The global clinical research community will gather in Las Vegas from September 27-29, 2024, for the SOCRA Annual Conference. This year, we’re pleased to honor Dan Redline with the President’s Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions and dedication to advancing clinical research.
With a nearly three-decade career, Dan brings a wealth of experience in clinical research and regulatory affairs across various settings, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and academia. Dan has been a trailblazer in the field, overseeing global Phase I-IV IND and Class II/III IDE clinical trials and leading research teams. His involvement with SOCRA has been equally impactful, serving as speaker, faculty member, program co-chair, chapter chair, board member and president.
Dan Redline
BA, CCRP
In this interview, Dan (DR) shares insights into his career journey, passion for clinical research, and what he’s looking forward to at the upcoming Annual Conference.
SOCRA: What does receiving the 2024 President’s Award mean to you?
DR: Receiving the President’s Award is a profound honor. When I learned the news, I was both shocked and excited. Having previously presented this award when I was the president in 2013, it feels incredibly special to now be the recipient. With over 24 years in clinical research and 21 years with SOCRA, this award represents a significant milestone. I look forward to accepting it during the opening plenary at the conference on September 27th.
SOCRA: What inspired your career in clinical research, and what drives your passion?
DR: I began my career in premed at UC Berkeley, studying molecular and cell biology with an emphasis in neurobiology. My first experience with clinical research was during the mid-90s while working for the California Department of Health Services, where I processed specimens for HIV research studies. That initial exposure sparked my interest in the field. After a brief experience in medical school, I found myself at UC Davis as a staff research associate/ clinical research coordinator in ophthalmology. I handled consenting participants, testing, lab specimen processing, digital photography, and more, in that role. It was my first job on the patient side of clinical research, and the blend of medicine, science and technology was the perfect fit for me. Witnessing the impact of investigational drugs and devices, especially when participants were able to preserve or improve their vision, was incredibly rewarding. That direct impact on people’s lives has kept me in the industry. While not every drug or device works, the potential to help people is what drives me.
After my time in ophthalmology, I moved to the School of Medicine Dean’s Office and the NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Center, overseeing clinical research and research compliance across 34 departments and divisions. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience, reinforcing the importance of blending science, medicine, and genuine care for others—something that has driven me throughout my career.
From there, I moved to industry, first with a Merck affiliate, and then to Volcano Corporation (now Philips). After four years in leadership positions in cardiovascular research, I returned to UC Davis as the Director of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). This was a great opportunity for me to combine my regulatory knowledge and clinical experience in academia with my clinical experience in industry. I was lucky to receive the Chancellor’s STAR award for all our achievements and successes in this role.
I then moved back to industry, holding senior leadership roles at Gilead Sciences and NeuroVision, and gaining valuable experience in infectious diseases and Alzheimer’s disease. Today, I serve as the Senior Director of Global Clinical Affairs at Align Technology, overseeing global clinical research, data management and research development efforts in dentistry and orthodontics. Throughout all these roles, the consistent thread has been my passion for making a tangible difference in patients’ lives and advancing clinical research.
SOCRA: How has your career evolved over the years, and how has SOCRA influenced your path?
DR: SOCRA has played a significant role in shaping my career. Early on, I began speaking for SOCRA, which allowed me to share my growing expertise in various areas of clinical research. As my career progressed, I became a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) in 2003. This certification was a pivotal milestone for career growth that helped me advance from a Clinical Research Coordinator to a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator at UC Davis.
Eventually, I helped host the certification exam at UC Davis and became actively involved in the Northern California SOCRA chapter, taking over as Chair, and further fueling my career growth. Speaking at SOCRA events allowed me to cover many topics, from informed consent and recruitment to monitoring, project management, and overseeing project teams. My experience also extended into areas like IRBs, FDA regulations, and international regulations across Canada, Europe and Asia.
I’ve transitioned from academia to industry throughout my career, broadening my clinical and regulatory expertise and working with diverse teams. Beyond my professional roles, I remain deeply involved in education, teaching an online graduate-level Clinical Research Conduct & Management course at UC Berkeley Extension since 2009. Additionally, I give a guest lecture each spring to undergraduates and senior students at UC Berkeley, guiding them in clinical research and biotech. I also mentor senior undergrads in spinoff startups using tech from UC Berkeley, providing guidance on clinical research and strategy.
SOCRA has been there through every step of my journey, supporting my growth through networking and opportunities and enabling me to contribute to the clinical research community in a meaningful way. From certifications to leadership roles, SOCRA has provided me with the tools, connections, and opportunities to make a lasting impact on the field.
SOCRA: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s SOCRA Annual Conference?
DR: I’m excited about reconnecting with my longstanding colleagues, previous board members, and chapter chairs—it’s often the only time we get to see each other face-to-face, and I love catching up and sharing ideas with them. It’s always great to see SOCRA staff and prior board members who continue to attend the conference. I also look forward to meeting new faces. An organization needs new members, and they represent the future of clinical research. The breakout sessions have always been a highlight for me. They cover many topics, including updates, best practices, ethics, and new ways of doing things like consent. With the changes brought by COVID, I’m particularly interested in how the focus has shifted towards personalized medicine. The poster presentations are fascinating, as they connect basic science with the clinical side of research, offering fresh insights. Exploring the host cities is always fun, and this year in Las Vegas should be a great experience!
SOCRA: What advice do you have for fellow and aspiring professionals in clinical research and those attending this year’s Annual Conference?
DR: I highly recommend attending the SOCRA Annual Conference and participating in workshops, whether you want to deepen your knowledge, advance your career, or both. Networking at the conference is incredibly valuable—it’s how you stay updated on the latest topics and trends and is essential for professional development. The conference offers many continuing education opportunities, which are great if you want to renew certifications or expand your expertise. Whether you are interested in IRBs, FDA regulations, oncology or project management, or any other area of clinical research, the conference provides the knowledge and information you can bring back to your team and apply to your work.
I got into this field to help people live longer, healthier, and happier lives, and through SOCRA, I’ve been able to share that mission with others. SOCRA’s focus on quality research and education has personally benefited me, and it’s a resource that everyone in the industry can tap into. Clinical research and SOCRA truly go hand in hand. My involvement with SOCRA has helped me, my colleagues, and those I manage to grow in their careers. I encourage others to stick with SOCRA—it’s been a cornerstone of my career, and it can be the same for them.
Join Us at the 2024 SOCRA Annual Conference
Don’t miss the opportunity to join us at The Westgate in Las Vegas from September 27-29, 2024. With over 1,000 clinical research professionals expected, this three-day event will offer invaluable insights, interactive workshops, continuing education credit hours, and ample networking opportunities.
Please visit our website for conference information, and mark your calendars to connect, learn, and lead in the ever-evolving field of clinical research.
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- Source: https://www.socra.org/blog/celebrating-clinical-research-excellence-with-2024-presidents-award-winner-dan-redline-ba-ccrp-cip/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=celebrating-clinical-research-excellence-with-2024-presidents-award-winner-dan-redline-ba-ccrp-cip