SCRS Talks

Hosted by Society for Clinical Research Sites

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Episodes

218

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

SCRS Talks, hosted by the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS), is a platform for clinical research industry professionals to hear about valuable information shaping the research industry today. These short interviews will provide new perspectives and insights on pressing topics, current events, and the research community.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 17, 202620 min

Fixing the Foundations of Clinical Trial Execution

Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Dr. Tia Warrick, CEO of Lesous Consulting, to talk about what actually drives clinical trial failures and what the industry can do about it. With nearly a decade of experience spanning coordinator to CEO, Dr. Warrick brings a ground-level perspective to a problem that costs the industry billions. The conversation covers why so many trials struggle before enrollment even begins, the difference between foundational certifications and true skills-based competency, and what it means that roughly a third of clinical trial failures trace back to workforce gaps we actually have the power to fix. Dr. Warrick also shares her take on where AI fits in, and why it is a useful tool but not a replacement for people who truly know their roles. If your team is thinking about how to build a more resilient, capable workforce and set trials up for success from day one, this episode is worth your time.

August 10, 202621 min

Patchwork Collective: Pharma to Table

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Brian Burkhardt of the Oliver Patch Project and Andy Shepherd of Project Outrun to talk about the Patchwork Collective, a growing coalition of pediatric oncology advocacy organizations working to bridge the gap between families battling childhood cancer and the clinical trial world. From a "Pharma at the Table" activation at SCOPE to the upcoming Patches & Pairs launch at Give Kids The World, Brian and Andy share how relationship-building and education are the keys to advancing pediatric representation in clinical research.

August 3, 202621 min

Beyond Transactions: What Site Ambassadorship Really Means

Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Kimberly Staeck, Head of Global Site Partnerships and Trial Enablement Solutions at Syneos Health, to dig into what it really means to treat sites as partners rather than execution engines. Kimberly brings two decades of operational and partnership experience to a conversation that gets honest about where the industry falls short. They cover why sites have learned to tell the difference between being heard and actually listened to, what closing the feedback loop looks like in practice, and why early site involvement in protocol development is a risk mitigation strategy, not a delay. Kimberly also makes a case for shifting away from activity-based metrics and toward shared outcomes that reflect the real health of a partnership. The throughline is simple: when sites feel valued and supported, patients get better care, staff stay in the field longer, and trials perform. If your organization is serious about moving from transactional to transformational site relationships, this one is worth your time.

July 28, 202618 min

How Agentic AI Is Transforming Clinical Research Site Operations

Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Brooklyn Montgomery, Business Development Director at Deep Intelligent Pharma (DIP), to explore how agentic AI is reshaping the way clinical research sites operate. Brooklyn breaks down where AI delivers real value for physician-led research, what meaningful adoption actually looks like at the site level, and the three questions every site should answer before spending a dollar on AI tools. The conversation also covers how mentorship and technology work together to close the gap between academic research and clinical execution, and where sites are headed as they move from execution partners to upstream contributors in trial design. Disclaimer : The content of this article reflects interview perspectives and is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute any commitment, representation, or guarantee regarding the performance or outcomes of any product or service. Actual results may vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, study design, data quality, regulatory requirements, and implementation conditions.

July 20, 202612 min

Features of Study Feasibility Technology

Kathy Cox and Ryan Johnsen of Interspond discuss how their platform CROWN is reshaping the study feasibility process for clinical research sites. Rather than sites waiting to be contacted, CROWN puts the power in their hands with a web-based marketplace where they can browse opportunities, manage their profile, and respond to time-sensitive requests all in one place. The result is a smarter, less disruptive feasibility experience built with sites at the center.

July 13, 202618 min

K2 Medical Research and Populace Health on Winning in CNS

In this episode of SCRS Talks, Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Sean Stanton, Founder and CEO of K2 Medical Research, and Christian Burns, Founder and President of Populus Health, to explore how their two organizations are working together to advance CNS drug development. With decades of combined experience across psychiatry, neurology, and neurodegeneration, Sean and Christian discuss what makes CNS trials uniquely challenging, what it takes to earn and maintain trust with sponsors and CROs, and why communication is just as critical as performance metrics. They also share their outlook on the future of the space, from biomarkers and precision health to the growing potential of psychedelics across therapeutic areas, and why CNS research feels less like a job and more like a mission.

July 6, 202622 min

The Missing Voice in AI Drug Development

In this episode of SCRS Talks, Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Donna Cryer, Chief Patient Officer at Cryer Health and active FDA patient advocate, to explore the critical difference between patient inclusion and patient leadership in drug development. Drawing on her own lifelong experience as a patient, Donna makes the case for why having patients in real positions of authority is not just a values statement but a strategic necessity, especially as AI becomes more embedded in every stage of the research process. From AI governance and model training to the risks of replacing human experience with simulated data, this conversation challenges the industry to stop treating patients as an afterthought and start building their perspectives into the foundation of how research gets done.

June 29, 202610 min

AI at Your Site: Compliance and What It Takes

AI is moving fast, and research sites are feeling the pressure to keep up. But before diving in, there are some foundational questions every site should be asking. Jimmy sits down with Marc Wartenberger, VP of Compliance and Security at CRIO, to break down what a defensible AI validation approach actually looks like, why under-documentation is the most common compliance mistake sites are making right now, and what the January 2026 FDA and EMA joint guidance means for day-to-day site operations. If your site is anywhere on the AI journey, this one is worth your time.

June 22, 202622 min

From Reactive to Real-Time: How AI Is Reshaping Clinical Trial Operations

Josh Stent, CEO of Momentum Clinical Research, joins Jimmy Bechtel to share how his 19-site network in Australia and New Zealand is using AI and automation to cut administrative burden, improve data accuracy, and get more time back for patients. From centralized data reporting to automated invoicing and smarter recruitment funnels, this episode breaks down what practical AI adoption actually looks like at the site level.

June 15, 202615 min

Rethinking Rare Disease: Innovation and What's Next

The rare disease space is often overlooked, but it may be the most important laboratory we have for the future of medicine. Jimmy sits down with Rob Freishtat, board member of the Foundation for mRNA Medicines, to talk about what is actually driving collaboration between academic institutions and industry, what a changing regulatory landscape means for sites, and why financial viability and patient access are not as opposed as people think. Tune in now.