In honor of Rare Disease Day, we sat down with Tammy Black, Chief Communications Officer at the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF), to discuss primary immunodeficiency (PI): a rare, lifelong condition that affects thousands of people and is frequently misdiagnosed. Tammy shares how living with a chronic illness shapes daily life and why education, advocacy, and strong community support are essential for patients and families.

Building on our ongoing conversations about rare diseases and patient access, this episode highlights the power of awareness and connection in improving outcomes for those living with PI. Tune in to learn more about how you can get involved and support IDF, CTI’s Q1 Charity of the Quarter.

01:00 Tammy Black explains the Immune Deficiency Foundation’s mission and primary immunodeficiency.

03:35 Why many patients go decades without answers and don’t appear ill despite serious health risks.

05:40 She connects PI experiences to pandemic‑era lessons and highlights how millions live in constant protection mode.

06:30 Barriers to adult diagnosis, lack of immune health conversations, and how IDF’s assessment tool helps patients advocate for themselves.

08:50 How IDF reduces isolation through support groups, peer matching, walk events, and national conferences.

10:30 Patient handbooks, webinars, school and clinician toolkits, and resources for newly diagnosed families.

13:55 Policy priorities including vaccines, healthcare access, and coverage challenges for immunoglobulin therapy.

15:40 How IDF partners with researchers and regulators to advance gene research and expand newborn screening for severe immune disorders.

18:10 Ways listeners can support IDF through donations, fundraising, volunteering, and plasma donation.

20:10 Tammy shares details about IDF’s documentary debuting publicly on YouTube for Rare Disease Day (Feb 28).

In honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we sit down with Megan Kamm, Head of Global Clinical Project Management at CTI, and Dr. Amanda King, nurse practitioner, PhD, and clinical researcher in oncology and rare disease. Together, they explore their career paths, early scientific inspirations, the promise of personalized medicine, and how women are driving innovation across clinical research. Their conversation offers practical advice, powerful personal stories, and a look at breakthroughs shaping the future of health care.

01:12 — Megan’s Career Journey (Clinical Research → Global Leadership)
From research coordinator to leading CTI’s global clinical project managementfunction.

02:17 — Amanda’s Path (Clinician-Scientist in Oncology& Rare Disease)
A nurse practitioner and PhD with deep experience across pediatric critical care, oncology, and research.

03:07 — What Sparked Their Interest in ScienceEarly strengths in STEM, curiosity, and real-world exposure that shaped career direction.

04:53 — A Personal Story That Shaped a CareerAmanda shares how childhood experiences with cancer influenced her calling in healthcare and research.

05:49 — Turning Complex Science into Real-World TrialsMegan explains what it’s like to help move early concepts into tangible clinical studies with a path to patients.

07:12 — Why Rare Disease Research Hits DifferentAmanda describes the urgency—and reward—of trials where no standard of care exists.

07:38 — Where Innovation Is Headed: Personalized MedicineTargeted therapies, mutation-driven treatment decisions, and what that means for outcomes.

08:15 — The Promise of Cell & Gene TherapyHow technology is enabling potential one-time treatments and even cures—for previously untreatable diseases.

09:12 — Challenges Women Still Face in STEMBeing underestimated, navigating bias early in a career, and the role mentorship plays in resilience.

11:06 — Advice for Girls & Young Women Exploring STEMDefine success on your own terms, find the right environment, and learn what you truly value.

12:30 — Habits That Help: Mentorship + CuriosityShadow, ask questions, stay open to pivots, and keep learning as roles evolve.

14:12 — A Practical Takeaway: Don’t “Single-Track” Your SkillsetMegan on blending science with business skills to expand options and impact.

16:01 — Start Early: Intern, Shadow, ExploreAmanda’s recommendation to get real exposure early because STEM has more paths than most people realize.

In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, we speak with CTI Founder & CEO Tim Schroeder and Managing Director of Latin America Jaqueline Aguiar about the region’s scientific strength, evolving regulatory landscape, exceptional patient retention, and growing role in rare disease and advanced therapies. They share real‑world examples of record‑speed approvals, high‑quality data, and the cultural dynamics that make LATAM a uniquely powerful environment for clinical trials. A must‑listen for anyone involved in global development or curious about the future of research in emerging markets.

01:22 Why LATAM is a strategic hub: scientific capability, cost efficiency, patient diversity, centralized healthcare, and increasingly fast regulatory timelines.

03:32 Tim on LATAM’s standout strengths — exceptional data quality, major specialty centers, and cost‑effective trial execution.

05:15 CTI’s expansion in the region: driven by rare disease needs, global sponsor demand, and Jaclyn’s leadership building a resilient LATAM infrastructure.

08:04 How LATAM supported global studies during COVID‑19and the ongoing complexities of logistics, sample transport, and country‑specific operations.

10:11 Significant regulatory acceleration across Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile — including <60‑day approvals forcomplex studies.

14:20 The role of CTI’s passionate teams and strong site relationships; unique investigator engagement in São Paulo.

18:38 Ethics committees’ central role in patient safety and informed consent; LATAM’s readiness for decentralized and hybrid trials.

22:14 Emerging local pharma capabilities and cultural factors influencing trial participation, including trust‑based doctor‑patient relationships.

25:15 LATAM as a global talent hub; future accelerators include digital harmonization, technology adoption, and better global awareness of the region’s capabilities.