When you arrive in Orlando, make your way to the registration desk (Convention Level) to receive your conference badge and essential materials, ensuring you're fully equipped for ACRP 2026.
If you have questions or need assistance throughout the conference, the registration desk is where you’ll find the answers you seek.
Start your day in the Expo Hall with a delicious breakfast and engaging conversations—connect with 50+ innovative organizations driving better results in clinical research.
Signature Series Session
Clinical research is a dynamic field shaped by the people who plan, conduct, and oversee it at every career stage. This engaging panel brings together diverse voices—from early-career professionals to seasoned leaders—to share their career journeys, the leadership skills that fueled their growth, and the pivotal moments that defined their paths.
Panelists will offer insights on:
How they entered and advanced within clinical research
The leadership competencies that made the greatest impact
Lessons learned and practical advice for others shaping their careers
What keeps them motivated and passionate in an evolving field
Whether you’re just starting out or guiding the next generation, this conversation will highlight the resilience, leadership, and sense of purpose that drive long-term success. You’ll walk away with fresh perspectives, actionable guidance, and renewed inspiration to chart their own path, make meaningful contributions, and thrive in a field that is constantly evolving.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers coming soon!
Perk up with a shot of caffeine and a splash of conversation—don’t miss this 15-minute recharge in the Expo Hall!
The Careers in Clinical Research (C-CLEAR) Program is an eight-week immersive summer experience designed to introduce undergraduate students to careers in oncology clinical trials. Hosted by the University of Kansas Cancer Center's Clinical Trials Office, the program provides hands-on exposure to core research functions including informed consent, protocol navigation, adverse event reporting, regulatory documentation, and data entry. Students complete Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training and gain real-world experience through shadowing across multiple departments, including time with oncologists in the Phase One Clinic. The program also emphasizes professional development through mentorship, résumé building, and final presentations to research staff. This session will present a practical and replicable model for building early-career pathways into clinical research. Attendees will receive tools, strategies, and lessons learned to support workforce training and sustainable pipeline development in academic research settings.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Joseph Hines II, MPH, Executive Director, Research Operations-Clinical Trial Office, University of Kansas Cancer Center
In response to growing pressures from federal sponsors to demonstrate efficient research oversight, the Penn State College of Medicine undertook a strategic reorganization of clinical research monitoring and auditing services. This effort involved centralizing monitors from multiple units and realigning an auditor into our human research quality assurance office. A scalable chargeback model was developed to support this new structure, financial stewardship, and risk-based workload allocation. Attendees will learn how institutions can transition from siloed, grant-dependent quality functions to a centralized model that is both cost-recoverable and operationally sustainable. They will learn how to evaluate capacity, align oversight with risk profiles, and design a flexible fee structure based on study complexity and enrollment. The session explores how the reorganization positions the institution to adapt to the evolving expectations around indirect costs. This presentation provides a practical roadmap for modernizing research oversight by enhancing sustainability, or maximizing value from existing resources.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Kevin Gardner, Jr., MS, BSN, RN, CCRC, Director, Clinical Trials Office, Penn State College of Medicine
Are you preparing for ACRP Certification? Join this engaging panel session led by ACRP’s Certification Director and facilitated by ACRP’s Certification Manager. You’ll hear firsthand from three clinical research professionals—including an ACRP Board Member, a dedicated ACRP volunteer, and an active ACRP Member—who have successfully earned their ACRP Certification. Panelists will share their unique certification journeys, offering insights into how they navigated the application process—from submission to eligibility approval. They’ll discuss the timeline, what to expect during the review, and how they prepared for the exam. Attendees will also learn about different testing modalities and hear practical advice, study strategies, and tips for success directly from those who’ve been through it. Note: This session will not cover exam content.
This session does not provide ACRP Contact Hours.
Speakers coming soon!
The emergence of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) has reshaped the way we approach execution of clinical trials requiring few or no face-to-face touchpoints with patients. A successful DCT requires a different operational infrastructure, different technology, and different personnel from a traditional clinical trial. This session offers a practical, end-to-end toolbox for designing and operationalizing DCTs. Attendees will learn actionable strategies for protocol design that allow remote workflows and patient-centric recruitment. We will discuss common pain points that contribute to attrition in DCTs and strategies for prevention. The session will review approaches for building and leading remote teams and for leveraging technology to improve efficiency of remote work. Finally, we will discuss the role of the principal investigator, research coordinator, and data manager as they are deployed in a decentralized fashion. This talk is for those interested in launching DCTs and for those running DCTs who want to expand their capabilities.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Megan Lamberti, Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, Nilo Medical Consulting Group
The field of oncology clinical trials is dynamic and intricate, with continuous evolution introducing new challenges for research sites. This panel discussion features seasoned representatives from highly active research sites sharing their innovative strategies for navigating this evolving landscape. While universal solutions are elusive, each site employs a unique blend of technology and human expertise to achieve its research objectives.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Meghan Degele, Sr. Director, Tempus AI
Tiffany Kirkpatrick, PharmD, ACRP-CP, Cancer Research Quality Program Manager and Research Pharmacist, Avera Cancer Institute
Ashley Servais, Director of Clinical Research, Nebraska Cancer Specialists
Alexis Wilson, Research Clinical Operations Coordinator, MemorialCare
The clinical research enterprise often attracts the kind of perfectionists who feel crushed when they make mistakes. They take failure personally, and, in an industry where every "i" and "t" are quality checked, their shortcomings are always noticed. But, what if we could build a clinical research team that promotes inclusion, learning, expression, and contribution--a team whose members no longer wake up in the night wondering if they forgot a signature during the monitoring visit? This session will promote the values of psychological safety in the workplace, and empower listeners to identify psychological safety principles and the impact on teams that lack them. Participants will be guided through real-life monitoring scenarios, learn what went right or wrong, and practice applying the four stages of psychological safety.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Amanda Egan, CCRP, Clinical Research Associate, Merck
Carli Lettrich, Senior Clinical Research Associate, Merck
Kyle Niquette, CCRA, Clinical Research Associate Manager, Merck
Turnover among clinical research professionals increases trial costs, delays timelines, and compromises data quality. Across sponsors, contract research organizations, health systems, and academic sites, workforce instability puts studies—and outcomes—at risk. This session shares a case study from the healthcare sector, where investing in psychological safety through expert-led group coaching led to a 20-point drop in annual turnover and $32 million in annual savings—while improving team performance and engagement. Psychological safety—the belief that team members can speak up and take risks without fear—is a proven driver of retention, operational efficiency, and proactive problem-solving. Group coaching embeds this mindset into team culture, enabling trust, reducing errors, and supporting sustainable performance. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to apply this low-lift, high-impact approach to onboarding, leadership development, and daily operations.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Francie Jain, Founder & CEO, Terawatt, Inc.
Tommy Thomas, CEO, Opposite Strengths Licensing, LLC
Research teams are being asked to do more with less—especially when it comes to unfunded or underfunded studies. Whether it’s supporting investigator-initiated trials with no startup budget or absorbing hidden costs from sponsor studies, the financial strain is real. This session offers practical strategies for identifying and managing financial risk at the site level. We’ll walk through tools for feasibility screening, cost recovery, and portfolio-level decision-making. Attendees will leave with insights they can use to engage investigators and institutional leaders in honest conversations about what it really costs to “just get it done.”
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Shannon Chism, Consultant, Huron Consulting Group
Back by popular demand and reimagined for 2026, the ACRP Game Show returns with more energy, more surprises, and more chances to test your knowledge in this high-energy session. Teams of clinical research professionals will go head-to-head in a fast-paced trivia battle covering everything from ICH-GCP principles to eClinical technology, informed consent essentials, and more!
Audience members won’t just watch—they’ll play along, cheer on their peers, and maybe even walk away with bragging rights. Whether you're a seasoned expert or a curious newcomer, this session is your chance to learn, laugh, and celebrate the clinical research enterprise in a whole new way.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Elisa Cascade, MBA, FACRP, Chief Growth Officer, Head of Americas, TrialScreen
Technology rollouts in clinical research struggle when change isn’t managed effectively. This session explores how to lead successful transitions to site-based eClinical solutions like electronic investigator site files, electronic source, and participant engagement platforms. The session will highlight common pitfalls in site-level implementations and how to avoid them through proactive communication, pilot workflows, and leadership alignment. Designed for site leaders and operations professionals, the session focuses on practical, real-world strategies for overcoming resistance, fostering cross-functional buy-in, and building adoption plans that last beyond go-live. Attendees will walk away with a clear framework on how to engage stakeholders early, design training that sticks, and track meaningful adoption metrics.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Alicia Gearhart, Director of Professional Services, RealTime eClinical Solutions
Kristen Schoch, Marketing & Events Manager, RealTime eClinical Solutions
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections can be high-stakes events for clinical research sites, especially within large site networks. Yet, many sites and quality assurance (QA) teams only engage reactively, leading to inconsistent readiness and potential regulatory exposure. This session presents a proactive, collaborative model for ongoing alignment between site operations and the network’s QA function. Through real-world examples and practical tools, we’ll demonstrate how early QA involvement, open communication, and joint preparation foster a culture of continuous inspection readiness. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable strategies for collaborative mock audits, risk-based Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) plan implementation, and quality-focused training that empowers staff and mitigates FDA risk.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Margaret (Meg) Rood, VP, Operational Excellence, IMA Clinical Research
Andreja Vlajankov-Salaj, Sr. Director, Quality Assurance, IMA Clinical Research
Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical research, but without accounting for health literacy, it often fails to ensure true participant understanding. This session will explore how research professionals can bridge the gap between regulatory compliance and meaningful comprehension, particularly in sensitive fields like reproductive health. Drawing from real-world experience in Phase III trials, biorepository studies, and community health research, I will share practical strategies for improving the consent process using plain language, teach-back methods, and visual aids. We’ll also examine relevant ICH-GCP guidelines, including the requirement that consent information be presented “in a language understandable to the subject,” and discuss how these principles apply in daily research practice. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to support participant-centered communication and to elevate the informed consent process beyond a signature to a personal, nuanced, and regulatory-compliant conversation that leaves patients feeling empowered in their decision.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Gianna Gemignani, BS, ACRP-CP, Clinical Research Project Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (Department of OB/GYN)
An exclusive, invitation-only event honoring the 2026 Class of Fellows and offering a special opportunity to connect with peers.
Break for lunch and discuss what’s next—connect with your community, share your top takeaways with your peers, and discover solutions from 50+ trailblazing organizations throughout the Expo Hall.
Sites are overwhelmed by the increasing number and complexity of technology solutions required to execute clinical trials. This is exacerbated by the increasing number of solution providers selected. Currently, research sites are typically required to use sponsor-provided technology systems. The Decentralized Trials and Research Alliance's (DTRA's) "Bring Your Own Technology" initiative aims to enable clinical research sites to use their own validated technology systems in industry-sponsored clinical trials while maintaining regulatory compliance and sponsor oversight. The objective is to reduce operational inefficiencies, improve data quality, and enhance site and patient experiences. This session will share the work done by DTRA to date to define a process to enable adoption of site-preferred technology in registrational trials. Using eConsent as a model, key considerations and impact assessments conducted to identify opportunities and challenges from a multi-stakeholder perspective will be shared. The work continues in 2025-26, focusing on site-preferred eSource adoption by sponsors.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Joe Dustin, Founder and Principal, Dauntless eClinical Strategies
Rick Greenfield, BBA-IS, Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, RealTime eClinical Solutions
Brandon Maggio, Global Head of Digital Operations & Process Optimization, Glaxo Smith Kline
Jane Myles, Program Director, Decentralized Trials and Research Alliance
Training challenges persist throughout the clinical research enterprise. This session presents benchmark data and discusses practical solutions for partnerships between sponsors, contract research organizations, and sites to address site-based training shortcomings for the betterment of clinical trial conduct.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Jimmy Bechtel, Vice President, Site Engagement, SCRS
Study startup delays represent a critical barrier impairing efficiency in clinical research timelines and our ability to ultimately serve patients. Tackling each contributing factor in this issue should be an effort we all engage in. The Site-Sponsor Consortium—a unique collaboration of sponsors, contract research organizations, institutional sites, and commercial sites—will unveil its inaugural whitepaper, which details actionable strategies to simplify and harmonize Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement processes across the industry. Consortium members will discuss the operational and ethical imperatives for reform, the value of master and bilateral agreements, and the collaborative journey that led to consensus-driven solutions. Attendees will gain insight into the practical steps needed to reduce study startup timelines and foster a culture of shared responsibility, transparency, and innovation in clinical research.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Christine Senn, PhD, CCRC, CPI, FACRP, SVP, Site-Sponsor Innovation, Advarra
Clinical research can be made more trustworthy and accessible by engaging communities through unconditional, literacy-driven outreach. This session shares a model for engaging people where they are, not as future participants or workforce members, but as community members deserving of clarity, inclusion, and respect. Presenters will share examples of how they deliver plain-language education about clinical research, facilitate conversations around research mistrust, and equip communities with the tools to navigate research information and options. These efforts aren’t tied to active studies or enrollment; rather, they’re grounded in the belief that long-term public trust is built through repeated, agenda-free education. Attendees will walk away with replicable strategies for building community-facing literacy initiatives centered on equity, transparency, and relationship-building.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Addison Gumbert, Founder, Premier Clinical Marketing
Mitchell Hilbe, CEO / Co-Founder, DiversiTrials
The relationship between clinical research coordinators and monitors is at the heart of every trial. Too often, it is defined by miscommunication, mistrust, and turf wars, but clinical trials move too quickly and are too important to allow these avoidable barriers to persist. This interactive session, led by monitors who were once coordinators, flips the script. With a unique dual perspective of site and sponsor, the speakers explore how empathy, communication, and perspective-taking can transform this critical relationship from adversarial to collaborative. Attendees will gain heightened self-awareness and actionable strategies for their unique situations. When coordinators and monitors work in sync, clinical trials run smoothly. Let's rethink the status quo and co-create a culture of mutual respect and shared goals--because better relationships mean better research.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Jodie Addington, Senior Specialist, Clinical Research Monitoring, Edwards Lifesciences
Kelly Chan, BS, CCRA, Manager, Clinical Research Monitoring, Edwards Lifesciences
Misty Daniel, CCRC, CCRA, Senior Specialist, Clinical Research Monitoring, Edwards Lifesciences
Does working with your IRB feel like a roadblock? With the right strategies, you can develop a powerful partnership to ensure ethical, efficient, and compliant research.
In this session, participants will learn how to communicate with the IRB in ways that reduce delays, improve protocol clarity, and support ethical decision-making. Grounded in real-world IRB review practices, federal regulations (45 CFR 46), and institutional experience, we’ll explore what the IRB actually prioritizes in a protocol submission and how to deliver a clear and concise submission for review.
We’ll cover how to describe study activities in a way that aligns with regulatory criteria, write protocols with clarity around data handling, participant interactions, and multi-site coordination, and navigate pushback or differing IRB interpretations. Whether you’re managing a straightforward survey study or a complex, multi-site data integration project, this session will equip you with strategies to make your IRB submissions more efficient and effective.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Marianna Azar, Director, Human Research Protection Program, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene (New York State Psychiatric Institute)
Ivana Simic, Associate Director, UF IRBs, University of Florida
Take a breather and make meaningful connections—mingle with exhibitors and colleagues in the Expo Hall during this afternoon networking break.
What if the real obstacle to better recruitment isn’t your budget or your systems... but how you communicate? Too often, clinical teams overlook the role personality plays in how messages are delivered, received, and acted on in both internal departments and patient communications. And believe or not, they coorelate more than you think.
This session explores how internal misalignment in communication can spill over into patient-facing interactions, impacting trust and clarity (and ultimately recruitment & retention). Using personality test frameworks like DISC, MBTI, and others, we’ll explore our own communication preferences, categorize communication styles of others, and how to adjust your approach to build stronger connections. When applied to patient recruitment, strong communication builds greater trust with patients by showing an understanding of who they are, their priorities, and how they communicate. When patients feel understood, you earn their trust.
When communication flows, recruitment follows.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Addison Gumbert, Founder, Premier Clinical Marketing
This session will discuss the implementation a novel tool for Identifying IRB Review Level for Studies involving Secondary Use of Data/Specimens.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Leslie Bell, Regulatory Specialist, Medical University of South Carolina-South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR)
Related Blog Content:
Discover how prioritizing soft or aligned skills in hiring and training entry-level clinical research professionals can open sustainable pathways to success—and learn how to put skills-based hiring into action at your institution. We’ll briefly examine industry trends and the importance of a sustainable talent pipeline with the right skills. We will share our real-life experiences building a workforce development program, and provide tools for screening, hiring, and developing the desired soft skills. Participants will reflect on their own institutional needs and practices, and come away with actionable strategies to create inclusive, skills-based paths into the profession. By revisiting the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency model through the lens of your institution’s prioritized soft skills, you’ll assess alignment, identify gaps, and explore ways to refine expectations—ensuring your training goals and performance benchmarks are appropriate and personalized.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Kathleen OMalley, BSN, CCRP, Director of Education and Training, Jefferson Clinical Research Institute, Jefferson
Delays in clinical trial budgeting often result not from lack of effort, but from a lack of shared understanding across stakeholders. Sites, sponsors, and contract research organizations each have different processes and constraints that create friction in this critical startup process. This session presents findings from a cross-industry working group that explored the root causes of budgeting misalignment and developed practical, stakeholder-informed strategies to close the gap. The group’s work centers on three key domains—study startup operations, budget estimation, and budget justification—and shares insights from real-world experiences across the research ecosystem. The goal is to accelerate study startup by building mutual understanding, streamlining communication, and promoting efficient negotiation. Attendees will walk away with actionable tools that can be used to upskill staff, improve cross-functional collaboration, and support an improved approach to budgeting in clinical research.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speakers:
Candida Barlow, PhD, MSN, CRN-BC, RN, Director Clinical Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
Andrea Bastek, Ph.D., VP of Market Strategy, Florence Healthcare
Decentralized clinical trials are reshaping how research is conducted, offering new opportunities to expand access, improve participant accrual, and reduce the burden on limited organizational resources. This session will explore transformative approaches institutions can take to implement and manage decentralized trials effectively. Attendees will learn how to adopt flexible models that support research growth without requiring extensive staffing or infrastructure. The session will highlight practical strategies for integrating decentralized elements into existing workflows, including virtual visits, digital tools, and participant-centered processes. Real-world examples will show how organizations have successfully used decentralized models to reach underserved populations and streamline operations. Whether the organization is beginning to explore decentralized research or looking to scale existing efforts, this session will provide actionable insights to help align trial design with institutional goals. Attendees will discover how decentralized research can be a powerful tool for increasing efficiency, expanding reach, and supporting sustainable research operations.
CEU: 1.00 ACRP
Speaker:
Shreya Singh, Consulting Sr. Associate, Huron Consulting Group
