The University of Kansas Cancer Center Launches C-CLEAR Program for Aspiring Clinical Researchers

This summer, The University of Kansas Cancer Center launched the CAREERS in CLINICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM (C-CLEAR Program). This groundbreaking initiative is designed to introduce college students in the region to the dynamic and impactful field of clinical research.

The eight-week immersive program, spearheaded by Joseph Hines, II, MPH, senior director of research operations at KU Cancer Center, provides pre-medical students with a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to careers in clinical research. The inspiration for the C-CLEAR Program comes from Hines’ personal journey.

“I grew up in a small, rural, agricultural town in South Carolina, where our main crops were tobacco and cotton,” Hines said. “But my dream was to become a doctor.”

Hines attended an all-Black elementary school and a historically Black college/university (HBCU), where he experienced firsthand the limited exposure to diverse career opportunities. According to Hines, as a biology major his career options seemed confined to medicine, teaching or benchwork. By his senior year in college, Hines began to doubt whether practicing medicine was truly what he wanted to do after graduation. He ultimately decided against medical school and began pursuing a career in public health. This journey of exploring career options and finding the right fit motivated Hines to create the C-CLEAR Program.

“My inspiration for the C-CLEAR Program comes from a desire to offer students the opportunities and knowledge that I wish I had when I was starting my career,” Hines said. “If I had known that clinical research was an option for me, would the trajectory of my career path be different?”

Why Diversity Matters
In cancer research, a broad range of perspectives and experiences lead to more innovative solutions. Additionally, a diverse clinical research workforce helps to foster trust within underrepresented communities, leading to greater participation in clinical trials and ensuring that study results are more applicable to all population groups. However, minorities are underrepresented in clinical trials. According to a 2022 analysis, among 32,000 individuals who participated in new drug trials in the U.S. in 2020, only 8% were Black, 6% Asian and 11% Hispanic. A diverse pool of clinical trial participants enhances health equity by ensuring new treatments are safe and effective for all populations.

Programs like C-CLEAR, as well as the cancer center’s high school summer research program, Accelerate Cancer Education, help build a workforce that reflects the people it serves. C-CLEAR is unique because it takes place at the cancer center’s Clinical Trials Office, located in the JCERT-funded KU Clinical Research Center. According to Hines, while several programs nationally focus on developing people interested in basic sciences, few embed trainees directly in a clinical research environment.

Expanding Career Horizons
The C-CLEAR Program introduces students to clinical research and broadens their career horizons. Three pre-med students participating this year have interests in oncology and pediatric oncology. The program has opened their eyes to the wide range of careers available within clinical research. Students will go through much of the same training that a full-time Clinical Trials Office employee does.

“This is a great opportunity for students to understand where science and medicine intersect,” Hines said. “Students can start as clinical research coordinators, regulatory coordinators or data coordinators. If they go on to become doctors or physician assistants, they can become investigators, partner with pharmaceutical companies and develop new clinical trials.”

By the end of the program, participants will have earned their Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification, an internationally recognized qualification that ensures individuals involved in clinical research are knowledgeable about the ethical and scientific quality standards required for designing, conducting, recording and reporting clinical trials.

Exposure to Leading-Edge Research
While participating in C-CLEAR, students are also exposed to early-phase oncology research. This experience is particularly valuable because it provides a real-world look at how clinical research moves from the bench to bedside.

“KU Cancer Center is one of only a few institutions regionally with a dedicated space for early-phase research,” Hines said. “These are first-in-human models, moving compounds from the bench directly to human trials to assess safety and effectiveness. This internship offers students a rare chance to see groundbreaking science in action.”

By providing a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience within a real-world clinical setting, the C-CLEAR Program inspires the next generation of clinical researchers and healthcare professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make significant contributions to the field and the communities they serve.

“The world of clinical research is, in my opinion, endless,” Hines said. “There’s room for everybody to find their place in this field. The C-CLEAR program is that doorway into this new world.”