2026 Introduction to Clinical Trials Seminar Series

The Introduction to Clinical Trials Seminar Series provides a practical foundation in the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials. Through expert-led sessions and panel discussions, the series covers key topics including trial phases and endpoints, protocol development, regulatory and committee oversight, data collection and analysis, investigator responsibilities, and the integration of correlative science. This series will benefit trainees, research coordinators and staff, investigators, and others seeking a clearer understanding of how clinical trials are developed and implemented within an academic medical center.

Hosted by: Wilmot Cancer Institute — Office for Cancer Research Training and Education

This is a virtual seminar series. Please register here to receive the Zoom link.

Session Overview

Friday, April 10, 2026

Session 1: Clinical Trial Phases and Endpoints: From Phase I to Phase III – 2 PM 

Jathin Bandari, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Urology; Chair of the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC)   

Session 2: Research Oversight in Clinical Trials: The Role of PRMC, RSRB, and DSMC – 3 PM

Richard Dunne, MD, MS, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Vice Chair of the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC)    
Sarah Mumford, MBA, Associate Vice President for Human Subject Protection (OHSP)
Jane Liesveld, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology; Vice Chair of the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC)  
Megan Baumgart, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology; Member of the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC)  

Friday, April 17, 2026

Session 3: Designing a Clinical Study: Working with a Statistician and Testing Hypotheses – 2 PM

Presenter: Andrea Baran, MS, Senior Associate, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology

Session 4: Data Collection and Analysis in Clinical Trials: Methods and Tools  – 3 PM

Presenter: Myla Strawderman, MS, Senior Associate, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology

Friday, April 24, 2026

Session 5: Survival Analysis in Clinical Trials: Core Concepts and Common Pitfalls – 2 PM

Presenter: Myla Strawderman, MS, Senior Associate, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology

Session 6: The Role of the Clinical Investigator: Responsibilities and Real-World Challenges  – 3 PM

Panel Discussion: 

Brendan Guercio, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology
Kristen O'Dwyer, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology
Erin M. Cebula, MPH, CCRP, Director of Quality Assurance & Regulatory Support in the Clinical Trials Office

Friday, May 8, 2026

Session 7: Clinical Trial Protocol Writing: Structure, Content, and Best Practices – 2 PM

Presenter: Jathin Bandari, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Urology; Chair of the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC)   

Session 8: Informed Consent, Enrollment and Accrual in Clinical Trials  – 3 PM

Presenters: 

Carla Casulo, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Member of the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC)   
Rick Bangs, Cancer Research Advocate, Member of the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC)   

Friday, May 15, 2026

Session 9: Launching an Investigator-Initiated Trial: Development, Parnerships, and Pathways – 2 PM

Presenters:

Kyle Richards, PharmD, BCPPS, Manager of the University of Rochester Investigational Drug Service
Danielle Wallace, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Member of the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC)   

Session 10: Integrating Correlative Science into Early-Phase Clinical Trials  – 3 PM

Presenter: Michelle Janelsins, PhD, MPH, Professor of Surgery