National Clinical Trials Methodology Course Equips Emerging Investigators to Advance Neurological Research
The Clinical Trials Methodology Course (CTMC), funded by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), continues to shape the future of neurological research by training early-career investigators in the design and execution of clinical trials. Now in its second year of being administered by the University of Virginia, the CTMC aims to strengthen the pipeline of skilled clinical researchers, ultimately accelerating progress in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders.
The program includes webinars, weekly office hours, and culminates in a three-day residential meeting. This year’s meeting was held in Charlottesville from June 23–26, 2025 and featured participation from renowned faculty in neurological clinical trials and four NINDS representatives: Adam Hartman, Lumi Sawaki-Adams, Tish Weigand, and Clint Wright, Associate Director for NINDS and Director of the Division of Clinical Research.
“CTMC is more than a training program—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of clinical researchers,” Dr. Mark Quigg, Professor of Neurology and Principal Investigator for CTMC at the University of Virginia, said. “By focusing on mentorship and rigorous methodology, we’re helping investigators build trials that are not only feasible, but also impactful.”
Each year, a select group of early-career investigators is chosen through a competitive application process to participate in the six-month program. Trainees enter the course with a clinical trial concept developed in collaboration with a local mentor. Once accepted, they are placed into small groups consisting of three faculty mentors—two clinicians and one biostatistician—and three trainees. These groups work intensively to refine each trial proposal into a feasible and scientifically rigorous protocol.
"As a surgeon scientist I've struggled to identify collaborators and mentors with expertise in clinical trial methodology,” 2025 trainee Daryl Fields said. “The lecture and discussion-based sessions allowed me to interact with representative from the NIH, as well as leading clinical trialist from other institutions. I received direct feedback on my project while building relationships with individuals I plan to connect with after the course. This was an excellent instructional course, but was also a great opportunity to expand my professional network.”
The course also emphasizes collaboration with NINDS research networks such as NeuroNEXT, StrokeNet, and SIREN. Many CTMC faculty are affiliated with these networks and encourage trainees to align their projects with network goals.
Dr. Karen Johnston, UVA’s Associate Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research, has served as course faculty many times since the inaugural Vail course in 2012. “The CTMC is a wonderful national training program, especially for the early career researchers. Now more than ever it is so important to support our physician scientists and other clinical scientists in the rigorous methodology of clinical trials. This program fills a critical gap in research education and it has become a national model for training clinical trialists.”
CTMC alumni have a strong track record of securing extramural funding and building lasting careers in clinical research. The 2025 cohort includes investigators from institutions across the country, each working on innovative trials addressing a wide range of neurological conditions.
"CTMC gave me the tools and confidence to move my research agenda forward," said trainee Kevin Baumgartner. “The mentorship and peer support were invaluable—I left Charlottesville re-energized with new ideas and a network I'll rely on for years to come.”
For more information, including a list of this year’s faculty open access resources, and how to apply next year, visit the CTMC website. The CTMC is funded by the NINDS under grant R25NS138633.