Professor Rajat Thawani hosted a two-day medical training workshop on clinical research and trial design on December 10–11, 2024, as part of his project under the Provost Global Faculty Awards (PGFA) 2024–2025. The workshop was jointly organized by bcpbf-THE CANCER FOUNDATION, University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), Delhi, and the UChicago Center in Delhi.
With India now being the world’s most populous nation, its potential to lead in global drug development and clinical trials remains underutilized contributing just 1.5% to global trials. A major barrier has been a shortage of well-trained professionals in clinical research. This workshop directly addressed that gap by equipping early-career faculty, consultants, and advanced trainees with practical skills in clinical trial design, logistics, regulatory frameworks, and funding mechanisms.
Led by Professor Thawani and Dr. Sameer Kaul, the sessions emphasized real-world applications and ethical standards essential for expanding India’s role in global trials. Participants received certification upon completion, and the organizers shared plans to expand this capacity-building initiative to more cities and similarly underserved regions. The event marked a key step toward developing a robust clinical research ecosystem in India.
