The Journey is the Reward
For Nadine De Leon, budgeting, backpacking go hand in hand
Nadine De Leon was standing just five feet from a bear cub when the terror set in.
“If there’s a baby, the mom must be nearby,” De Leon recalled.
That moment of realization occurred while standing on a hiking trail in Grand Teton National Park, part of a recent road trip through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
“I’ve visited 35 U.S. states in under two years, and every trip has had its share of adventure,” says De Leon, a financial coordinator at the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute.
At NUCATS, her work ensures that research teams have the resources and financial structure they need to conduct impactful studies without financial bottlenecks.
“It’s all about bridging the gap between science and funding so that groundbreaking research can move forward,” she says. “One of the highlights is successfully negotiating complex budgets that initially seem impossible to align. Another is collaborating with various study teams and building connections.”
Beyond building clinical trial budgets that must weigh study team needs and sponsor expectations, De Leon also engages in maintenance work to ensure that all financial aspects of studies run smoothly.
I live with my wonderful husband, Sam, who is not only my biggest supporter and best friend but also my absolute favorite person in the world. We’re also joined by our Bordoodle, Kai, a goofy, lovable 'big baby' who makes sure life is always interesting.”
“I find it exciting to be able to contribute to clinical trials in such a meaningful way and to get a chance to see what happens behind the scenes before FDA approval. I also love continuously learning,” she says.
Having grown up about an hour outside of Frankfurt, Germany, De Leon’s first professional role was as a business administrator with a local bakery chain. And, yes, enjoying the baked goods was one of the perks of the job.
“I was based in the main office, which handled operations for their about 25 stores. Our office was on the second floor, and right below us was one of the bakeries,” she recalls. “Every day, my colleagues and I sampled whatever was fresh. It was so good. That’s also where I started drinking coffee.”
Today, De Leon considers coffee one of her three loves — alongside husband, Sam, and Bordoodle, Kai, a goofy, lovable “big baby” who makes life interesting.
In December 2021, De Leon moved to Chicago for the first time as an au pair caring for 3-year-old twins. After going back to Germany for eight months, she returned to the U.S. in May 2024, marrying Sam in August.
“Chicago offers the perfect blend of vibrant city life, incredible food, and amazing people — there’s truly nothing like summer evenings by the lake,” says De Leon. “I enjoy discovering new coffee shops and restaurants, as well as embracing the more touristy side of the city, like kayaking on the river (while trying my best not to collide with a boat). Chicago’s energy never fades, and I love that about it.”
When not exploring the city (or country) De Leon says the dance floor is her happy place, especially when performing bachata or salsa.
“It’s the perfect mix of freedom, connection, and pure joy — and I even managed to dance both these dances in my wedding dress, which was quite the challenge. My husband, Sam, was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up with salsa and bachata, and when we started dating, he pulled me into the dance community. Since then, I’ve made many amazing friends and go to social dance nights as often as I can.”
Since starting her role at NUCATS in February, De Leon has become a reliable member of the Center for Clinical Research Finance Team. The one thing she’d like more people to know about her work:
“Building budgets is not just about crunching numbers — it’s about understanding the needs of the study team, anticipating challenges, and finding creative solutions that make research financially feasible,” she says.
“The past few years have been a journey full of personal and professional growth, and I feel incredibly fortunate for everything that has come together.”
Written by Roger Anderson
