In the seventh episode of Unifying Research, I sit down with a clinical research leader to discuss the psychology of decision making in our industry. Then, I had the privilege of speaking with a unique research participant – someone who has participated in over 15 studies and has over 15 years’ experience working in the research industry.

My research expert guest is Mitch Hible, the Founder and CEO of Diversitrials and Chief Strategy Officer at Clinical Research Pro. Mitch has two decades of experience in our industry and is a true entrepreneur at heart. As we discuss decision making in our industry, Mitch shares some great practical advice for all of us.

The patient-side guest for this episode is Jess Thompson. Jess has been participating in research studies since college, and her experiences in each study have helped shape her career path in the research industry.

Additional resources:

• Connect with Mitch Hilbe on LinkedIn
• Connect with Jess Thompson on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Diversitrials
• Learn more about Clinical Research Pro
• Learn more about the Clinical Research Justice League non-profit
• Connect with Univo to learn more about our mission and services
  
  
• Learn more about Univo's partners working together to bring the patient's voice to research:
• Clinical Trials For All
• Savvy Cooperative
• Inspire
• Children's Flight of Hope
• AAHRPP

In this patient-centered episode of Unifying Research, I sat down with Bryan Soronson, a research administrator and expert for over four decades. After being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, Bryan eventually found his way into a clinical trial.

Bryan shares his career, diagnosis journey and experience being in a trial, all with the grace and wisdom of someone who has spent their entire career improving the industry he ended up relying on.

From talking about taking accountability for your own health, to the importance of patient advocacy, this is an encouraging and enlightening conversation that I know you will enjoy.

Additional resources:

• Bryan is involved with all of these organizations through patient advocacy and coaching:
  • Visit Healthtree.org for more information about how to help those with blood cancer
  • Learn more about the International Myeloma Foundation, the first and largest global foundation focusing on multiple myeloma.
  • Check out the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the largest nonprofit focused on finding a cure for multiple myeloma.
  • Blood Cancer United, formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Learn more about Univo's partners working together to bring the patient's voice to research:
  • Clinical Trials For All
  • Savvy Cooperative
  • Inspire
  • Children's Flight of Hope
  • AAHRPP

In this special episode of Unifying Research, host Justin Osborne speaks with multiple attendees and the keynote speaker from the recent PRIM&R research conference to highlight the benefits of attending a conference in-person.

Most research professionals don’t or can’t attend conferences, whether it’s due to budget, time or just a lack of awareness. In this episode, we highlight the types of conversations and themes that come from attending conferences in person.

Justin also sat down after the conference with one of the keynote speakers, to highlight some of the themes and topics from his talk, while also covering larger issues facing our research industry as a whole.

Connect with all of our guests!

Jen Smith - Jennifer Smith, Ph.D. | LinkedIn

Mike Linke - Michael Linke | LinkedIn

Dawn Pittinger - Dawn N. L. Pittinger, DBA, MBA-HA, CHRC, CCP, CHC, CHA | LinkedIn

Jeremy Levine - Jeremy Lavigne | LinkedIn

Bruce Gordon - Bruce Gordon | LinkedIn

Geoff Schultz - Geoffrey Schultz | LinkedIn

Devan Vaughn - Devan Vaughn | LinkedIn

Josh Fessel - Josh Fessel, MD, PhD, ATSF | LinkedIn

Additional resources:

• Check out the "Research Ethics Reimagined" Podcast by PRIM&R
  
  
• Learn more about Univo's partners working together to bring the patient's voice to research:
  • Clinical Trials For All
  • Savvy Cooperative
  • Inspire
  • Children's Flight of Hope
  • AAHRPP

In the fourth episode of Unifying Research, I sit down with a clinical research coordinator to discuss what it means to be a research coordinator. The job of a coordinator is one of the most important in our industry, yet most people don't fully understand or appreciate everything on a coordinator's plate. Then, I had the privilege of speaking with the President of a non-profit that provides flights to children in need of care.

My research expert guest is Jen Powers, a research coordinator at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cincinnati. Jen has nearly 20 years of clinical care experience, with almost half of that being in a research coordinator role. Jen explains what a coordinator does as well as some of the major challenges of the role.

The patient-side guest for this episode is Pat Nelli, the President and CEO of Children's Flight of Hope, a non-profit providing flights to essential, life-changing, and life-saving medical care for children in need. The work they do is extraordinary and it's refreshing to hear such passion coming from the president of a company doing this kind of work.

Additional resources:

• "A Legacy of Care: Mother-Daughter Duo Making a Difference at UC Health" - an article about Jen Powers
• Connect with Pat Nelli on LinkedIn
• Check out Children's Flight of Hope website
• Connect with Univo to learn more about our mission and services
  
  
• Learn more about Univo's partners working together to bring the patient's voice to research:
  • Clinical Trials For All
  • Savvy Cooperative
  • Inspire
  • Children's Flight of Hope
  • AAHRPP

In the third episode of Unifying Research, I sit down with a research expert to discuss the current state of Women's Health in research. It's a growing area of interest across all communities, and an important conversation. Then, I had the privilege of speaking with a research participant who shares her incredible journey through cancer research and life-saving treatments.

My research expert guest is Yasmeen Long, a nationally recognized expert in biomedical research, health outcomes and patient advocacy. Yasmeen has managed research programs at Johns Hopkins, Mass General and Harvard, as well as being the former director of FasterCures with the Milken Institute. Yasmeen helps explain the scope of Women's Health in research and why this topic is so important.

The patient-side guest for this episode is Mary Elizabeth Williams. Mary Elizabeth is an award-winning journalist, storyteller, consultant, speaker, author of two books, and currently a doctoral student of Medical Humanities. Mary Elizabeth shares her amazing journey through life-saving treatments in an oncology clinical trial. She also shares some thought-provoking insights into the problematic areas of research, from a participant's perspective.

Additional resources:

• Connect with Yasmeen on Linkedin
• Yasmeen Long's article for Diplomatic Courier
• Learn more about Mary Elizabeth Williams
• Check out MEW's substack
• A Series of Catastrophes & Miracles - Book by Mary Elizabeth Williams
• Connect with Univo to learn more about our mission and services
  
  
• Learn more about Univo's partners working together to bring the patient's voice to research:
  • Clinical Trials For All
  • Savvy Cooperative
  • Inspire
  • Children's Flight of Hope
  • AAHRPP

In the second episode of Unifying Research, I sit down with a research expert to discuss our current workforce crisis in clinical research. It's a complex and very timely problem that deserves our attention. Then, I had the privilege of speaking with a research patient advocate, who explains what patient advocacy is and why it's so important.

My research expert guest is R'Kes Starling, an executive and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the field. Not only does R'Kes shine a light on the current state of the clinical research workforce crisis, he also shares his opinions, wisdom and advice for those looking to break into our industry and those looking for a change.

The patient-side guest for this episode is Ella Balasa. Ella was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 18 months old. She has used her personal healthcare experiences to drive change in patient empowerment, research, and healthcare strategies. Ella is inspiring and it was exciting to hear the important work she's helping to drive forward.

Additional resources:

• Connect with R'Kes Starling - (1) R'Kes Starling, RPh, MBA | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the work Ella Balasa is doing - Ella Balasa | Patient Advocate and Consultant
• Connect with Univo to learn more about our mission and services
  
  
• Learn more about Univo's partners working together to bring the patient's voice to research:
  • Clinical Trials For All
  • Savvy Cooperative
  • Inspire
  • Children's Flight of Hope
  • AAHRPP

In the first episode of Unifying Research, we discuss how evidence generation in research is evolving and what that means for the future of healthcare. Then, I have the privilege of speaking with a research participant to hear first-hand experience of someone who has been in a study for 15 years.

My research expert guest is Brad Hirsch, the founder of Highlander Health and a driving force in the movement to reimagine evidence generation in research.

The second conversation is with Mike Farrow, an incredibly brave and encouraging man, who shares his experience, opinions and wisdom with a vulnerability that will leave you feeling hopeful for the future.

Additional resources:

• Learn more about Dr. Brad Hirsch - Brad Hirsch, MD | Highlander Health
• Connect with Univo to learn more about our mission and services
• Learn more about Univo's partners working together to bring the patient's voice to research:
  • Clinical Trials For All
  • Savvy Cooperative
  • Inspire
  • AAHRPP