Clinical Research Navigator

 Navigator to Guide Clinical and Translational Researchers
at Tulane and LSU Health Sciences Centers

Clinical research faculty and trainees at LSU and Tulane Health Sciences Centers (LSUHSC and TUHSC) have a partner to assist in the development of innovative, investigator-initiated clinical trials.  Our clinical research navigator serves as a resource for PIs from both institutions to help facilitate the progress of clinical research protocols from conception to analysis and publication of data.
           
The navigator is the first point of contact for trainees and junior faculty interested in pursuing investigator-initiated clinical research, and they help guide the clinical investigator throughout the life of the study.  The navigator works with the PIs as they draft the study and facilitates their use of biostatistics, bioinformatics, intellectual property officers, contract officers, scientific review committee members, data and safety monitoring personnel and electronic protocol management at both institutions.  The navigator is also familiar with Institutional Review Board policies and procedures and other regulatory issues that might accelerate a protocol’s implementation.  Once a study begins to accrue patients, the navigator troubleshoots a variety of protocol issues, including accrual, compliance, data management, and the eventual publication of the study’s findings.  Additionally, the navigator is a critical resource to the established clinical and translational investigators who serve as mentors at both institutions.