About
About Clinical Research Center of Alabama
Clinical Research Center of Alabama has been conducting clinical research studies since 1998. Our center has conducted hundreds of clinical studies in adult and pediatric patients, and has contributed to the development of new therapies for asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hives, other skin conditions, hereditary angioedema (HAE), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Clinical Research Center of Alabama conducts Phase II, III, and IV clinical trials for both large and small pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organizations. Our research center has earned a reputation for excellence. Our physician investigators are Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. Dr. Weily Soong and Dr. John Anderson are on the teaching faculty at the University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB) and have published multiple research articles. All of our physician investigators have been certified in clinical research. Our dedicated clinical research staff is highly trained and experienced. Our center has six certified clinical research coordinators (CCRC). All coordinators and investigators have completed the CITI training program from the University of Miami, and our research staff includes a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, a registered respiratory therapist and other well trained professionals.
Clinical Research Experience
The Clinical Research Center of Alabama conducts Phase II, III, and IV clinical trials for both large and small pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organizations. Our research center has earned a reputation for excellence. Our center reaches and exceeds the expected recruitment and randomization goals with qualified compliant study patients. Due to rigorous and careful screening, our center has enjoyed high completion rates with minimal numbers of screen failures. We accurately document all study procedures, tests and events, maintaining complete and accurate source documents and timely completion of case report forms. The Clinical Research Center of Alabama is able to work with centralized Institutional Review Boards.
Our Team
Investigators
Weily Soong, MD
Medical Director
John Anderson, MD
Research Director
Maxcie Sikora, MD
Principal Investigator
Sunena Argo, MD
Investigator
Carolyn Comer, MD
Investigator
William Massey, MD
Investigator
Sub-Investigators
Patricia Luthin, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Blake Youngblood, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Michelle Payne, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Annie Ketcham, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Erin Cuzzort, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Monica Ray, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Becca Watkins, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Stephanie Edwards, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Esther Lange, CRNP
Sub-Investigator
Research Coordinator
J. Christopher Davis, MD, FACS
Sub-Investigator
Michael Sillers, MD
Sub-Investigator
Administration
Helen Combs
Administrator
Kim Aultman
Site Director
Kelli Phillipson, RN
Clinical Trial Revenue and Contract Administrator
Research Coordinators
Beth Hagerty, CCRC
Research Coordinator
Diane Paige, CCRC
Research Coordinator
Kendra Williams, LPN, CCRC
Research Coordinator
Kaylee Hale, CCRC
Research Coordinator
Kellie Steager, CCRC
Research Coordinator
Carla Honeycutt, CCRC
Research Coordinator
Research Assistants
Will O’Donnell
Recruitment Specialist
Maegan Walker
Research Assistant
Jhana Plump
Research Assistant
L.E. Laupus
Research Assistant
Chase Bower
Research Assistant
FAQs
Invisible
What is a clinical research study?
- A research study involving human volunteers is conducted to answer specific health questions.
- Carefully conducted clinical research studies are the safest and fastest way to find treatments that work in people and new ways to improve health.
- Research studies are conducted according to a plan called a protocol.
- A protocol describes what types of patients may enter the study; schedules of tests and procedures, drugs, dosages, and length of study, as well as outcomes that will be measured.
- Each person participating in the study must agree to follow the protocol.
Why are research studies conducted?
- To see if a new drug or device is safe and effective for people to use.
- To compare existing treatments to determine which is better.
- To study different ways to use standard (approved) treatments, so they will be more effective, easier to use, and/or decrease side effects.
- To learn how to best use the treatment in a different population, such as children, in whom the treatment was not previously tested.
How are participants protected?
- To protect the rights and welfare of clinical research participants, U.S. Federal Agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) & the National Institutes of Health (NIH) oversee much of the medical research in the U.S.
- Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) oversee the centers where clinical research studies are conducted.
- IRBs review and approve study protocols to ensure that a clinical trial is ethical and that volunteers’ rights are protected.
- A participant in a clinical trial has access to the IRB that is overseeing the research and access to a volunteer advocate, the physician and staff conducting the trial.
- Federal agencies inspect individuals and institutions conducting research. They also inspect IRBs.
- Some IRBs are accredited much like hospitals can be “accredited” and some research investigators and staff are “certified” as research professionals.
What are some of the possible benefits of my participation?
- Gain access to potentially new research treatments.
- Receive expert medical care for the condition being studied, since investigators are often specialists in the disease area being studied.
- Help others by contributing to medical research and treatment advances.
- Receive financial reimbursement for time and travel.
What are some of the possible risks of my participation?
- There may be unpleasant, serious, or even life-threatening side effects resulting from the treatment.
- The treatment may not be effective.
- Participation in the trial may be demanding and time consuming.
Affiliations & Accolades
The American Academy of Allergy, Ashthma, & Immunology
The American College of Allergy, Ashthma, & Immunology
The Association of Clinical Research Professionals
UAB Excellence in Business Top 25
Join Our Team
The following positions are currently open:
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR – view a description of the position and apply HERE.
