Daniel A. Perez is a rebel in clinical research and passionate advocate for diversity and equity in healthcare. With a servant's heart and desire to lead, he elevates those around him while challenging the industry status quo. In this episode we chat about the state of the industry and what may transform the relationships with investigators and what is necessary to create a successful ecosystem at the site level. We talk about the importance of resources, education and financial compensation, layered in with empathy.  

A Los Angeles native, Daniel’s passion for clinical research materialized over a decade ago, when a new diagnosis forced him to face critical treatment options evolving only as fast as clinical trials allowed. It was during this experience when he recognized his fortune in benefitting from clinical research-fueled medical breakthroughs, as well as the unnecessary dysfunction and inefficiency that existed within this same space. With a newfound desire to make an impact on the traditional clinical trial paradigm, Daniel entered the neurosciences department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where his talent and motivation led to several quick promotions within academia. It was in his expansive role as Clinical Research Manager at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) where Daniel fine-tuned his talents across all regulatory, managerial and operational aspects of clinical research. After recognizing the amplified impact possible outside of traditional medical institutions, and experiencing MACRO as a clinical operations consultant, he made the leap and joined MACRO full time. At MACRO, Daniel combined his meticulous operational acumen with his comprehensive research and regulatory expertise to help bring their vision into a tangible reality.

Daniel leads by constantly questioning how things have always been done, and continuously evaluating the clinical research process through the lens of the human subjects on which they are based. Daniel cofounded the Coalition for Advancing Research Equity (CARE) and also serves as a founding board member for Clinical Trials in Color, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation with a mission to improve health outcomes in communities of color by increasing diversity and access to clinical trials. Daniel is currently the Global Head, Patient Experience, Diversity & Inclusion at Worldwide Clinical Trials.