On Research - with CITI Program

In this episode of On Research , host Alexa McClellan speaks with Jim Gould, Director of Postdoctoral Affairs at Harvard Medical School and co-host of Propelling Careers , about what it takes for early-career scientists to thrive in today’s research environment. Together, they explore funding uncertainty, burnout, career flexibility, resilience, mentorship, and the skills researchers need to build...

In a moment of uncertainty across the research landscape, what does it mean to lead with clarity, integrity, and hope? In this episode of On Research , Dr. Josh Fessel shares insights from his experience at the NIH to unpack shifting federal priorities, growing instability, and the real risks of inaction. Together, we explore how researchers and institutions can navigate change, rebuild trust, and...

Technology transfer offices are increasingly on the front lines of research security—and the rules are changing fast. In this episode of On Research, we’re joined by Allen DiPalma and Kevin Wozniak from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) to unpack COGR’s Research Security Guidance for Technology Transfer and what it means for protecting innovation while still supporting collaboration.  N...

What does meaningful child assent really look like in research? In this episode of On Research , host Alexa McClellan speaks with Dr. David Coker about rethinking child assent beyond procedural compliance. Drawing on his recent scholarship, Dr. Coker explores gaps in current practices, regulatory tensions, inclusion of children with disabilities, and the role of IRBs in supporting assent as a deve...

When studies end abruptly, the ethical responsibilities don’t disappear. Dr. Brandon Brown joins host Alexa McClellan to examine institutional responsibility, participant protection, and research integrity when research is terminated unexpectedly—and what the end of a study reveals about trust in the research enterprise.    Notes:   Dr. Brandon Brown. “Your Study Is Terminated: Researchers Need to...

In this episode of On Research , we explore how service dogs and advocacy are transforming accessibility for scientists with disability in STEM. Guests Joey Ramp-Adams and Madeline Jones share their lived experiences, discuss barriers in laboratory environments, and highlight how inclusive practices can create more equitable pathways in research.    Notes:   Sampsons Legacy Foundation - https://sa...

As artificial intelligence accelerates its influence on medicine and science, the real challenge is no longer whether AI is worth its cost—but how we choose to use it. In this episode, Dr. Catherine Bielick and Dr. Leo Anthony Celi examine how AI is transforming biomedical research and medical education, exposing deep flaws in legacy systems while offering a chance to rethink how knowledge is crea...

In this episode of On Research , we talk with attendees, presenters, and exhibitors who were at the 2025 PRIM&R Annual Conference in Baltimore about key takeaways, emerging themes, and what this year’s conference reveals about where research and ethics compliance is headed next.    Notes:   PRIM&R   - https://primr.org/   On Tech Ethics – A CITI Program Podcast - https://www.buzzsprout.com...

In this episode of On Research , we talk with Dr. Megan LaFollette, Executive Director of the 3Rs Collaborative, about the practical applications of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement, emerging animal model alternatives, and how federal initiatives are shaping the future of science.      Notes:   The 3Rs Collaborative:  https://3rc.org/   The 3Rs Certificate Course : https://about.citiprogram....

In this episode, we talk with Danielle Mitchell, CEO and founder of Black Women in Clinical Research (BWICR), a professional organization dedicated to empowering, supporting, and connecting Black women working in clinical research through mentorship, networking, and career development opportunities.    Notes:   Black Women in Clinical Research (BWICR) - https://bwicr.com/   On Tech Ethics – A CITI...

Guest host Dr. Anne Hawkinsbadge (CITI Program) and Dr. Regina Allen (Virginia Tech) discuss the NIH’s new requirement for Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) to post approved meeting minutes online, effective June 1. They explore how institutions can comply, while also examining the role, membership, and importance of IBCs in research compliance and safety.    Notes:  National Institutes of...

They outnumber us by the quintillions. They’re used in research across genetics, behavior, ecology, neuroscience—even robotics. But when it comes to ethics and welfare, insects are often left out of the conversation. Can they feel pain? What responsibilities do researchers have to them? This episode of On Research explores big ethical questions about our smallest research subjects. Our guests are...

Today we’re stepping behind the scenes into a critical – but often invisible – part of the research world: maintaining integrity. Joining us is Dr. Courtney Karmelita, Executive Director of Ethical Research and Outreach at Penn State. In today's conversation, we'll talk about what really happens when concerns are raised, how institutions handle research misconduct investigations, the cha...

How do we responsibly study digital communities without violating their trust? Where do we draw the line between research and interference? Joining us today is Dr. Sarah Gilbert, a research associate at Cornell University and research director of the Citizens and Technology Lab. Her work focuses on supporting healthy online communities, including how online data can be reused ethically. Together,...

Today’s episode is a celebration of CITI Program’s 25th anniversary. We talk with a panel of long-time employees, including Jaime Arango, Vice President of Content and Education, Daniel Smith, Director of Content and Education, and Adiper Bello, Director of Operations and Support, about the history of CITI Program, key milestones in the company, and where CITI Program is headed.    Additional reso...

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Dr. Jeremy Rossman, a researcher of 25 years, virologist, and President of a non-profit aimed at creating lasting and sustainable community development in research worldwide. We take a deep dive into community engagement in research; what it means, the challenges and opportunities, and why it’s so important. Jeremy does a wonderful job of explaining commun...

Join us for a fascinating discussion about the recently updated Dual Use Research of Concern policy. There was so much to cover that I brought in two experts – one as my co-host and the other as our guest. If you don’t know much about Dual Use Research of Concern, this conversation will be a fantastic primer. We discuss what Dual Use means, the policy updates, how these updates could impact your r...

Join us for episode 1 of season 3 as we explore an essential compliance topic: coverage analysis. It’s a complicated process, but lucky for us, we have Andra Popa. Andra is an expert with nearly two decades of experience in healthcare law, compliance, and coverage analysis. As one of the first in the industry to provide coverage analysis, Andra walks us through the intricate details of the process...

Join us for an engaging recap of the recent PRIM&R conference, held on November 17-20 in Seattle. With an amazing panel of research professionals, we discuss the highlights, popular sessions, hot topics, and the benefits of attending this conference. Whether you attended or not, there is plenty of valuable information shared by the panel of experts in our field.     Guest panel for this episod...

Join us for an in-depth discussion about the updated research misconduct final rule.  John Baughman, a research compliance expert, gives an excellent overview of the updates, why they matter, and how to be prepared when the policy goes into effect on January 1, 2025. While we all wait for the templates and guidance documents from the Office of Research Integrity, John provides some excellent advic...

Join us for a fascinating discussion about the evolution of pharmacy in clinical research. Adam Samson, Head of Clinical Delivery Operations at Walgreens, discusses how pharmacists and pharmacy techs have more opportunities to participate in clinical trials. Learn how Walgreens has developed its research program to include the pharmacy at the center of its operations. This program includes takeawa...

Join us for a deep dive into the world of AI and its practical applications in the world of research operations. Charlie Fremont, an EHR application analyst specializing in research operations and billing, discusses how AI technology has helped him create new workflows that have vastly improved processes. Not only does he share details around how he uses this technology, he also shares valuable in...

Join us for a fascinating discussion about the intersection of Research and Politics. Rachel Baker, a research nurse and House Representative in the state of Ohio, discusses working in two very different fields and how they both inform each other. We focus on the similarities of the fields and the transferable skills that Rachel has learned from her political career that have helped in her researc...

Join us for a discussion about the always-interesting topic of Quality Improvement vs. Research. What is the difference between QI and Research, and how do researchers and IRBs determine the difference between the two? Tiffany Gommel shares her experience, some helpful insights, and practical advice on this topic.   Additional Resources:  Example of QI vs Research Checklist from NIH - https://irbo...

Join us for a thoughtful, long-form discussion about the evolving IRB Industry.  Julie Blasingim, the CEO of Univo IRB, sits down to talk about how we got to the current IRB landscape we have now, and the future of IRBs. She covers a lot of areas related to the IRB, including how for-profit IRBs balance ethical reviews with the economics of business, identifying the gap between patients and the IR...