Moving Medicine Forward

What does it take to build a healthier future for Northern Kentucky? On this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , we sit down with Dr. Holly Danneman, Associate Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Northern Kentucky Campus , to discuss how expanding medical education opportunities in the region can help address physician shortages, strengthen the local healthcare workforce, and i...

As clinical trials become increasingly complex, sponsors and study teams need faster access to the data that drives critical decisions. In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , host Jeremy Schrand sits down with Kimberly Uptgraft, Vice President of Global Laboratory Services, and Rob Schumacher, Senior Director of Clinical Data Systems & Data Management at CTI, to discuss conneCTIva Lab In...

Glioblastoma remains one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of brain cancer, with recurrence posing a significant challenge for patients and researchers alike. In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , Jeremy Schrand sits down with Moya Daniels, Vice President, Head of Regulatory and QA at Optieum Biotechnologies, to discuss the company's novel CAR-T cell therapy program, O...

As CTI celebrates 27 years of moving medicine forward, Hadley Decker, Senior Director, Global Training and Development, and Natiq Fazlani, Research Associate, share their unique career journeys at CTI. Through the lens of two employees at very different stages of their careers, they discuss professional growth, the value of curiosity, and the culture that continues to shape CTI's mission of ad...

Alzheimer's disease affects millions of individuals and families, yet many people remain unaware of the critical role early detection can play in improving outcomes. In this episode, host Jeremy Schrand is joined by Andrew Pytlik and Patti Hahn of the Alzheimer's Association to discuss the growing importance of cognitive screening, advances in diagnostic testing, and the steps individuals...

Childhood cancer research faces unique challenges, from limited funding opportunities to fewer treatment options compared to adult cancers. In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , host Jeremy Schrand is joined by Jill Brink, Executive Director of CancerFree KIDS, Dr. Meisam Nami of Cincinnati Children's, and Dr. Ezgi Elmas of CARTx Therapeutics to discuss how early-stage funding is helpin...

This week, we're revisiting a previous conversation with Megan Kamm, Senior Vice President of Client Delivery, and Josh Schroeder, Vice President of Site & Field Operations, to discuss how strong planning, site partnerships, and cross-functional collaboration drive successful trial execution. From feasibility and study startup to patient-centered decision-making, biometrics strategy, and g...

Childhood cancer research advances through the combined efforts of families, researchers, advocates, and donors. In this episode, Matt Robinson of CancerFree KIDS and Dr. Lindy Miles of Cincinnati Children's discuss how early-stage research funding, clinical trials, and community support help bring new treatments to children with cancer. Matt shares his family's experience navigating leuke...

After nearly 40 years caring for transplant patients and more than 25 years in clinical research, Dr. Helio Tedesco has made a unique transition from investigator to CRO medical leader. In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , Dr. Tedesco reflects on the evolution of transplantation medicine, the challenges patients face before and after transplant, and why clinical research remains essential...

In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , Jeremy Schrand is joined by Luke Devey, Chief Medical Officer at Quell Therapeutics, and Savannah Doliboa, Chief Commercial Officer at CTI, to discuss how engineered regulatory T cell therapies are being developed to “chill, not kill” the immune system. The conversation explores Quell Therapeutics’ approach to Treg cell therapy, the complexity of launch...

Ian Hennessey, Vice President & General Counsel at CTI, joins Moving Medicine Forward to discuss the critical role legal affairs plays in advancing global clinical research. From navigating complex regulations and supporting trial operations to evaluating emerging technologies like AI, Ian shares how legal teams help organizations innovate responsibly while protecting patients and empowering s...

What happens behind the scenes to ensure new therapies are safe for patients? In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , we are joined by John Kane, Vice President of Pharmacovigilance and Safety Services at CTI, to explore the critical role of drug safety throughout the clinical development process. John shares how safety teams collect and evaluate adverse event data, navigate complex global re...

What does it take to set a complex global clinical trial up for success? In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , we are joined by Megan Kamm, Senior Vice President of Client Delivery, and Josh Schroeder, Vice President of Site & Field Operations, to discuss how strong planning, site partnerships, and cross-functional collaboration drive successful trial execution. From feasibility and stu...

Asia Pacific has become one of the fastest-growing regions in clinical research, offering sponsors new opportunities to advance clinical development in an increasingly complex global environment. In this episode, Pavels Anetko, Director of Clinical Operations and Clinical Project Management at CTI, shares insights from across the region, including Australia's strengths in early phase studies a...

Summer Farmen and Jeff Sturm share their personal cancer journeys and the mission behind ALK Positive, CTI’s Q3 Charity of the Quarter. ALK Positive is a patient-driven organization dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals living with ALK-positive cancer. Together, they discuss how they became advocates within a global patient community, the importance of genetic testing and second opinions...

This week, we're revisiting a previous conversation with Jon Koch, CEO, and Brian Lawrence, CFO and President, as they share their perspective on what’s next for CTI as the organization enters a new phase of growth. They reflect on CTI’s legacy of partnership and execution while outlining how they plan to expand its impact across complex clinical trials. From scaling capabilities and investing...

What does it take to design clinical trials that truly put patients first—especially when those patients are children? In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , Dr. Radhika Peddinti, Medical Director at CTI, discusses her journey from pediatric hematology/oncology at the bedside to shaping clinical research at a global scale. Drawing on more than two decades of experience caring for children an...

In this episode, we’re joined by Rafael Miñana Prieto, Senior Manager of Operations for Laboratory Services at CTI, who oversees global biorepository operations across the U.S. and Europe. He walks through the full specimen lifecycle—from kit design and sample collection to storage, retrieval, and delivery—and explains why biological specimens are the foundation of clinical research. Rafael shares...

In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , Dr. Robert Fisher—one of the pioneers of modern transplant surgery—explores the rapidly advancing field of xenotransplantation and why it may represent a true turning point in medicine. From CRISPR-driven genetic engineering to breakthroughs in immunosuppression and scalable organ production, Dr. Fisher breaks down how decades of research are converging...

What does a recovering clinical research market actually look like in 2026? In this episode, Joel White , Owner of Market Cap Consulting, and Ryan Gifford , Vice President, Global Laboratory Services, Business Development & Client Management at CTI, join us to unpack the state of the industry—from the rebound in biotech funding to the growing importance of execution, site relationships, and sm...

In this MMF Rewind, we’re bringing back an important conversation with Lynda Lee Smith—one that shines a light on the ongoing challenges transplant families face and the critical role of research in improving outcomes. Lynda Lee Smith, CEO of Enduring Hearts, is featured on the Moving Medicine Forward Podcast to discuss the mission and impact of the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated to funding ped...

In this episode, Jon Koch, CEO, and Brian Lawrence, CFO and President, share their perspective on what’s next for CTI as the organization enters a new phase of growth. They reflect on CTI’s legacy of partnership and execution while outlining how they plan to expand its impact across complex clinical trials. From scaling capabilities and investing in talent to strengthening operational discipline a...

What does effective medical leadership look like in today’s complex research environment? In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward , Dr. Sliman discusses his path from patient care to clinical research leadership. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Sliman shares lessons on staying patient‑centered, navigating regulatory realities, and leading teams within evolving healthcare systems—offering...

Dr. Robert Wagner, Senior Medical Director and Principal Investigator at CTI’s Clinical Research Center, shares more about clinical trial operations at research sites.  Reflecting on nearly three decades in internal medicine and hospital‑based care, Dr. Wagner shares his path from patient care into clinical research, how that experience shapes his approach as an investigator, and why strong resear...

Halle Raicevich, Research Associates Manager; Rick Renko, Project Manager, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs; and Alexa Kehoe, Senior Clinical Project Coordinator, are featured on this episode of the Moving Medicine Forward podcast to discuss CTI’s Research Associate (RA) Program. This pathway is designed to help emerging talent gain real‑world experience while exploring opportunities across the...