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Research Services Center

The Research Services Center (RSC) trains and supports investigators from all partner institutions in key areas of research development and implementation, including ethics, regulatory management and compliance, and standardized research practices. Professionals in clinical and community engaged research ensure that investigators complete all regulatory training, meet regulatory requirements, and establish robust processes for participant recruitment and retention as well as best practices in data collection, monitoring, and reporting, and adherence to required guidelines.

The RSC works with investigators to develop complete and accurate budgets, establish service agreements, seek fair and compliant contracts, and implement timely and accurate invoicing for research procedures. The RSC also provides enhanced access to Clinical Research Coordinators and Community Research Coordinators. Additionally, it offers full service support for awardees of the Pilot Projects Program, including participants in components of the Professional Development Core: the Investigator Development Program, and the Community Engagement and Outreach Core Summer Institute. By lowering barriers to project development and implementation and promoting best practices inClinical Trials activated at UMMC have doubled since 2016 (MCCTR activation). Bar graph depicts 100% increase since 2016. clinical, translational, and community engaged research and outreach, the RSC will support the expansion of ethical and well-managed research projects, and contribute to increased research funding at the CCTR partner institutions.

The RSC has been instrumental in meeting participant recruitment goals and facilitating new study startup for early career investigators. Since the start of the MCCTR, there has been tremendous growth of research infrastructure for clinical and translational research.  Since 2016, the number of clinical trials activated at UMMC has doubled from 2016 to 2020 (see figure). 

RSC leadership

Portrait of Dr. Gailen Marshall

Gailen Marshall, MD, PhD, Research Services Center Core Leader

Dr. Marshall is the R. Faser Triplett Chair of Allergy and Immunology, Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, Pathology, Population Health Sciences, Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine and Medical Director for the Clinical Research Support Program (CRSP) and Clinical Research and Trials Units (CRTU) at UMMC.

  • Amy Wigglesworth, BSN, RN, CCRP, Research Navigator: Ms. Wigglesworth is the Research Navigator for the RSC and an RN Division Supervisor in the Clinical Research Support Program.
  • Patrick Hopkins, MD, Ethics Advisor and Collaborator: Dr. Hopkins is Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Millsaps College and a member of the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities at UMMC.

RSC faculty and staff