31 July 2025

Geneva Employee Spotlight: Mackenzie Ferguson

Behind every advancement in military medical research are individuals whose expertise and commitment drive real-world impact. At Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, Clinical Research Coordinator Mackenzie Ferguson plays a vital role in shaping the future of rehabilitation for service members recovering from traumatic brain injury. With a background in biomedical engineering and medical anthropology, and a deep passion for service, Mackenzie brings precision, empathy, and purpose to every aspect of her work.

A word from her supervisor, Kaleigh Presgraves:

“Mackenzie was our team’s very first hire, and she’s been setting the tone ever since. She’s deeply respected and genuinely beloved at Camp Lejeune, for her dedication, her kindness, and the way she connects so naturally with everyone around her. In addition to her incredible work with Geneva and as a military spouse, she specializes in biomedical science with a focus on medical anthropology. She also volunteers as a firefighter!

Her drive, humility, and heart are a constant source of inspiration. Mackenzie truly embodies everything we stand for.”

Describe your role with Geneva and your impact on the program you work on.

As a Clinical Research Coordinator based at a military treatment facility, I work to execute multi-site clinical trials aimed at enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for active-duty service members. Much of my work centers on traumatic brain injury (TBI) research, particularly in the acute recovery phase, where our efforts aim to optimize return-to-duty timelines, reduce persistent symptoms, and promote neuroplasticity through evidence-based interventions.

I coordinate all aspects of research operations at my site, including participant recruitment and retention, informed consent, scheduling, data and biospecimen collection, and regulatory compliance. I work closely with investigators, military collaborators, and clinical teams to ensure the smooth implementation of protocols while prioritizing participant safety, data integrity, and scientific rigor. I take pride in being a consistent and reliable point of contact for both research participants and study partners. My contributions help ensure that our work meets the highest standards and is positioned to inform future policy and clinical best practices in military medicine.

What recent work can you share that excites you most?

Recently, I’ve been especially excited by the increasing momentum of our rehabilitation-focused studies, particularly those involving assessments of both physical and cognitive recovery. We’ve seen strong participant engagement and promising trends in early outcomes, which reinforce the value of the work we’re doing. It’s incredibly motivating to be involved in research that empowers service members during their recovery process and may ultimately reshape how we approach return-to-duty protocols. Being part of that larger mission is deeply meaningful to me.

What projects, initiatives, or conferences are next for you?

I’m excited to be attending the Military Health System Research Symposium for the first time this year. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn from others across the field and see the full scope of innovation happening in military medicine. I’m looking forward to bringing those insights back to my team, and I’m even more excited about the possibility of returning in the future to showcase the projects we’re involved in. Most of our work is still relatively new, but we’re laying strong groundwork for long-term success. Camp Lejeune is a smaller research site, presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities; however, we’re actively working to expand our presence and increase enrollment. It’s rewarding to be part of that early building phase and to contribute to something that’s steadily growing.

What kind of technology are you currently working with?

I work closely with a variety of wearable biometric technologies that allow us to collect real-time physiological data in both clinical and field-based environments. These include heart rate monitors, motion sensors, and devices that assess autonomic function, visual tracking, and reaction time. The ability to capture dynamic performance metrics outside of traditional lab settings makes our research more reflective of real-world conditions and challenges. This sustains the development of scalable, field-deployable rehabilitation strategies. This kind of technology is vital in tailoring care to the real-world challenges faced by military service members.

Interested in contributing to Geneva’s mission like Mackenzie? Discover open positions or submit your resume for a future opportunity.