In the fourth episode of Unifying Research, I sit down with an executive director of an HRPP at a leading academic medical center and research institution to discuss the difference between a Human Research Protection Program and an IRB. I also talk with a research participant who, after participating in several studies, has spent her career inside the research industry working to improve things based on her own experiences.

My research expert guest is Adam McClintock, the Executive Director of HRPP at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Adam has over two decades of experience in the research industry and shares some much needed guidance on the differences between an HRPP and an IRB. He explains the importance and encourages the industry to think about how we can start measuring effectiveness of our HRPPs.

My research participant guest is Christine Melton-Lopez. Christine is a research expert herself, but before that, she participated in multiple research studies. She shares the good, the bad, and the ugly of her experiences participating in different studies through college and beyond. Her stories help illuminate that while research isn't perfect, it's still a very hopeful and meaningful endeavor. Christine shares some wonderful questions to ask when you're considering participating in a study.

Additional resources:

• Connect with Adam McClintock on LinkedIn
• Connect with Christine Melton-Lopez on LinkedIn
• Learn more about the UAB Research Program
• Learn more about the AEREO program
  
  
• 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
• The Patient View
• AAHRPP

In the latest episode, I speak with a research expert on the administrative side of running a program at a Cancer Clinical Trials Office. I also speak with a caregiver of someone in a research study.

My research expert guest is Michelle Marcum, the Senior Director of Clinical Trials at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Michelle discusses what it looks like to run a clinical trials program in an academic medical center and cancer center. She also shares how her program is managed through the lens of a mission-driven patient-first model.

My patient guest this episode is unique. I speak with Brian Blackmon, a caregiver for a research participant. Better understanding the role of a caregiver in a research participant's experience is so important, yet there aren't many of these conversations taking place. Brian does a great job of explaining the challenges and opportunities for improvement for this vital role.

Additional resources:

• Connect with Michelle Marcum on LinkedIn
• Connect with Brian Blackmon on LinkedIn
• Learn more about the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Clinical Trials
• The Caregiver Action - a resource for caregivers of research participants
• 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
• The Patient View
• AAHRPP

In season two, episode two of Unifying Research, I had the pleasure of sitting down with a research compliance expert and a wonderful patient willing to share her personal story.

Our research expert this episode is Kate Cohen, a lawyer by training and Chief Compliance Officer at SIU Medicine. With a strong background in research compliance and human subjects protection, Kate helps us break down the silos between compliance, privacy and the role of the IRB.

Our patient guest this episode is Stephanie Gabriel. Stephanie shares her incredible journey dealing with PMDD, a misunderstood and often misdiagnosed disorder. Struggling from an early age, Stephanie never stopped looking for answers, which led to a research opportunity that ultimately changed the course of her life.

Additional resources:

• Connect with Kate Cohen on LinkedIn
• The Seven Elements of Compliance Program
• Learn more about HIPAA and Research
• 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
• The Patient View
• AAHRPP