NC TraCS is hosting a 4-session, virtual Clinical Trialist Training Bootcamp beginning on August 3rd.

The goal of the bootcamp is to educate current and future site Principal Investigators on industry-sponsored clinical trials, including the landscape of clinical trials at UNC-Chapel Hill; how to evaluate study opportunities; elements of study start-up; investigator responsibilities; and overseeing a study throughout its life cycle. Investigators should leave the training with more confidence on how to conduct industry-sponsored clinical trials and manage research teams.

Sessions are held on Mondays via Zoom from 4:00-6:00 p.m. ET on each of the following dates:

- Monday, August 3: Introduction, NC TraCS services, SHIRE overview, Research opportunities & workflow development
- Monday, August 17: Budget preparation, Contract review & execution, IRB application
- Monday, August 31: PI responsibilities, Participant recruitment, Participant engagement, Consent
- Monday, September 21: Oncore overview, Adverse events & protocol deviations, Site visits, Coordinator & staff oversight

Please contact Laura Hansen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions regarding this training.

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The Indiana CTSI AI Workshop Series: Principles and Best Practices for using AI in Qualitative Research

In a 90-minute panel discussion, leaders in qualitative research, AI tools, and qualitative research using AI will discuss (1) anchoring values for qualitative researchers to hold on to as the field evolves in the AI era, (2) guiding principles for effectively training new qualitative researchers, and (3) ethical issues in qualitative research conducted in full or in part using AI tools.

Speaker:
Adam S. Wilk, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Indiana University School of Medicine

This interactive online workshop will provide an introduction to focus groups, a data collection method used in qualitative research. Topics covered will include focus group methodology, considerations for planning a focus group, development of focus group discussion guides, focus group facilitation skills, and tips for conducting virtual focus groups. Attendees will also observe or participate in a mini "mock" virtual focus group session.

This event is part of the NC TraCS Qualitative Research Training Series and may be recorded. Materials such as slides or handouts will be shared with documented attendees only.

Presenters:
MaryBeth Grewe, MPH
Program Manager, Qualitative Research Service
Research Specialist, Patient and Community Engagement in Research (PaCER) Program

Simone Frank, MPH
Senior Project Manager, Patient and Community Engagement in Research (PaCER) Program
Research Specialist, Qualitative Research Service

For questions about this training, please contact MaryBeth Grewe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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ALIGN Lightning Talk: From Data to Discovery: Exploring SHIRE, UNC Health's Secure Research Platform

What is SHIRE? Why was SHIRE created, and how is it helping researchers today? In this session, you'll learn how SHIRE evolved to address growing research data needs while maintaining security and compliance.

Explore the platform's development, the capabilities it offers today, and hear from a researcher using SHIRE to advance their work. Whether you are curious about research analytics, AI, machine learning, or large language models, this talk will provide a practical look at how SHIRE supports innovation across UNC Health.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the need that led to the creation of SHIRE.
• Learn how SHIRE evolved into a secure research platform that supports everything from Excel-based analysis to advanced AI and LLM research.
• Hear directly from a researcher who uses SHIRE and identify ways the platform can support future research projects.

Join via Webex

Data Science Day: Emerging Directions in Data Science

Join the School of Data and Information Science (SDIS) for their fourth annual Data Science Day. This annual event brings together faculty, staff and student researchers from North Carolina colleges and universities to celebrate data science research and collaboration. This year’s theme, Emerging Directions in Data Science, highlights the evolving methods, tools and applications shaping the future of the field.

Registration is free but seats at the Carolina Club are limited. For more information and the day's agenda, visit sdis.unc.edu.

Register