At Velocity Clinical Research Albuquerque, clinical research is being delivered in a way that reflects the community it serves.
Led by Dr. Sara Friedman, a Principal Investigator with a background in OB/GYN, the Albuquerque site is a female-led team focused on women’s health and vaccines. Their work sits at the intersection of scientific rigor and community engagement, bringing clinical trials closer to patients who have historically been overlooked.
The site has conducted more than 15 vaccine trials and played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic, enrolling both adults and children at a critical time for public health. Alongside this, the team continues to build depth in women’s health research, an area that remains underrepresented across the industry.
Strengthening Women’s Health Research
Women still account for only around one-third of participants in early-phase clinical trials. This gap has real consequences for how treatments are developed and understood. Dr. Friedman’s work at the site is shaped by her role within Velocity’s Women’s Health CARE Council, a global initiative focused on improving how women are recruited, supported, and retained in clinical trials.
This approach is visible at site level. Recruitment is only one part of the equation. Retention, patient comfort, and ongoing communication are equally important. Many women face barriers to participation, including caregiving responsibilities and time constraints, which require a more considered and flexible approach to trial design and delivery.
At Albuquerque, this is combined with a broader focus on inclusivity, particularly in engaging Native American communities.
Addressing Underrepresentation in Native American Communities
Clinical research has long struggled with representation. Native American populations remain significantly underrepresented in trials, often due to deep-rooted distrust and a lack of sustained engagement from research organizations. The Albuquerque team is actively working to address this through community outreach, culturally aware communication, and a long-term commitment to building trust.
This kind of work is not widely adopted across the industry. It requires time, consistency, and a shift in how sites view their role within the community.
Expanding Access to New Treatments
All patients at the site are gaining access to investigational treatments across areas such as obesity, infectious diseases, and preventative care. For many, participation offers early access to therapies that would otherwise be unavailable, while contributing to the development of medicines that will be used globally.
Supported by Velocity’s VISION platform, the team is able to connect patients with relevant studies and maintain consistent communication throughout the process, helping to reduce drop-off and improve engagement.
The Albuquerque site reflects a broader shift in how clinical research is being delivered. It is locally embedded, clinically specialized, and intentionally inclusive.
Under Dr. Sara Friedman’s leadership, the site is helping to ensure that clinical trials better reflect the populations they are designed to serve.
