Clinical Trials 101
Featuring Benjamin Joslin, CCRC, Clinical Research Project Manager, Northwestern University Feinberg School
Tuesday, December 8
12-1pm

The Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine is among the global leaders in ALS research. Our clinical research encompasses a broad range of work, including biomarker studies, open label therapeutic studies, natural history studies and clinical trials. Whether participating in innovative clinical trials or long-term observation studies, our work offers hope to persons living with ALS and their caregivers while also uncovering new information about this disease.

During this discussion, Benjamin will provide a basic understanding of ALS research and inform patients about how they can participate in clinical trials at our Center. He will go over the different aspects of clinical trials and their definitions, including phase I, II, III, IV trials and observational studies. He will also focus on prescreening procedures at Northwestern Medicine, placebo-controlled trials, and will highlight the breakthrough Healey Platform Trial. Finally, he will go over inclusion and exclusion criteria that would qualify or disqualify an individual living with ALS in current or future trials.

Benjamin was born and raised in Chicago. He graduated from Colby College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Neuroscience. Following his undergraduate studies, he enrolled in the Peace Corps, serving in Zambia for three years, where he focused on public health promotion, including the development of women’s groups, fighting HIV/AIDS through sports, and combating malaria.

Following the Peace Corps, Benjamin returned to Chicago to pursue a graduate degree in public health from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He has completed his coursework and is currently working on his thesis. While pursuing his graduate degree, he has been working as clinical research coordinator for Dr. Senda Ajroud-Driss, director of our Lois Insolia ALS Clinic at Northwestern Medicine. Together, they have grown her portfolio of neuromuscular research, namely ALS research, hereditary amyloidosis (AMY-LOY-DOSIS), and peripheral neuropathy.