ingredients for a productive and constructive conversation.”