Preconference Workshops

Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Maximize your conference experience by registering to attend a half day preconference workshop prior to the main conference. Subject-matter experts will delve into project management, GCP 101, risk management, budgeting and more. 

The 2024 conference will offer 14 workshops on the following topics:

  • Preparing for the FDA Clinical Investigator Site Inspection
  • IRBs and the Informed Consent Process
  • Legal Issues Involving Researchers, Including Fraud and Misconduct
  • The Ins and Outs of Publishing and Presenting Research Results with Pizzazz
  • Clinical Research Administration, Budgeting, Contract Negotiation and Finance: A Site’s Perspective
  • GCP 101: A Workshop for the New Study Coordinator
  • Statistics in Clinical Research: Understanding Protocols and Statistical References
  • Device Research Regulatory Basics
  • Project Management & Process Standardization in Clinical Trials
  • Risk-Based Management - Principles and Practices for Successful Management of Clinical Research
  • SOP Development and Implementation
  • Investigator-Initiated Sponsored Research (IISR) 
  • Optimal Study Start-Up Through Protocol Assessment 
  • ClinicalTrials.gov Administration 

Preconference Workshop Overviews


ClinicalTrials.gov Administration

Are you involved in the registration, management, and results entry of studies in the Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS)?  Are you struggling with how to start and where to go for help?  The workshop will review PRS Administrator responsibilities, lessons learned from moving an existing program toward a positive direction, and provide guidance for managing trials, in addition to reviewing the registration and results entry process.  Best practices and helpful tips for both Administrators and users will be provided.  Attendees are invited to bring their own scenarios for group discussion and should leave the workshop with skills to successfully manage trials within ClinicalTrials.gov.

Presenters:

Cristina Ferrazzano Yaussy, MPH, CCRP, Research Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Stacey Arnold, PhD, 
Results Team Subject Matter Expert, ClinicalTrials.gov, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NIH)


Preparing for the FDA Clinical Investigator Site Inspection

This workshop will address Food and Drug Administration (FDA) perspectives and the regulations regarding adherence to protocol, records management, patient rights, drug / product management and record keeping, and regulatory issues related to an FDA audit. This workshop will educate the attendee in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements and FDA audit expectations, in order to aid in preparation for an FDA GCP audit. This interactive workshop will provide the following: A brief introduction to the FDA; Overview of clinical research, including the Federal Regulations covering clinical research and clinical investigator obligations; Discussion on Trial Site Roles and Responsibilities; Explanation of the FDA’s Bioresearch Monitoring Program, focusing on the Clinical Investigator inspection; Insight on understanding the FDA GCP inspection: Who is the FDA auditor? What makes FDA suspicious? Common FDA inspection findings at the clinical site audit; Specific examples of FDA-483 observations; FDA inspection strategy.

Presenter:

Erin Krohl, MPH, MS, BS, President, EHKrohl Consulting Inc.


Investigator-Initiated Sponsored Research (IISR)

Why conduct investigator-initiated research? This workshop will discuss the regulatory obligations of an IND/IDE sponsor-investigator. Dr. Arbit and Dr. Teeple will describe the resources needed to support and the risks associated with conducting investigator-initiated clinical trials. The participants will learn how to determine if a sponsor-investigator IND or IDE is needed. There will be ample opportunity for discussion and Q&A.

Presenters:

Harvey Arbit, PharmD, RAC, CCRP, President and CEO, Arbit Consulting, LLC
Wrenda Teeple, PharmD, Chief Clinical Officer and Director of Reg Affairs, Arbit Consulting LLC


IRBs and the Informed Consent Process

Initial and continuing ethical review by institutional review boards (IRBs), also referred to as independent ethics committees (IECs), and the informed consent process are the cornerstone for the protection of the human research subject. FDA regulations establish rules that clinical research professionals must follow during the clinical research process. The International Council on Harmonization (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Guideline is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for designing, conducting, recording, and reporting trials that involve the participation of human subjects. Dr. George D'Addamio will discuss the FDA’s regulatory requirements and the ICH GCP guideline’s standards for IRBs and current challenges facing IRBs. Laura Holtz and Jessica Rowe will discuss and explain the elements of a quality informed consent process under FDA regulations and ICH standards, and will also consider emerging challenges in obtaining informed consent. Lessons learned from experience and case studies will be presented for discussion.

Presenter:

George D'Addamio, PhD, BS, MS, President, PharmConsult Inc
Laura Holtz, MS, PMP, CCRP, Clinical Research Associate, Yale School of Medicine - YCCI 
Jessica Rowe, MA, MS, CIP, CCRP, Associate Director, HRPP/YCCI, RCQ, Yale School of Medicine


Legal Issues Involving Researchers, Including Fraud and Misconduct

Traditionally research has been the one area in medicine where, other than the regulatory process, there has been little interaction with the legal system. However, in recent years this has changed. Within the U.S. and internationally there has been an increase in civil and criminal actions against researchers. This session will provide an overview of recent problem areas, as well as insight on how to avoid them.

Presenters:

Melissa Markey, JD, CISSP, Attorney / Shareholder, Hall Render 

Carolina Wirth, JD, Counsel, Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, PC


Clinical Research Administration, Budgeting, Contract Negotiation and Finance: A Site’s Perspective

This session will discuss the elements of a clinical trial protocol, budgeting and contracting, and the impact of these elements on the conduct of a trial. The administrative and financial aspects of the trial will be covered with special emphasis on the study administration, effective budget development and management and contract negotiations. This session will be interactive with participation from attendees to include developing and negotiating the study budget.

Presenters:

Bryan Soronson, MPA, FACMPE, Retired Senior Administrator, University of Maryland Department of Neurology
Lisa Benson, BS, CRCP, President, Pediatric Clinical Research Consulting, LLC


GCP 101: A Workshop for the New Study Coordinator 

In an effort to enhance quality assurance at academic institutions, private practices or government-supported sites, SOCRA is offering a workshop for research personnel who are new to the field, or for those coordinators who want to refresh their understanding of GCP in the ever changing world of clinical research. This four-hour interactive workshop will include presentations, group discussion, and Q&A. The workshop will provide essential tools for coordinating and managing a research project. The material will range from understanding terminology to tackling a new project.

Presenter:

Tammy Neseth, MA, CIP, CCRP, Monitor

 

Optimal Study Start-Up Through Protocol Assessment

This workshop, for coordinators, research nurses, clinical research managers, and program managers - with more than 5 years of experience, will demonstrate how to dissect a protocol to determine protocol requirements and to illuminate protocol needs. Once the protocol has been thoroughly analyzed, we will demonstrate methods and tools that will prepare the site for clinical trial success. Discussions will pertain to necessary considerations prior to study start-up. Attendees should leave the workshop with skills to ideally organize their sites for continued success in clinical trials.

Presenter:

Janelle Allen, MS, BS, CCRP
Professional Consultant & Corporate Trainer, Faculty at Miami University


The Ins and Outs of Publishing and Presenting Research Results with Pizzazz

You (and your team) have worked hard.   You have completed important research and are ready to share your results!  But how can you share these facts in a clear and compelling manner?   How do you figure out where to publish your work? How should the abstract be prepared to communicate succinctly and clearly, and successfully be published? How should a poster be formatted to visually grab the attention and interest of the viewer yet accurately convey results?  And finally, how do you effectively and confidently present your research findings orally in an easy to understand confident manner at a seminar or similar forum?  This workshop will answer these questions and furnish you with the tools, examples, and facts needed to accomplish these goals in a fun hands-on workshop format.  Come learn with us!

Presenters:

John Petrich, MS, RPh, Director of Pharmacy, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Richard Sloane, MS 


Risk-Based Management: Principles and Practices for Successful Management of Clinical Research

This workshop will introduce basic risk management principles and provide attendees the opportunity to understand how to use these principles for the successful management of clinical research. Typical research scenarios will be discussed, and attendees are invited to bring their own scenarios for group discussion.

Presenter: 

Joanne Malia, BS, MS, MS, Director, Development Records Management, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals


Device Research Regulatory Basics

This engaging workshop is all about medical devices – we may talk a little about pharmaceuticals, but only when comparing differences. All interested in medical device research and regulations are welcome.

What we will cover:
• Medical device terminology
• Medical device regulations including device classification and regulatory submission
• Clinical investigations and the Investigational Device Exemption (IDE)
• Study monitoring for medical device
• Case Study Review


We hope you will join us for this interactive program.

Presenters:

Kathi Durdon, BA, MA, CCRP, Executive Director, Central New York Biotech Accelerator
Angie Rock, MBA, CCRP,
Director, Clinical Operations, BIOTRONIK, Inc


Project Management & Process Standardization in Clinical Trials

 In the last few years, it has become more and more important to use solid project management principles in clinical trials. Process standardization is also important to ensure that clinical trials are run in the most efficient way possible with as much consistency used across similar studies as possible. This workshop will introduce users to an overview of project management principles following PMI guidelines, as well as an overview of basic process standardization techniques (using six sigma methodology) that will be relevant in clinical trials. Situational examples will be provided where possible.

Presenter:

Radhika Sivaramakrishna, PhD, PMP, CSSBB , CCRP, Consultant, Senior VP, Clinical Operations and Compliance at Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative


SOP Development and Implementation

This workshop will discuss fundamental concepts and current issues in the development and implementation of an effective Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) program for clinical sites. Basic principles, as well as challenges, will be introduced through lecture, discussion and “hands-on” exercises. Critical information will be presented and discussed including investigational site best business practices, the necessity for SOPs, SOP development, prioritizing SOPs, and implementing SOPs at the investigational site. Techniques for writing effective SOPs will be discussed and participants will develop a relevant investigational site SOP. Additionally strategies for SOP approval processes, tracking SOPs, and development of a training program and continuous process improvement plan will be presented. 

Presenter:  

Abby Statler, PhD, MPH, MA, CCRP, Director, Research Quality and Safety, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Aryn Knight, BS, CCRP, Associate Vice President, Clinical Innovation and Research Institute, Memorial Hermann Health System
Alyssa K. Gateman, MPH, CCRP, Executive Director, Clinical Trials Office, Yale Cancer Center


Statistics in Clinical Research: Understanding Protocols and Statistical References

Do you skip over the statistical section of protocols? Does the thought of having to explain why certain analyses are going to be performed on your study make you wish you could crawl into a hole? If so, you are not alone. This very practical section is designed to be a low-stress, non-intimidating, entertaining, and fun (yes fun!) way to understand what the statistical terms in a protocol really mean. No equations and no math! This course is designed simply to understand the basic concepts. This session will aid participants in understanding statistical references used in various protocols, reviewing how statistics are used to determine clinical trial outcomes, and will discuss how what is entered (or not entered) on a CRF can change the outcome of a clinical trial.

Presenter:

Mark Krailo, PhD, Professor Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California

senter: Stacey Arnold, PhD, Results Team Subject Matter Expert, ICF/NIH