RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Worldwide Clinical Trials, Inc., (Worldwide) the industry’s leading global, midsized, full-service contract research organization (CRO), announced researchers Anna Gres, Ph.D. and Matthew Confeld, Ph.D., Pharm.D., have been selected for the esteemed Michael F. Murphy Clinical Research Methodology Fellowship Program.
Established in 2017, the competitive two-year program is designed to empower the next generation of scientists devoted to advancing the future of clinical research. The fellowship continues the company’s commitment to providing biotech and pharmaceutical companies with methodological rigor, innovative trial design and unmatched scientific expertise. Under the guidance of the program’s namesake, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer Michael F. Murphy, M.D., Ph.D., fellows will actively enable novel contributions at each phase of development and across therapeutic areas and technologies in support of clinical development in cardiometabolic, neuroscience, oncology as well as rare and orphan diseases.
“By cultivating the scientific and medical expertise of the extended Worldwide team, we are enriching the development of promising scientists while at the same time enhancing the methodological rigor of our service offering,” said Murphy. “The fellows are an integral part of the Worldwide culture, and their contributions directly inform our scientific and operational solutions for small molecules, biologics, and advanced therapy medicinal products within increasingly sophisticated discovery and development programs.”
Intentionally, the program mirrors advanced training courses offered within academia, where Murphy has served as a contributing faculty member for 24 years. Fellows will partake in didactics, applied clinical research assignments, and rotating assignments under the guidance of various functional areas, such as clinical operations, project management, regulatory affairs, and biostatistics, among others. “Clinical trial methodology concepts are fungible across therapeutic areas, therapeutic interventions, and phases of research. Therefore, a priority and key benefit of the program is ensuring fellows’ exposure to multiple functional areas across phases of research within the organization,” said Murphy.
Gres, whose expertise is in structural biology, biochemistry, drug discovery, and pathogen-host interactions, has more than 10 years of academic research experience concentrated in virology, oncology, and rare diseases.
“I have always had a tenacious desire to prevent and cure severe diseases,” said Gres. “My experience within the regulatory space, drug discovery, and pre-clinical drug development has only further motivated my desire for exposure to the clinical drug development process and to learn from the best.”
Confeld specializes in pharmaceutical sciences and has 10 years’ experience spanning multiple fields, including pharmacogenomics research and clinical application, patient-centered medical cannabis care, retail pharmacy, oncology screening, and drug development. Confeld has earned multiple awards for his innovative thinking including first place and People’s Choice Awards at the 2015 ND Innovation Challenge and second place in 2017, 3-Minute Thesis Finalist, and American Association of Pharmaceutical Science Best Poster 2018.
“The accomplishments and knowledge obtained by Dr. Murphy over the last 30 years are inspiring. I’m grateful for opportunity to mix my knowledge of pharmaceutical science with hands-on training,” said Confeld.
About Worldwide Clinical Trials
Worldwide Clinical Trials employs 2,000+ professionals around the world, with offices in North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Russia, and Asia-Pacific. Founded by physicians committed to advancing medical science, Worldwide is out to change how the world experiences CROs – in the best possible way. From early phase and bioanalytical sciences through late phase, post-approval, and real-world evidence, we provide world-class, full-service drug development services.
With infrastructure and talent spanning 60 countries, we execute predictable, successful studies with operational excellence across a range of therapeutic areas, including central nervous system, cardiovascular, metabolic, general medicine, oncology, and rare diseases. We never compromise on science or safety. We’re never satisfied with the status quo. We’re the Cure for the Common CRO. For more information, visit http://www.worldwide.com/.
