The Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences has launched an initiative to facilitate the implementation of research protocols in the Clinical Research Unit (CRU). Investigators seeking to conduct studies in the CRU must receive the approval of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), Memorial Hermann Hospital, and the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS). Delays in study implementation, in some instances, stem from investigators’ lack of knowledge of the requirements and application processes of these review and approval boards. Also, for research novices, lack of experience in protocol development and study design can impede approval. To assist investigators over the hurdles of research approval, the CCTS formed SPARK, a multidisciplinary team with representatives from the CCTS/CRU, Memorial Hermann, and CPHS. Specifically, SPARK team areas of expertise include a biostatistics, epidemiology, human subjects/ethics, database design and management, budget development, funding and grant writing, grants management, FDA regulations, laboratory practices, clinical practice, and editing. The primary aim of SPARK is to shorten the time from submission of a protocol to the CRU to actual implementation of the study. Investigators planning to submit a protocol to the CRU are encouraged to meet with the SPARK team in the early planning stages for preliminary advice that may help them avoid deferrals, disapprovals, and other causes of delay.

Since its start in mid-2007, more than 10 investigators have taken advantage of the expert advice of the SPARK team. SPARK advisory sessions are scheduled on the first and third Thursday of each month, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. For more information, or to schedule a SPARK session, please contact Ruby Benjamin-Garner, PhD (Ruby.A.Benjamin-Garner@uth.tmc.edu), 713-704-1722.