Season 2, Episode 4: Designing Clinical Trials That Matter with Dr. Lauren Kelly

Welcome back to The Emerging Scholar Podcast! Today’s episode features Dr. Lauren Kelly, an Associate Professor in Pharmacology & Therapeutics at the University of Manitoba and a scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. Dr. Kelly leads the Clinical Pharmacology Lab, where her research focuses on pediatric and perinatal therapeutics, including medication safety in children, cannabinoid use in childhood and pregnancy, and opioid exposure during pregnancy—areas that have historically been underrepresented in clinical research.

Dr. Kelly is also shaping the future of clinical trials in Canada through her leadership roles as Scientific Director of the Canadian Collaborative for Childhood Cannabinoid Therapeutics (C4T) and Director of the pan-Canadian IMPaCT clinical trials training network. In this conversation, we explore emerging approaches to randomized controlled trial design, the evolving clinical trials landscape, and how national infrastructure and training platforms are making high-quality clinical research more accessible and feasible for early-career clinician scientists.

This episode is both educational and inspiring, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how evidence is built in complex and vulnerable populations. Whether you’re just beginning your research journey or considering expanding into clinical trials, Dr. Kelly’s insights highlight why this work doesn’t have to wait until later in your career—and why now is an exciting time to get involved.

Papers & Resources That We Touched On In This Episode

C4T Network: http://alturl.com/jfoji
Impact Trials: http://alturl.com/egcmm
PERC: http://alturl.com/wemmy
A Core Outcome Set for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: http://alturl.com/w88jr
Platform Trials: Key Features, When To Use Them and Methodological Challenges: http://alturl.com/x6ngy
REMAP Cap Trial: http://alturl.com/949z3
Placebo Effect in the Treatment of Acute Cough in Infants and Toddlers: http://alturl.com/2nqcy
Designing for Dyads: A Multidisciplinary Panel on Inclusion of Pregnant and Lactating Persons and Their Infants in Clinical Trials: http://alturl.com/eexx3
Cannabinoids Used for Medical Purposes in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: http://alturl.com/o2bej

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