In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren speaks with Mary McGowan, President and CEO of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, about the importance of awareness, policy change, and patient-centered solutions in advancing health equity.

Mary shares insights on sarcoidosis, a complex and often misunderstood inflammatory disease that disproportionately impacts communities of color, especially Black women.

As they dive deep into conversation, they explore the importance of initiatives like Champions for Change, which encourage organizations to provide paid time off for clinical trial participation, and emphasize the need for collaboration across community groups, researchers, and industry leaders.

This episode is a reminder that meaningful change happens when we listen to communities, take action on what we hear, and keep patients at the center of every decision.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Raising Awareness: Understanding sarcoidosis and why awareness is critical, especially in underserved communities
• Beyond Trust: Recognizing that lack of awareness and not being asked are major barriers to clinical trial participation
• Policy in Action: How community feedback led to FMLA protections for clinical trial participants
• Breaking Barriers: Addressing real-life challenges like job security, finances, and access
• Power of Patient Voice: How listening to communities can drive nationwide change
• Collaboration Matters: Why partnerships between organizations, communities, and industry are essential
• Sustainable Change: The importance of ongoing education, advocacy, and awareness

About Mary

Mary McGowan is the President and CEO of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, the leading international organization dedicated to improving the lives of those living with sarcoidosis. She leads efforts to improve clinical trial access, advance shared decision-making, and accelerate drug development.

Through initiatives like the Ignore No More Campaign, the Coalition to Advance Clinical Trial Engagement, and the FSR Global Sarcoidosis Clinic Alliance, Ms. McGowan is recognized for her strategic and collaborative leadership in advancing impactful, scalable solutions for rare disease patients.

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We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

Access to healthcare, awareness, and trust in medical research remain ongoing challenges for many underserved communities.

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda speaks with Nicholas Jackson, founder of iHealth Network, about how culturally tailored media can bridge communication gaps and improve clinical research participation.

Nick shares how the loss of his mother and grandmother shaped his mission to advance health equity, emphasizing the importance of early detection, education, and access to resources.

The conversation also highlights a critical shift in perspective: the gap is not only about trust but also about awareness and access.

Together, they discuss how researchers and sponsors must engage communities with intention, show up consistently, and build relationships that go beyond short term projects.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Personal Inspiration: How Nicholas Jackson’s personal loss fueled his mission to improve health outcomes and close life expectancy gaps
• Awareness vs Trust: Understanding that lack of awareness and access can be just as significant as trust in limiting clinical trial participation
• Tailored Media Matters: Why culturally relevant messaging and representation are essential for building connection and engagement
• Community Engagement: The importance of showing up consistently and building relationships before making an ask
• Rethinking Outreach: Moving beyond one size fits all strategies to intentional, community centered communication
• Sustainable Impact: Why ongoing presence, even beyond funded projects, is key to maintaining trust

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We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

Research isn’t just happening in labs. It’s happening in your everyday life.

In this solo episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, I break down how research quietly shapes the products we use, the health choices we make, and the options available to our communities every day.

From health and beauty to food, fitness, and mental health, research has evolved to better reflect real people and real needs, especially in Black and Brown communities that have historically been excluded from these conversations.

This episode is about recognizing research as a tool, understanding how it already supports us, and staying curious enough to ask better questions.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by research or unsure how it applies to your life, this episode will shift the way you see it.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Research Beyond the Lab: From skincare and haircare to fitness tools and nutrition guidance.
• Representation Is Progress: More inclusive research has led to better options for textured hair, melanin-rich skin, and diverse bodies.
• Knowledge Creates Choice: Research gives us language to ask better questions and make informed decisions about our health.
• Mental Health Matters: Open conversations, tools, and resources around mental health are the result of research meeting real-life needs.
• Curiosity Over Perfection: Staying curious leads to better questions, better choices, and healthier communities.

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Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

History shapes the present and the future of research in Black communities.

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Ren speaks with Dr. Crystal Glover, applied social psychologist and associate professor at UC Irvine, about conducting research with dignity, relevance, and respect for historically underserved communities.

Dr. Glover discusses the resilience of Black communities, the importance of mentorship, and how inclusive research empowers communities, increases participation in clinical studies, and strengthens networks of Black scientists and healthcare providers.

This episode encourages listeners to stay curious, uplift the next generation, and ensure research reflects the full richness of lived experiences.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Reflecting on History: Understanding past injustices and their impact on trust in research
• Resilience and Thriving: Celebrating the strength and diversity of Black communities
• Mentorship Matters: The role of mentorship in shaping future scientists and healthcare providers
• Research With Dignity: Designing studies that honor community experiences and ensure cultural relevance
• Future Vision: Inspiring more Black scientists, healthcare providers, and participants to engage and create solutions through science

About Dr. Glover:

Dr. Crystal M. Glover is an applied social psychologist, mixed methodologist, and Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine.

She has designed and built a program of research focused on addressing challenges related to brain health and facilitating optimal outcomes in aging for all. She also serves as the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging (BSEA), the newest member in the Alzheimer’s Association family of scientific journals, and a board member of the Orange County Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

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Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

Trust and equity in research begin with acknowledging the lived experiences of communities.

In this solo episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, I speak honestly about fear, unrest, and lived experience and how they shape health equity and clinical research participation. I reflect on the current realities impacting Black and Brown communities and why research cannot be separated from what people are living through in real time.

I share why trust is built in moments like these, why silence is not neutral, and why ethical research must always center humanity.

This episode is an invitation to reflect on responsibility, hope, and how we can move research forward in ways that are inclusive, equitable, and deeply human.

Tune in to hear why centering humanity is essential to health equity and ethical research.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Fear as a Barrier: Fear in communities is a real social determinant of health that directly impacts healthcare access, research participation, and trust in systems.
• Trust Cannot Be Conditional: Trust is built when communities are seen, heard, and treated with dignity, and it is broken when efficiency or control outweighs humanity.
• Responsibility in Research: Silence or inaction during moments of community unrest communicates priorities; ethical leadership requires acknowledging and responding to these realities.
• Centering Humanity: Health equity cannot exist in a climate of fear. Research and healthcare must prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of the people they serve.
• Hope Through Action: Real change begins with individuals and communities acting intentionally, not just relying on policy or institutional shifts.

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Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

Health equity starts with inclusive research.

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren speaks with Dr. Camille Campbell, Biogen’s Lead for Health Equity and Clinical Innovation, about the critical work of making clinical research inclusive and representative. Dr. Campbell shares her experiences bridging the gap between pharmaceutical research and historically marginalized communities, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are and building trust.

She also dives into practical strategies for increasing diversity in clinical trials, including leveraging technology and engaging community sites.

Tune in for a compelling conversation on inclusion, trust, and the long-term work required to advance health equity in clinical research.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Assumptions vs. Reality: Simply having a trial site in a city does not guarantee participation from the target population; community satellite sites and protocol flexibility are key.
• Technology with Intention: Digital tools can expand reach, but strategies must consider generational and cultural differences in technology use.
• Representation Builds Trust: Seeing people with shared backgrounds in research and pharma strengthens community engagement and participation.
• Patient Empowerment: Communities should feel confident asking questions, seeking expert guidance, and making informed healthcare decisions.
• Persistence is Key: Change in health equity and clinical research is incremental, requiring ongoing effort and resilience.

About Dr. Campbell

Camille Campbell, PharmD, RPh is a healthcare leader with 18+ years’ experience in biopharma, health-tech, community engagement, and clinical care. She is Lead for Health Equity & Clinical Innovation at Biogen, previously serving as Senior Director of Health Equity at Acclinate and holding Medical Affairs roles at AstraZeneca and Abbvie.

Dr. Campbell champions workforce representation and inclusive research, creating programs for HBCU students and sharing expertise through presentations, publications, and podcasts. She earned her PharmD from Florida A&M University, completed a Post-Doctoral Medical Strategy Fellowship with Bristol-Myers Squibb/Rutgers, and holds a graduate certificate in Health Disparities Research from the University of Illinois Chicago. She is Principal Owner of Bella Peek Consulting, LLC.

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Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

In this inspiring episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren Jones is joined by Zachariah Martinez, the first young guest to ever appear on the podcast. Zachariah shares his personal experience participating in pediatric clinical studies and explains how getting involved not only benefited science but also improved his mood, routines, and overall well-being.

Dr. Ren and Zachariah discuss what it’s really like for kids inside clinical studies: the procedures, the compensation, the support from research staff, and the importance of feeling safe and heard. They highlight why pediatric participation is essential for advancing science and ensuring treatments are safe and effective for younger populations.

Zachariah also speaks directly to other kids who may be curious about research, offering encouragement, honesty about the process, and advice for researchers on how to better support young participants from all backgrounds.

🎧 Tune in for a rare conversation that elevates youth voices in research and reminds us why representation, from childhood onward, matters for the future of science.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Why Pediatric Research Matters: Children help answer critical scientific questions that can’t be solved through adult studies alone.
• Real Benefits of Participation: From compensation to personal growth, Zach shares how being in a study improved his routine and happiness.
• Safety & Comfort: The importance of kind, attentive research staff—especially when procedures involve needles or overnight stays.
• Representation from a Young Voice: Zach highlights why kids need to feel respected, listened to, and supported throughout the research process.
• Advice for Future Studies: Simple, powerful suggestions from a participant’s perspective on improving pediatric research experiences.

About Zachariah

Zachariah Martinez is a 13-year-old from Southern California who loves science, health, and helping others. At just 11 years old, he participated in the NIH-funded MoTrPAC study at UC Irvine.

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Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda Jones speaks with Tony Wafford, founder of I Choose Life Health Foundation, about the importance of culturally grounded approaches to health education and research.

Tony shares how his work blends social entrepreneurship and social justice. He uses creative strategies such as leveraging entertainment to increase HIV testing and research participation in Black communities as he emphasizes the need for Black voices and leadership in public health spaces, explaining that those who understand the culture are best positioned to guide solutions.

They dive deep into challenges navigating systems dominated by those outside of Black communities. He stresses the importance of standing firm in cultural identity and explains why collaboration between community leaders and institutional partners is essential to creating meaningful impact.

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on authenticity, cultural pride, and actionable strategies for advancing health equity.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Community-Centered Research: Understanding local health needs is key to expanding study opportunities in diverse populations.
• Beyond Standard Care: Clinical trials as an option for physicians to offer patients, complementing traditional treatments.
• Challenging the Status Quo: Advocating for flexibility and customization in site strategies and SOPs.
• Cultural Competence in Teams: Building staff who can communicate effectively and connect with the community.
• Word of Mouth Matters: Positive participant experiences drive recruitment and trust.
• Scaling Impact: Leveraging initiatives like Latinos in Clinical Research and Save Our Sites to educate, diversify, and connect the industry.

About Tony

Tony Wafford is the President and CEO of I Choose Life Health and Wellness Center (ICL), an organization dedicated to addressing health inequities in Black communities across the United States. With over 20 years of experience, Tony partners with community-based organizations to increase health literacy, expand access to healthcare services, and provide education and testing for HIV, STIs, and other health concerns.

He has been instrumental in designing culturally competent public health campaigns, and for the past ten years, he has collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative. Tony has successfully launched over 30 I Choose Life chapters nationwide, all focused on promoting the health and wellness of Black communities.

Through his work, Tony is passionate about empowering communities, advancing health equity, and creating programs that combine social entrepreneurship, cultural understanding, and practical action to improve public health outcomes.

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We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!