The Association of Clinical Research Professionals

Diversity Advisory Council

The Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) is a group of industry leaders who serve as a volunteer resource supporting ACRP’s efforts to increase diversity in the clinical research workforce.

DAC members recommend strategies to recruit and retain outstanding, high-quality clinical research professionals and students from historically underrepresented groups.

Current DAC activities are designed to achieve the following goals:

  • Grow the diversity of the clinical research workforce;
  • Develop and enrich the existing minority workforce; and
  • Enhance organizational effectiveness and engagement on the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ACRP Guiding Principles for Inclusion, Equity, and Representation: Inclusion, equity, and representation are essential values to the success of ACRP. We are committed to serving equitably.

Get Resources to Support Your DEI Initiatives: ACRP has curated resources to provide organizations the information, tools, and resources they need to effectively improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the clinical research workforce.

Access for Students to Clinical Research Training (ASCRT) Scholarship Program: In March 2024, ACRP awarded six $5,000 scholarships to its inaugural group of students from underrepresented communities enrolled in a two-year college, four-year college, or master’s-level program in clinical research. The scholarship’s criteria and selection process were managed by the DAC.

ACRP’s Response to FDA Draft Guidance on Diversity in Clinical Trials: The ACRP Diversity Advisory Council was published in Update, the quarterly magazine of the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI). DAC members—who have extensive day-to-day experience on the realities of running clinical trials—provided their viewpoints on the pathways forward for sites and sponsors. Shared with the permission of FDLI.

DIVERSITY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Ashley Moultrie

CHAIR, Ashley C. Moultrie, CCRP
Director of DEI & Community Engagement, Javara
LinkedIn >

Adrelia Allen
Director, Clinical Trial Patient Diversity, Merck Research Labs
LinkedIn >

Ruma Bhagat MD, MPH
Principal Portfolio Leader, Health Equity & Population Science, Product Development, Genentech, Inc. (A Member of the Roche Group)
LinkedIn >

Nadege T. Gunn, MD, CPI
Medical Director and Senior Scientific Advisor, Velocity Clinical Research
LinkedIn >

Lutheria Hollis, CCRC, CRA
Clinical Research Associate II, PPD, part of ThermoFisher
LinkedIn >

LaQuinta Jernigan
Chief Operating Officer, mdgroup
LinkedIn >

Jamie Langley
Global Head, Parexel Academy
LinkedIn >

Pamela Nelson, PhD, MSN
Founder/CEO, Bracane Company, Inc.
LinkedIn >

Victor M. Samperio, MD, CCRC
Research Director, Sun Valley Research Center
LinkedIn >

Sharleen Traynor, PhD, MPH, ACRP-CP
Director, Clinical Trials Research Associate Program, Durham Technical Community College
LinkedIn >

Thank You to the Following DAC Working Group Volunteers

Catharine Barnes, University of North Carolina
Cassandra Brisbane, Luminis Health AAMC Research Institute
Kimberly Brown, Medical University of South Carolina
Jessica Fritter, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Pete Fronte, Altura
Judy Galindo, Sun Valley Research Center

Nakema Glanton, Florence Healthcare
Marty Kerensa, Sarah Cannon
Will Krugman, Clinical Research Associates Inc.
Mark Lacy, Benchmark Research
Mark Marchant, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Ashley Margo, The AM Approach
Amanda Powell, Sarah Cannon
Melisa Price, UC Davis
Tana Schiewer, Nurses Now Staffing
Clare Tyson, Medical University of South Carolina

Recognizing Diverse Perspectives Within the Clinical Research Community

ACRP recognizes the diverse voices of clinical research professionals who promote excellence and quality in clinical research through Diversity Month campaigns. View curated resources, read ACRP content, and hear perspectives from clinical researchers related to Black History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, and National Hispanic Heritage Month.

ACRP Diversity Month Insights: