Clinical expertise has a clearly defined role and purpose in clinical research from randomizing treatments to managing adverse events to monitoring the overall health of participants. However, scientific expertise seems to be expected only from those who design studies, analyze final datasets, and manage the investigational products in question. This increases a sense of separation between sponsors and sites that results in clinical trial operations being considered mostly in terms of financial transactions. At the site level, a similar divide in research staff often occurs as the study coordinators understand the study mechanics and the medical clinicians understand the disease, often causing friction in operations and staff turnover. By developing a novel clinical research model, our team has addressed these gaps and witnessed improvements in staff recruitment and retention as well as decreases in detrimental protocol deviations. This model includes a clear career development pathway for clinical research professionals.

CEU: 1.00 ACRP

Speaker:

• Lacey Andrews, MS, CCRC, CCRA, Lead Clinical Research Coordinator, Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Health

• Todd Davies, PhD, Associate Director of Research, Marshall Health

The clinical research industry offers a variety of career pathways, yet many site-based professionals struggle to transition to roles within contract research organizations or sponsor settings. This session will outline the skills, experiences, and strategic positioning needed to make that leap successfully. Drawing from real-world examples, panel insights, and current hiring trends, we’ll explore how site-based coordinators, managers, and research staff can translate their operational expertise into qualifications for project management, clinical research associate, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and other sponsor-side roles. Attendees will leave with a roadmap, tools for self-assessment, and strategies to proactively align their current responsibilities with future goals.

CEU: 1.00 ACRP

Speaker:

• Tamika Harris, Clinical Operations Manager - Regulatory, Merck

• Jessica Propps, ACRP-CP, Clinical Operations Manager - Regulatory, Merck

This interactive presentation guides participants through applying proven project management principles across all scales of work, from organizational initiatives to everyday task management. Attendees will learn to leverage essential project management tools including strategic planning frameworks, effective scheduling techniques, Gantt chart creation and interpretation, and dependency mapping to optimize workflow and productivity. Through practical examples and hands-on exercises, participants will discover how to break down complex projects into manageable components, identify critical path dependencies, and create realistic timelines that account for resource constraints and competing priorities. The session will demonstrate how the same methodologies that drive successful large-scale initiatives can transform daily task management, reducing stress and increasing efficiency.

CEU: 1.00 ACRP

Speaker:

• Leslie Pimentel-Byatt, MSML, MBA, CCRC, PMP, Director, Clinical Trials Operations, University of New Mexico Hospital

Connect with your colleagues and 50+ leading-edge organizations and suppliers helping you get better results in clinical research.

Relax and unwind with a beverage and light hors d'oeuvres in the Expo Hall.

Celebrate 50 years of excellence with the people who’ve shaped our journey—and those who will lead its future.