While critical investments in clinical research infrastructure and training are essential for supporting new principal investigators (PIs) leading clinical trials, a significant barrier remains—a lack of awareness of clinical research as a career option in the first place. According to the authors of a special feature in the forthcoming June issue of ACRP’s Clinical Researcher journal, one innovative and practical solution to PI shortages and broader clinical research staffing challenges comes in the form of early intervention programs, which could be adapted to provide early practical exposure to careers in clinical research.
“These programs, in conjunction with other methods, could be used to help bolster the future clinical research workforce,” the authors note. “Introducing clinical research concepts and opportunities to aspiring medical students is an optimal way to inspire the next generation of physician-scientists and clinical trial leaders.”
Lead author Thesla Berne-Anderson, EdD, Founder of SSTRIDE and USSTRIDE and Executive Director of Precollege and College Programs for the Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine, was joined by coauthors Justin Scott Brathwaite, MBA, a Site Readiness and Regulatory Senior Specialist with Fortrea and PhD student in clinical research at the University of Jamestown; Steven Sims, MS, an Associate Researcher in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Andrés Gil Arana, BS, a PhD student at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Jonah Weltmann, BS, a pre-medical student at FSU; Benjamin Linkous, BS, a fourth-year medical student at FSU; and Aihua Wang, PhD, Director of Program Evaluation at the FSU College of Medicine.
The team’s article describes a pipeline early intervention model pioneered by Berne-Anderson and featuring several specialized programs for students in different age ranges. Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence (SSTRIDE), open to students from designated Florida middle and high schools in Collier, Gadsden, Okaloosa, Orange, and Sarasota counties, targets young minds as early as middle school, then as they progress to college, they can join SSTRIDE Connect as freshmen and USSTRIDE (Undergraduate SSTRIDE) for their sophomore to senior years.
The model emphasizes sociocultural, academic, leadership, and professional development, preparing students not only for medical school but also for the demands of clinical research. Support services include tutoring, success coaching, leadership development, premedical advising, clinical shadowing, application review, mock interviews, and test preparation.
“This holistic approach ensures that students develop the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive in challenging academic and professional environments,” the authors note.
The June issue of Clinical Researcher with the full article about SSTRIDE and USSTRIDE, a peer-reviewed lead article on “Using REDCap for Automation and Research Operations Efficiency,” columns on such topics as artificial intelligence and ethical violations in clinical research, and more, will be posted on the ACRP website within the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, various other clinical research workforce–related topics were also in focus during sessions presented at the recent ACRP 2025 gathering in New Orleans. A package of collected recordings of these sessions is now available for purchase and includes:
- A Workforce Upskilling Framework for Elevating Organizational Capabilities and Maturity
- Gatekeeping Practices and the Evolving Clinical Research Coordinator Role
- Innovative Models to Promote Pathways into the Clinical Research Workforce
- Mastering Study and Site Management: Skills-Based Competency Training for Coordinators
- Principal Investigator Qualifications: Are Micro-Credentials Enough?
- Retaining Top Talent: Our Onboarding & Development Programs – A Panel Discussion
- Sustaining Studies and Keeping the Team Afloat in Rough Waters
- Training for the Informed Consent Process: Going from Good to Great
In addition to the Workforce Development package, interested parties can check out the ACRP Course Catalog for the full program of ACRP 2025 replays or smaller packages themed on Study & Site Management, Regulatory & Compliance, Clinical Trial Design, Leadership & Professionalism, and Technology & Future Trends. Conference attendees already have access to all recorded ACRP 2025 sessions that correspond to their conference registration type (Full, Weekend, or One-Day Registration) by logging onto the ACRP website and visiting their My Courses Dashboard.
Edited by Gary Cramer
