Women in Tech Tampa Bay: Tatyana Harris, CEO of PECRKO Research

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Embarc Collective is excited to introduce you to Women in Tech Tampa Bay — a content series profiling women who are building at Embarc Collective and how they’ve built their careers.

Meet more women tech founders and investors across the state of Florida here.

Meet Tatyana Harris, CEO of PECRKO Research.

What pivotal points in your career led to your current role?

I am a Clinical Researcher, IRB Administrator/Education Coordinator and an Adjunct Faculty. As I grew in my field, I learned the importance of research as well as why minorities are needed in the participation of pharmaceutical and medical research. When minorities do not participate in pharmaceutical and medical research, the medication and medical devices can have unknown side effects which cause medical issues. This causes more doctor visits and increases healthcare costs for all citizens. There is a large deficiency in the amount of minority research participants and the reasons may vary from trust in their medical provider to discrimination to access. — largely due to trust and education. Many minorities do not trust the federal government or their medical provider, nor do they understand research or research regulations. With my comprehension of this distrust and on the topic, I feel that it is my duty to present this information in a way that minorities can understand. Not only am I a Black-African American Clinical Researcher, but I am also a Veteran, and I understand the complexities in learning and participating in clinical research. This makes me uniquely understand the barriers in pharmaceutical and medical research and able to explain why pharmaceutical/medical research must facilitate trust. I created PECRKO Research to facilitate trust, teach, and connect. I want to have a platform that supports trust, explains research and research regulations in simple terms and then I want to take it a step further and connect minorities to local researchers.

What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?

When I fell into this career, I had many questions about research. I didn’t understand the importance of research nor how it helps in the development of medications, medical equipment, and therapies. I also had some stigma against research due to my distrust of the federal government and medical providers.

I wish I had a better understanding of the impact of research on the medications, therapies, and medical devices that we as a community utilize. Then I would have obtained more certifications and research education to support my community earlier in my career.

What communities, networks, or resources have helped you build in your career?

I am a veteran and utilized the many veteran entrepreneurial opportunities that Florida offers such as the STRIVE and Veterans Start-up. I have also utilized business start-up companies such as White and Black Consulting. In addition, I utilize the network opportunities available across USF, Task Force Communities, Erwin Tech, and through the Hillsborough Advisory Committee.

What is one piece of tactical advice that you would give to another woman considering your career path?

As a minority women business owner, I have a network of other business owners in a variety of businesses to offer me support. Having a network of individuals that are entrepreneurs at various phases in their entrepreneurial journey allowed me to have a team of experts that can help me in the different entrepreneurial phases. I would suggest that women seek out these entrepreneurs to support comprehension and team building. It can be a lonely road but with support, you know that you are not alone.

Connect with Tatyana and follow PECRKO Research.

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