Clinical Trial Support Unit

The Clinical Trial Support Unit (CTSU) provides best-in-class, patient-centric, clinical research coordination services and support toward the advancement of medical research and improvement of healthcare through clinical trials in a highly compliant regulatory environment. We facilitate and support investigator sites throughout the complete study life cycle including start-up, management, and close-out of clinical trials across a diverse range of therapeutic areas. Our unit supports investigator-initiated research from principal investigators across Canada and the U.S., and industry-sponsored research from pharmaceutical and biotech companies as well as charitable organizations. Contact our wonderful team for details.

For new service requests please complete the Intake Form

For questions regarding CTSU Operations: ctsu.operations@usask.ca

For questions regarding CTSU Contracts: ctsu.contracts@usask.ca

For questions regarding CTSU Accounting: ctsu.accounting@usask.ca

For all other CTSU inquiries: ctsu.admin@usask.ca

We are initiating a more rigorous intake process. Upon submission, we will reach out to request the necessary study documents. The review process will take approximately 1–2 weeks, during which we will carefully assess our capacity to meet your needs.

CTSU Intake Form

Meet Our Team

Vacant

Vice-Dean of Research, Clinical, Health Sciences and Population Health

ovdr.vicedeanresearch@usask.ca

Dr. Haissam Haddad

Clinical Executive Advisor

(306)844-1132
haissam.haddad@usask.ca

An esteemed cardiology researcher with over 250 publications, Dr. Haddad BSc, MD, FRCPC, FACC, FAAC, is a Professor of Cardiology and the Unified Head of Medicine for both the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Health Region. His position as Clinical Executive Advisor works closely with the leadership team to provide oversight and guidance for CTSU operations. All decisions regarding the CTSU are reviewed and approved by this position.

Megan Truscott

Director of Research

(306)966-6516
megan.truscott@usask.ca

The Director of Research oversees the administration of the Office of the Vice-Dean Research and Clinical Trial Support Unit and is a key member of the Vice-Dean Research leadership team. Megan provides guidance and direction to the fantastic lineup of OVDR and CTSU staff, and sets team and individual priorities. This position works with departments, senior leaders, and other key stakeholders across the College of Medicine and larger University community in order to assist the Vice-Dean Research and the entire portfolio to achieve its strategic goals.

Keleigh Garcea

Project Manager – Clinical Operations

ctsu.operations@usask.ca

The Project Manager – Clinical Operations is a term position that will work closely with the Director to evaluate the current operations, identify areas for improvement and implement new policies and procedures that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit.

The Project Manager’s expertise lies in orchestrating cross-functional teams, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

Travis Beauchemin

Contract Specialist

ctsu.contracts@usask.ca

The Contract Specialist is responsible for the development, drafting, negotiation and execution of Clinical Trial contractual arrangements for the Clinical Trials Support Unit (CTSU). The Contract Specialist coordinates with Sponsors and key stakeholders, including the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA), to support contract negotiation. In addition, the Contract Specialist is responsible for staying informed of industry practices to help all Saskatchewan stakeholders achieve their goals. This role provides oversight of the Contracts Support Specialist and Admin portfolio.

Chantal Jantzen

Research Financial Analyst

ctsu.accounting@usask.ca

The Research Financial Analyst is key to the achievement of financial operations, including budget development, monthly financial reporting, quarterly forecasting, detailed variance analysis, and year-end reporting. This position acts as the financial liaison for all things research within the College of Medicine. The analyst provides analytical proficiency with regard to the full range of fund types while actively ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.

Nayoung Kim

Contract Support Specialist

(306)966-6957
ctsu.contracts@usask.ca

The Contract Support Specialist is the first point of contact for all contract related items regarding clinical trial research at the University of Saskatchewan. She oversees and manages clinical trial contracts for the Legal Counsel and Clinical Trial Support Unit team. This includes administrative, planning, and contract management support and expertise in order to facilitate the initiation, progress, and completion of clinical trial contract agreements of the CTSU.

Colton Holmes

Research Finance Coordinator

ctsu.invoicing@usask.ca

The Research Finance Coordinator provides detailed research finance services and finance administrative support for the Vice-Dean of Research and Clinical Trial Support Unit teams. This includes support to research finance and finance activities, internal funding initiatives and clinical trial finance operations in order to facilitate major initiatives of the OVDR and CTSU.

Kari Boudreau

Research Administrative Coordinator

kari.boudreau@usask.ca

The Research Administrative Coordinator provides detailed research and office administrative support to the Vice-Dean of Research and Clinical Trial Support Unit teams. This encompasses providing administrative support, overseeing office processes, coordinating events, and ensuring the seamless facilitation of key initiatives within the OVDR and CTSU.

Amy Wright

Administrative Coordinator

ctsu.admin@usask.ca

The CTSU Administrative Coordinator is responsible for populating regulatory documents, managing equipment calibration, and ensuring team members are up to date on all regulatory requirements and certifications. This role also involves assisting team members with various administrative tasks to support the smooth operation of our unit.

Clinical Research Professionals

Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) provide clinical project management services to support and facilitate the regulatory, budget and ethical aspects of clinical development. Our team of CRPs fully understand the clinical trial landscape in the context of regulatory environment. They are abreast with the evolving regulatory landscape and apply current standards to ensure quality deliverables. Our CRPs are also members at Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) and offer best-in class services to our sites and investigators. The CRPs participate in the development of clinical research projects as well as provide logistical guidance and act as an educational resource for the research community.

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Yessica Lopez Hernandez headshot

Yessica Lopez Hernandez

CRP Manager

Amanjot Kaur

Dr. Rahul Mandlik

Salima Nazim Meghani

Simona Meier

Valeryia Rzheuskaya

Clinical Research Coordinators

Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) proficiently assist the Principal Investigator and associated research team through providing research coordination and support. This position utilizes good judgment and decision making, follows procedures and guidelines set by the PI, and collaborates closely with the research team. The CRCs expertise ensures a safe environment for research participants and staff.

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Janet Peters

Clinical Research Nurses

Clinical Research Nurses (CRNs) provide similar support to the Principal Investigator and associated research team as their non-RN counterparts. In addition to research coordination, CRNs hold Nursing degrees and can perform per-protocol medical procedures that fall within the nursing scope of practice. The CRNs expertise ensures a safe environment for research participants and staff.

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