CTSI Hosts Events for Clinical Trials Week 2026

Innovation at the Edges: Real Impact and Opportunity in Rare Disease Research

This session brings together experts advancing rare disease research to share cutting‑edge insights from their ongoing translational studies. Their work illustrates how focused translational science can produce meaningful impact for small and underserved patient populations. Participants will learn about emerging opportunities to accelerate discovery and improve outcomes across rare conditions.

Moderated by Alessia Fornoni, MD, PhD

PANELISTS

• Byron Lam, MD
• Mustafa Tekin, MD
• Mario Saporta, MD, PhD
• Michael Benatar, MD, PhD
• Jaime Rafael Merchan, MD

Making Clinical Data Work: A Guide for Research Teams

This session is ideal for research teams planning new studies or preparing clinical data requests and will highlight how early collaboration with biostatistics, alongside data broker and informatics partners, can streamline workflows, improve study design and data quality, and strengthen the overall impact of research.

Moderated by Erin Kobetz, PhD, MPH

PANELISTS

• Winfred Wu, MD, MPH
• Shari Messinger, PhD
• Ishwar Ramsingh, MBA

NCRP Seminar and CRP Impact Award Luncheon

This session you will join your fellow Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) for an expanded, interactive discussion with your peers and subject matter experts. This is your opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, build connections within the NCRP community, navigate best practices, and learn how to support your career growth. Designed as a collaborative learning experience, this session celebrates the power of shared knowledge—and will conclude with the inaugural Clinical Research Impact Award ceremony. Lunch will be served.

Moderated by JoNell Efantis Potter, PhD, APRN

CTSI Resources Impact Panel: Investigator Success Stories + Resources Roundup

This session features investigators who will share how CTSI resources helped move their clinical research forward. Through brief success stories, panelists will highlight the value of support in recruitment, study design, data access, and overall execution. Attendees will discover actionable ways to engage CTSI services in their upcoming work.

Moderated by Carl Schulman, MD, PhD, MSPH

PANELISTS

• Barbara J. Coffey, MD, MS
• Dolores M. Perdomo, MSW, PhD
• Mariano Kanamori, PhD, MA

Participant Perspective Panel: Motivations, Barriers, and Lessons from Research Participants

Research participants in this session will share their motivations for joining research studies, the challenges they encountered, and the lessons learned along the way. Their firsthand accounts will shed light on the factors that influence trust, engagement, and sustained participation. Investigators and study teams will learn practical tips to create a study environment that keeps volunteers informed, respected, and committed.

Moderated by Denise Vidot, PhD