Clinical Trials

“To promote therapeutic advancements through research, development, and education in order to improve the clinical care of surgical patients.”

The Surgical Therapeutic Advancement Center (STAC) at the University of Virginia (UVA) is an academic research center dedicated to the development of innovations in the field of surgery in order to improve the clinical care of patients. Our collaborators include some 30 UVA faculty members whose efforts are coordinated through one central office under the direction of Robin Kelly. 

Our clinical expertise in protocol development, implementation, execution, and publication extends throughout the surgical departments at the University of Virginia. Experience has been obtained in a wide variety of clinical trials (single and multi-center, including international) with many surgical specialties and related fields, including: general surgery, plastic surgery, breast surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical oncology, dermatology and radiology. The Center has particular strengths in the areas of cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, and vascular/endovascular surgery. STAC is experienced with Phase I, II, III, and IV studies, and conducts all research with adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and International Committee on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The Center boasts Certified Clinical Research Coordinators and trained support personnel dedicated to the efforts of clinical research.

STAC exists through the nurturing support of a large number of industrial collaborators as a result of unrestricted grant funding and specific contractual agreements. Proprietary interests of individual sponsors are carefully protected. Intellectual property developed at the University of Virginia may be patented through the University Patent’s Foundation.