Clinical Research Coordinators Leslie Gladney, Abby Lyons, Brigitte Kelly, Caroline Flournoy, Kathy Repich, and Katie Landes pose with UVA goodie bags during the May 25 CRC celebration.
In honor of Clinical Trials Day in May, UVA Radiology celebrated with some of our clinical research coordinators who are dedicated to supporting the department’s research mission. At the event, Vice Chair for Research Dr. James Stone noted how CRCs were vital to healthcare. Research lies at the heart of improving outcomes and ultimately saving more lives, Dr. Stone told the clinical research coordinators. “You make that research possible.”
But who are these professionals who keep clinical trials humming? We asked a few of our CRCs about their work, research, and life in Charlottesville. Join us in thanking them and all of our amazing clinical research coordinators who help advance available therapies to improve patients’ lives!
If you’re interested in “making research possible,” learn how to become one of UVA’s clinical research coordinators!
Caroline Flournoy
Who do you work with, and what do you work on?
I work for Christopher Kramer and other physician-investigators in Radiology and Cardiovascular Medicine. Our research in non-invasive cardiovascular imaging uses MRI, CT, and echo to visualize the heart and blood vessels. In addition to developing new diagnostic tools, we use cardiovascular imaging to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for heart disease.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Making a difference in the lives of study participants.
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
The CRC needs to understand the study protocol in detail, and must take the lead in their professional relationships. Effective CRCs bring resilience, intelligence, and strong interpersonal communication skills to their relationships with staff, external partners, and study subjects.
What’s your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
I love that the great outdoors is so accessible! There’s paddling on the Rivanna, great local walking trails, and the Appalachian Trail just a short drive away.
Brigitte Kelly
Who do you work with, and what do you work on?
I work in Interventional Radiology and my work focuses on various research projects ranging from investigator-initiated imaging studies, to industry-sponsored IDE (investigational devices), to post-market device safety studies – and everything in between!
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Interacting with patients — having the time to get to know them, really listen to them, and being a resource for them — is something that brings me great joy. Some research studies follow participants for long periods of time. You form a unique relationship when following a research participant for 5 years, often through many ups and downs. Without these wonderful, extraordinary research participants, we would not be able to advance science to improve currently available treatments. They are definitely the HEART of clinical research!
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
I have been sworn to secrecy.
What’s your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
I love ALL the (outdoor) things! There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t look at the mountains (foothills?) and remember how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful place. Oh – and the 4 Cs at Chaps Ice Cream – another fave! :>
Katie Landes
Who do you work with, and what do you work on?
I work with Brigitte Kelly in Interventional Radiology. I am currently working on studies specifically for liver disease and end stage renal failure.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I most enjoy meeting with patients and talking with them about important research. I also enjoy working with such a great IR team!
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
I don’t work on science research in a lab. Many people have that misconception. My job consists of making sure protocols are followed correctly and qualified subjects are consenting to research.
What’s your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
My favorite place to visit in Charlottesville is Bold Rock. I don’t just go for the cider (even though it’s amazing), but to sit by the creek and look at the mountain views.
Abby Lyons
Who do you work with, and what do you work on?
I work for Dr. Stone on a project called “Evaluation of the Bio-effects of Low-Level Blast Exposures using PET CT imaging” which is a study for active-duty service members and veterans. The study will be evaluating inflammation in the brain for people who have been exposed to blast events. I also oversee a pre-clinical study related to TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) and the “Brain Library” study. My co-workers are Leslie Gladney (CRC), Jose and Jamie (imaging), Holland, Kristine and Colleen (admin/finance) and Nick and Lauren (undergraduate research students).
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I like that my job requires me to use skills from many different areas, but I am also constantly learning new things and adding to those skill sets. I work with some really fun people who help keep the work environment positive and supportive.
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
There is more patient contact than you would think, and good people skills are just as important as technical skills.
What’s your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
I love that Charlottesville gets a lot of great music acts. I really enjoy going to shows and hearing live music. I also love all the natural beauty that surrounds our area and how easy it is to find amazing hikes.
Lena Marra
Who do you work with, and what do you work on?
I work for Dr. Lale Kostakoglu. We currently have two active studies one for prostate cancer and another for breast cancer.
I help with the IRB (Institutional Review Board) paperwork and data entry for these studies. I am a part-time coordinator, working from New York.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy seeing if these research studies help people with their cancer.
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
The dedication UVA has to bring research to patients.
What’s your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
I have only been in Charlottesville for two days for an SIV visit. It is a small quaint town that is beautiful; I loved it for the short time I was there.
Sara Prince
Who do you work with, and and what do you work on?
I work with Caryn Wolf and Avery Evans in Interventional Radiology.
IND, registry, database, full-board studies focusing on Phase iv, new-use, and best practice for clinical outcome studies for folks with aneurysm, stroke, SAH, regulatory including start up, close out and continual monitoring, subject visits, recruitment/screening
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Coming from a behavioral health/addictions and cardiology research background, it’s great learning about a new area of research.
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
How many different “bits” there are to it.
What’s your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
The people. Many who have turned out to be “lifelong” friends and connections.
Kathy Ripich
Who do you work with, and what do you work on?
I work in the Breast Imaging Division. Many of our studies are related to breast density as a breast cancer risk factor and research involving imaging modalities such as Fast Breast MRI and Contrast Enhanced Mammography. UVA Breast Imaging is currently participating in a large international trial supported by the National Cancer Institute called TMIST (Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial). We are also set to launch the Contrast-Enhanced Mammography Imaging Screening Trial (CMIST) in collaboration with The American College of Radiology (ACR), the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and GE Healthcare.
In Breast Imaging it truly takes cooperation from our entire division to coordinate research. I interact regularly with Technologists, front desk administrators and schedulers, image management, Radiologists and Radiology IT.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy interacting with potential research participants and being on the cutting edge of Breast Imaging research. Many past study participants reach out annually to inquire about participating in new research projects, again and again. I am personally within the demographic of the participants I recruit and enroll in studies. Therefore I can often relate to concerns, understand barriers and answer questions from experience.
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
My job has a substantial technology side and I encountered a steep learning curve when I began my Radiology research career. I continue to learn something new every day.
What’s your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
I live in Crozet and enjoy walking my dog with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views in the background!
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