CRO Career Conversations: CRAs, CRCs, & Other Careers in Clinical Operations

Contract research organizations (CRO) operate in many capacities to support the work of healthcare innovators and help move therapies from idea to market. NCBiotech’s CRO Career Conversations speaker series provides an introduction to key roles within the CRO industry and the opportunity to learn about career pathways, day-to-day responsibilities, and more from professionals currently in the field.

This event will focus on careers in clinical operations, including Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) and Clinical Research Associates (CRAs). Join us to learn more about how these roles support aspects of clinical research ranging from subject screening and recruitment to regulatory maintenance, data collection, and clinical monitoring.

Moderator 

Jared Kerr, JD, MPH
Clinical Associate Professor | Clinical Research Graduate Program Coordinator
UNCW's College of Health and Human Services

Jared Kerr, BS, MPH, JD, CLSE is a Clinical Associate Professor and has served as the Clinical Research Graduate Program Coordinator for the Clinical Research Program at UNC Wilmington since 2020. He is Vice President of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research and serves on the board for the Committee on Accreditation of Academic Programs in Clinical Research.

For over 20 years Jared has worked for biopharmaceutical, contract research, academic, and government organizations. His work has ranged from basic scientific research, biopharmaceutical research and development, project management, intellectual property, and medical regulation.

Panelists 

Jazmin Barnes
Clinical Research Associate I
Syneos Health

Jazmin Barnes is a Clinical Research Associate I. Prior to becoming a CRA I, she worked as a Clinical Trial Assistant and in behavioral health. She is very passionate about diversifying the clinical research industry and is a brand ambassador leader for Black Women in Clinical Research. Jazmin holds a BA in Psychology from NC A&T University.

Shelly Fincannon
Clinical Research Coordinator
Duke University's School of Medicine

Shelly Fincannon is a “retired” high school math and science teacher. After working with teenagers for twenty years she decided to go back to school to pursue an associate’s degree in clinical research at Durham Tech.  I currently work for Duke University School of Medicine in the Cardiothoracic Surgery department as a Clinical Research Coordinator.

Melissa Long
Study Site Specialist
Advanced Clinical, FSP

Melissa Long is a Study Site Specialist for a sponsor. Her experience has been focused primarily on the regulatory aspect of clinical research and spans both the site and CRO level. Melissa is also completing her Clinical Trials Research Associate degree at Durham Technical Community College.

Participating Organizations