Alicia Lashley, Oncology Research Project Manager, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Attending my first Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Annual Conference as a proud member of Black Women In Clinical Research (BWICR) and a 2025 ACRP Continuing Education Grant recipient was nothing short of transformative. This year’s conference in New Orleans brought together more than 1,100 professionals committed to advancing equity, excellence, and innovation in clinical research, and I was honored to be in that number. From breakout sessions to deep-dive panels, the weekend was filled with valuable insights, purposeful conversations, and powerful moments of connection. Surrounded by clinical research professionals from diverse backgrounds, I felt grounded in community and energized by our shared commitment to this work. Some powerful takeaways that are still resonating with me:
- Mastering Change Management: This session emphasized that behavior, not just process, is at the heart of operational success. We discussed practical strategies for overcoming resistance to change, the importance of effective communication, and how habits (like James Clear’s principles from Atomic Habits) can be used to sustain meaningful improvements.
- Keeping Up with the FDA’s Changing Ways: With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration releasing 50 new guidances in 2024, staying updated is critical. Topics included decentralized trials, diversity action plans, and real-world evidence. The session underscored that although the how is evolving, our mission—patient safety and access—remains unchanged.
- Retaining Top Talent: This panel laid out a three-pronged onboarding model that included structured mentorship, leadership development, and inclusivity-centered programming. These kinds of frameworks are not just about retention; they’re about building career pipelines that support us in the long run.
- Career Shift: Enriching the Clinical Research Workforce Talent Pool: Perhaps one of the most heartening sessions, this talk highlighted the value of non-traditional pathways into research. Speakers shared stories of professionals who transitioned into clinical research from nursing, public health, education, and even banking—reminding us that with mentorship and intention, we can open doors for so many others. Programs focused on competency-based advancement and mentoring students of color are already creating a more inclusive future for clinical research.
And what made the conference even more special (besides the amazing New Orleans cuisine)? Being in community with my brilliant BWICR sisters LaTisha Weaver, Shanell Morrison, MPH, CCRC, Andrika Thomas, CCRP, PMP®, Melissa Jenkins, MS, ACRAC, Raquel L, Tolu Adewuya, PhD, and our incredible BWICR CEO Danielle S. Mitchell. A heartfelt thank you to ACRP for making this opportunity possible. The Continuing Education Grant truly opened the door for me to connect with leaders and peers who are reshaping the clinical research landscape. Thank you for recognizing the value of inclusive leadership in research. I leave this conference Powered By Purpose and deeply committed to mentoring the next generation, pushing for equity, and making space for innovation rooted in community.
Here’s to more wins ahead.
Author: Alicia Lashley, Oncology Research Project Manager, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center