Dr. Alexa Boer Kimball came to Partners HealthCare in October 2004 as director of the first joint clinical trials unit across Partners HealthCare System. Under Dr. Kimball's leadership, the mission of CURTIS (Clinical Unit for Research Trials in Skin) is to provide quality and cutting-edge research at both MGH and BWH. CURTIS investigators are currently working on both investigator-initiated and industry sponsor-initiated studies that range from Phase I through Phase IV. CURTIS has been involved in over 30 trials, including evaluations of potential treatment for pemphigus vulgaris, lichen planus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, cutaneous t-cell lymphoma, and striae gravidarum.

The Office of Corporate Sponsored Clinical Research (CSCR) has been actively involved with Dr. Kimball's group to develop contracts that support this unique research setting. By working with corporate sponsors and internal research support departments, Fred Frankhauser, RPh, JD, a senior clinical research agreement associate at CSCR, has been able to streamline the contracting process and speed up study initiation for CURTIS studies.

When asked about the role of CSCR in her research program, Dr. Kimball replied, “Fred Frankhauser has been absolutely instrumental in the success of the unit so far. His thoughtful and timely execution of our agreements is the cornerstone of getting our projects launched—and is changing our reputation into a place that is easy to work with.”

»View other clinical investigator spotlights: BWH Cardiac Catheterization Clinical Trial Unit,
Dr. Samuel Z. Goldhaber, Dr. Alexa Kimball , Dr. Maurizio Fava, Dr. Steven Grinspoon