May 2026: Issue 003

Welcome to the third issue of the ACTRI Center for Clinical Research (CCR) Monthly Newsletter.

Message from the CCR Co-Directors

Dear CCR Community,

As we continue to grow and evolve as a clinical research enterprise, we want to take a moment to reflect on what makes the CCR truly function at its best: partnership.

The investigators and study teams who bring their trials to the CCR are not simply users of our services — you are integral members of our shared research community. Your experiences, observations, and ideas directly shape how we operate, and we are committed to ensuring that the CCR works not just for you, but with you.

We strongly encourage all PIs to engage with us through our PI Town Hall meetings and by joining our Faculty Advisory Council (FAC). These forums exist specifically to create space for open dialogue, namely, to hear what is working, what needs improvement, and where we can do better. Your voice carries real weight in how we set priorities and make decisions about our services and operations.

We are equally committed to hearing from the broader study team. Coordinators and project managers are on the front lines of clinical research every day, and their perspective is invaluable. To that end, we are pleased to announce the next upcoming Study Team Town Hall on May 20 designed specifically for coordinators and PMs to share feedback, ask questions, and connect directly with CCR staff and leadership. We hope to see strong participation.

We extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to share feedback and engage with us. This work is better because of you, and we look forward to continuing to build something exceptional together.

Warm regards,

Dr. Kathryn Gold and Dr. Mark Wallace,

Co-Directors, ACTRI CCR

OPERATIONS UPDATES

CCR Recharge Rate Updates - Effective July 1, 2026

Please note that updated recharge rates for CCR units will go into effect on July 1, 2026. We encourage all study teams to review the updated rate sheets ahead of the effective date.
Updated rate sheets by unit (accessible with @health.ucsd.edu credentials):

If you have any questions about the updated rates or how they may affect your study, please don't hesitate to reach out to the CCR unit contact.

Scheduling Monitoring Visits at ACTRI Linda Vista

As activity at the Linda Vista site continues to grow, we ask that study teams provide at least two weeks' notice for any upcoming Site Qualification Visits (SQVs), Site Initiation Visits (SIVs), or monitoring visits. This helps ensure that appropriate spaces are available to support discretion and privacy for all teams using the site.
To schedule a visit, please email Jesse Lora at jclora@health.ucsd.edu with the following information:

IRB number
Visit type (SQV, SIV, or monitoring visit)
Whether a room is needed and for how long

You will receive a confirmation once your visit has been approved and scheduled.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Jesse directly.

DEXA Technician Update

We are pleased to announce that sonographer Mina Trivedi has completed her Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) certification. This is a great milestone for the clinic, as it means we now have a backup DEXA technician on staff. Congratulations, Mina!

Study Close Notification Reminder

Is your study wrapping up? Don't forget to notify the CCR units (Clinic, CTSS, and CRC)! Studies must notify the units within 30 days of closing the study or ending services. Timely notification is not just good practice, but it also helps your team avoid an annual renewal fee. Please make study close notification a standard part of your close-out checklist and reach out to the clinic team if you have any questions.

UPCOMING EVENT

Study Team Town Hall

Date: May 20, 2026, 10-11 AM
Location: via Zoom
Study team members are invited to join CCR leadership for operational updates and open discussion. This forum provides an opportunity to share feedback and discuss priorities impacting clinical research support services.

If you would like to join this town hall and you have not yet received an invitation please email Amy Westermann at a2westermann@health.ucsd.edu.

CCR REMINDERS

ACTRI Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) are available to support studies conducted in any UC San Diego affiliated space — not just the ACTRI clinic. If your study will be conducted outside of the ACTRI clinic, you are still able to utilize ACTRI CRC services.
When a new physician is added to your study team, please notify ACTRI clinic staff and leadership promptly. This ensures all necessary access, credentials, and coordination are in place ahead of their involvement in study activities.
As a reminder, hazardous and pharmaceutical waste must never be disposed of in regular trash. Please ensure all such materials are disposed of through the appropriate designated waste streams in accordance with UC San Diego safety and compliance guidelines. As illustrated in the photo below, improper disposal of hazardous waste is not acceptable

EVENT RECAP

4th Annual Department of Medicine Research Day

This year's Department of Medicine Research Day on April 29, 2026 was a tremendous success! With a theme of "Discovery to Delivery: Real-World Impact of Translational Research," the event drew over 300 registrants and featured more than 45 posters showcasing the incredible breadth of research happening across UC San Diego and the surrounding community.

The CCR team was proud to table at the event, connecting with researchers and sharing information about our many services available to support their work. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with the research community and highlight the vital role the CCR plays in advancing clinical research at UC San Diego.

CTSS Service Spotlight: Protocol Development

The Clinical Trials Support Services (CTSS) team provides comprehensive protocol development support for investigator-initiated studies, helping investigators transform research concepts into well-structured, submission-ready protocols. By leveraging our expertise, investigators can streamline study startup timelines, enhance protocol quality, and focus more time on advancing innovative clinical research. Reach out to CTSS for more information.