Clinical research is critical for getting promising new drugs and devices to patients, but its success depends on a workforce of dedicated professionals. Unfortunately, the field is severely understaffed. A 2023 analysis showed that for every experienced clinical research coordinator seeking work, there are seven jobs posted. For clinical research nurses, the ratio is 1:10, and for regulatory affairs professionals, 1:35.
The new Cancer Clinical Research Professionals (CCRP) program aims to tackle this workforce shortage by helping people of diverse backgrounds be aware of and equipped for job opportunities in biomedicine. The program, which welcomed its inaugural cohort of six interns in June 2024, is the product of a fruitful and growing partnership between the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC), the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement, and City Colleges of Chicago.
CCRP is organized as a yearlong program that promotes career awareness, specialized skills and employment in cancer clinical research through internships, academic and community engagement opportunities, and an optional apprenticeship. Participating students receive hands-on training and access to a professional mentorship network to complement their in-class learning. The training pathway is eye-opening for students who hadn’t previously considered clinical research careers and provides valuable opportunities for those who have an interest in the work but no previous experience in the field.
“Many of us who have made a career for ourselves in clinical research were unaware of available career opportunities when we were younger, so we’re committed to educating students about these roles and emphasizing the importance of participating in clinical trials to drive scientific and medical progress," said Lauren Wall, MSc, who had a major role in the conceptualization of this new program as Senior Director of the UCCCC Clinical Trials Support Office (CTSO).
Another important aim of the program is to create a more diverse clinical research workforce. The partnership with City Colleges of Chicago, which serves students from diverse cultures and backgrounds, ensures the program engages underrepresented minorities. Clinical research professionals that reflect the patient population they serve can help increase diversity in clinical trials. Also, the program prepares these up-and-coming research professionals to recognize and address health disparities present in their own communities.
"I have always considered myself to be a bridge for my community, particularly bridging the language gap by being an interpreter and also doing community work and outreach, but I think the biggest thing that this program allowed me to see was health disparities,” said Eric Espinosa, who is completing a pre-medicine post-baccalaureate program at Malcolm X College. “I think everyone that we have met has touched upon diversity, equity and inclusion or health disparities and the social determinants of health and how that's affecting people's access to healthcare. I think by doing research and being able to address representation of minorities, I feel like it'll help us go a long way with treatments [and] interventions."
Fellow intern Emely Lopez, a student at Malcolm X College studying science with a goal of transferring to a four-year institution, elaborated: "Diversity in the workforce brings different mindsets into the mix, and it brings different viewpoints to clinical research. Clinical research doesn’t just involve interactions with different people — it’s interactions with different cultures, different mindsets and different beliefs. With diversity comes a kind of breaking barriers, which is super important to clinical research."
Sofia Beltran, a student at Malcolm X College studying biology, added, "As somebody that would consider herself Hispanic or Latino, growing up, you only saw a specific group of people in specific job roles, so continuing to grow up and continuing to pursue my interest in science and STEM… I felt like I was a minority within the STEM community. I feel like bringing in diversity and being able to see the level of interest that we all have and passion for it — that's a huge thing, especially for future generations.”
Read the full story on UChicago Medicine's page.