Special Populations Coordinating Center

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About:
Integrating Special Populations in Clinical and Translational Research

Mission or Goal:
The mission of the Special Population Coordinating Center (SPCC) is to increase participation of special populations in clinical and translational research. The SPCC addresses the “clinical trials participation gap”, which refers to the refers to the significant differences in sex, race and socioeconomic status between clinical trials participants and the US population. The UTMB SPCC specifically addresses the need to increase participation in clinical trials of expecting mothers and their babies, children, older adults, Hispanic minorities and underserved populations.

Hub Liaison Team

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Elena Volpi, MD, PhD

Position
Associate Director, ITS
Director, Sealy Center on Aging
Professor, Geriatrics

Hub Role & Responsibilities
SPCC Director; Expert in Geriatric Trials. Responsible for overall operations of the SPCC. Identifies barriers and opportunities to increase inclusion of geriatric participants in clinical trials. Responsible for identifying PIs and supporting implementation of geriatric trials.

Bio: https://researchexperts.utmb.edu/en/persons/elena-volpi, https://www.utmb.edu/scoa/membership/elena-volpi

Email: evolpi@utmb.edu
George Saade, MD

Position
Professor and Chief, Div. of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Hub Role & Responsibilities
Expert in Maternal-Fetal Trials. Identifies barriers and opportunities to increase inclusion of maternal-fetal participants in clinical trials. Responsible for identifying PIs and supporting the implementation of maternal-fetal trials

Bio: https://researchexperts.utmb.edu/en/persons/george-saade

Email: gsaade@utmb.edu
Roberto Garofalo, MD

Position
Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Dept. Pediatrics

Hub Role & Responsibilities
Expert in Pediatric Trials. Identifies barriers and opportunities to increase inclusion of children in clinical trials. Responsible for identifying PIs and supporting the implementation of pediatric trials.

Bio: https://researchexperts.utmb.edu/en/persons/roberto-garofalo

Email: rpgarofa@utmb.edu
Ana Rodriguez, MD

Position
Associate Professor of Obstetrics-Gynecology

Hub Role & Responsibilities
Expert in inclusion of Hispanic and Underserved Participants in Trials. Identifies barriers and opportunities to inclusion of Hispanic and underserved participants in clinical trials. Responsible for identifying PIs and supporting implementation of trials including Hispanic and underserved participants.

Bio: https://researchexperts.utmb.edu/en/persons/ana-rodriguez-2

Email: an3rodri@utmb.edu
Lisa Hernandez Garcia

Position
Research Operations Manager

Hub Role & Responsibilities
Research Navigator. Responsible for assisting investigators in the utilization of Hub resources to facilitate inclusion of special populations in clinical trials.

Email: lghernan@utmb.edu

Contact

Elena Volpi, MD, PhD
SPCC Director, Expert in Geriatric Trials
evolpi@utmb.edu

George Saade, MD
Expert in Maternal-Fetal Trials
gsaade@utmb.edu

Roberto Garofalo, MD
Expert in Pediatric Trials
rpgarofa@utmb.edu

Lisa Hernandez Garcia
Research Navigator
lghernan@utmb.edu

Resources

UTMB Trials Today

Office of Clinical Research