In the fifth and final part of this roundtable discussion, participants discuss the practice of designing technology with patients in mind and share their concluding thoughts on improving diversity in clinical trials.
In this roundtable discussion, industry experts gathered to address the state of achieving greater diversity in clinical research. The group highlighted a variety of topics including current challenges they are seeing, the use of technology, and more.
Moderated by Otis Johnson, PhD, MPA Co-Founder & Principal Consultant, Trial Equity, the panel featured key insights from Sophia McLeod, Sr. Director, Government Relations, ACRO; Erin Stern, PharmD, Research Support Pharmacist, Mayo Clinic; and Caitlin Brown, PharmD, Neurocritical Care and Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist, Mayo Clinic.
Brown highlighted the progress in women's representation, but also noted challenges with racial and ethnic groups due to historical mistrust, access, eligibility criteria, and language barriers. McLeod emphasized the importance of early diversity planning in protocol design and community engagement. Stern discussed the logistical challenges of decentralized trials and the need for better technology integration. The panel agreed on the necessity of consistent funding, community involvement, and ethical artificial intelligence use to enhance DE&I in clinical research.
Effect of AI/ML, Real World Evidence and Master Protocols on Trial Success
July 7th 2025How the application of artificial intelligence, broader use of real-world evidence, decentralized clinical trials, master protocols, and risk-based quality monitoring, together with strong ethical oversight and increased collaboration, are contributing to better healthcare delivery and strengthening the role of clinical research in driving global health progress.
Improving Relationships and Diversifying the Site Selection Process
April 17th 2025In this episode of the Applied Clinical Trials Podcast, Liz Beatty, co-founder and chief strategy officer, Inato, discusses a number of topics around site engagement including community-based sites, the role of technology in improving site/sponsor relationships, how increased operational costs are impacting the industry, and more.
Reaching Diverse Patient Populations With Personalized Treatment Methods
January 20th 2025Daejin Abidoye, head of solid tumors, oncology development, AbbVie, discusses a number of topics around diversity in clinical research including industry’s greatest challenges in reaching diverse patient populations, personalized treatment methods, recruitment strategies, and more.
Funding Cuts Threaten Diversity in Clinical Research
June 27th 2025In this video interview, Kyle McAllister, co-founder, CEO, Trially, discusses how recent federal funding cuts are likely to undermine research focused on underrepresented populations, and why long-term investment in community-based studies is essential to closing persistent health equity gaps.