BrUOG staffers help faculty prepare and follow those protocols to ensure studies are well-organized. For example, the group collaborates with campus biostatisticians to help researchers design protocols, particularly the end-point question asked by a trial, and on the final analysis of data.
"Of all our responsibilities, the primary focus is to facilitate research protocols for studies initiated by our own physicians," said Teresa Kennedy, BrUOG administrative director. "We also strive to see that our own scientific questions and answers end up in the trials, and aid in getting patients into the trials and in publication of the data."
BrUOG publishes a quarterly newsletter that spotlights its studies. The current newsletter describes trials related to skin cancer and to tumors in the breast, pancreas, prostate, rectum, lungs, lymph nodes, gastric system and head and neck.
Last year, BrUOG researchers gained national recognition through their publications on methods of administering the drug paclitaxel.
Kennedy said BrUOG looks forward to expanding its program by fostering collaboration between basic and clinical scientists to enhance transfer of fundamental research findings to clinical use.
For more information, contact Kennedy at 863-9139, or via e-mail.