It’s NC Life Sciences Week!

NC Life Sciences Week has been a meaningful reminder that North Carolina’s life-sciences ecosystem is powered not only by scientific ambition, academic research, and innovation, but also by whether we design the work around the people it is intended to serve.

This week, I attended two complementary symposia:

At the 2026 Charlotte Regional Biomedical Science Symposium, the focus was on the growing research and innovation engine in Charlotte. UNC Charlotte’s Division of Research has helped propel the University to Carnegie R1 status while advancing a culture of research excellence, invention, entrepreneurship, and partnership. It was an engaging look at the momentum building across our region and at what becomes possible when we invest in the talent, infrastructure, and collaboration that translate ideas into impact.

At the first OneVoice Symposium: The Patient Perspective, held in Raleigh and beautifully co-hosted by the ACRP RTP Chapter and Univo IRB, the conversation brought the lived experience of research participants and caregivers into sharper focus.

A recurring message was that the participant experience does not end with informed consent. It includes the practical realities that shape every visit and decision afterward, such as clear and accessible information, the burden of schedules and travel, caregiver involvement, meaningful communication, and knowing where to turn when questions arise.

That message aligns closely with ICH E6(R3). Its principles are clear: the rights, safety, and well-being of participants must prevail over the interests of science and society; quality should be built into the scientific and operational design of a trial; and trial processes should be fit for purpose and proportionate to risk.

Today, on World Patient Safety Day, that connection feels especially relevant. Patient safety is not a moment in the study lifecycle or a box checked at consent. It is designed into the protocol, the operational model, the site and participant experience, and the way we anticipate and reduce unnecessary burden.

Grateful to the organizers, speakers, patient advocates, sponsors, and colleagues who made these conversations possible.