The Fortrea Podcast

In this episode, we hear from Sarah, a patient living with obesity and a passionate advocate, as she shares her personal experience participating in clinical trials. Sarah reflects on the emotional and practical motivations that drive patients to join studies—from the hope of accessing new treatments to the desire to contribute to scientific progress. She emphasizes the importance of transparency, empathy, and wraparound support in trial design, and how these elements can empower patients to stay engaged.

Sarah also discusses the challenges that can lead to disengagement, such as logistical burdens, unmet expectations, and lack of recognition for non-scale victories. Her insights highlight the need for patient-centric approaches that prioritize quality of life, reduce stigma, and treat obesity as a chronic condition. This episode offers a compelling look into the patient perspective and calls for a reimagining of clinical trial engagement strategies to better serve individuals living with obesity.

In this episode, we hear from Sarah, a patient living with obesity, as she shares her lifelong journey—from early body image struggles and restrictive dieting to participating in a televised weight-loss transformation. Despite achieving peak fitness and completing an Olympic triathlon, Sarah’s weight returned, prompting her to explore the science behind obesity. Her discovery of metabolic adaptation and set-point theory reframed her understanding of the condition—not as a personal failure, but as a complex, chronic disease.

Sarah candidly discusses the lack of empathy and support she received from healthcare professionals, who often dismissed her condition as a lifestyle issue. She calls for a systemic shift in how obesity is perceived and treated—emphasizing the need for education, policy change, and compassionate care. Her story is a powerful reminder that living with obesity is not a choice—and it calls for a significant shift in how we understand, support, and treat this complex, chronic condition.

Host: Amber Burg, Therapeutic Delivery Head of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology at Fortrea 

Participants: 

Abby Fuller, Senior Director of Strategic Delivery Growth in Neuroscience, Fortrea
 Walter Gonzalez, Associate Director, Digital Health and Innovation, Fortrea
 Haiyan Wei, SVP of Technology and Operations at AI Cure  

Description: From digital endpoint real-world examples to strategic insights, in this episode Fortrea’s Abby Fuller and Walter Gonzalez team up with Haiyan Wei, SVP of Technology and Operations at AI Cure to spotlight how neuroscience trials are turning this digital health innovation into real-world results. We go beyond the buzzwords to explore what’s actually working in the field with digital endpoints, when to invest, and how to choose the right partners. With honest lessons from the front lines and a look at what’s next, this episode is a practical guide for sponsors ready to move from pilot to scale. If you're aiming to make smarter, faster decisions in your neuroscience programs, this is the conversation that connects strategy with execution.

Host: Dr. Cheerag Shirodaria, VP and Cardiovascular/Metabolic Therapeutic Area Head, Fortrea

Participant: Chris Farina, Abcentra CEO 

Description: In episode two, the conversation turns to clinical development and the power of imaging biomarkers. Dr. Cheerag Shirodaria (Fortrea) and Chris Farina (Abcentra) delve into how innovations in technology and imaging, such as coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and the Fat Attenuation Index (FAI) are transforming risk stratification—reclassifying patients and identifying inflammation even in those with “normal” arteries. The episode also highlights the challenges of trial design in novel populations and the critical role of sponsor-CRO-vendor collaborations, including Fortrea’s CRO support. For pharma teams focused on precision medicine and inflammation-targeted therapies, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of cardiovascular care. 

Host: Amber Burg, Therapeutic Delivery Head of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology at Fortrea

Participants: 
Leone Atkinson, Executive Medical Director of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology at Fortrea
Alicia Baker, Vice President, Head of Global Regulatory Strategy at Fortrea

Description: Digital endpoints are no longer a future ambition—they’re shaping neuroscience trials today. In this episode, we explore how digital biomarkers are gaining traction, what regulators are saying, and how biotech leaders can confidently integrate these tools into their development strategies. With insights from the Neuroscience team at Fortrea, Amber Burg, Leone Atkinson, and Alicia Baker, we’ll unpack the current landscape, share real-world regulatory wins, and look ahead to what’s next, including AI and hybrid models. Whether you're just starting to explore digital endpoints or looking to push boundaries, this episode lays the groundwork for smarter, more precise neuroscience trials

Host: Dr. Cheerag Shirodaria, VP and Cardiovascular/Metabolic Therapeutic Area Head, Fortrea

Participant: Chris Farina, Abcentra CEO 

Description: Despite advances in lipid-lowering and antithrombotic therapies, residual cardiovascular risk remains a major challenge. In this episode, Dr. Cheerag Shirodaria, Fortrea's cardiovascular lead, and Chris Farina, CEO of Abcentra, explore the emerging science behind coronary inflammation as a key driver of atherosclerotic disease. They discuss why inflammation, particularly in vulnerable coronary plaques, is gaining traction as a therapeutic target, and talk about Abcentra’s first-in-class monoclonal antibody - designed to selectively quell inflammation in diseased arterial tissue. With insights from landmark trials, and a look at how these new options differs from systemic anti-inflammatory agents, this episode offers a compelling case for a paradigm shift in cardiovascular drug development. If you're working in CV research, this is a must-listen. 

Host: Amber Burg, Therapeutic Delivery Head of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology at Fortrea

Participants: 
Leone Atkinson, Executive Medical Director of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Fortrea
Robin Wolz, Chief Scientific Officer at Ixico 

Description: This episode features an insightful interview between Fortrea neuroscience leaders and experts from Ixico, focusing on novel imaging biomarkers in Parkinson's disease.  

Imaging biomarkers offer valuable insights into Parkinson's disease (PD) progression and can help distinguish it from other conditions. They can be used to identify the disease early, track its progression, and potentially improve clinical care and management.  

We discuss the importance of selecting the right biomarkers and explore various imaging approaches that can enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of clinical trials. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how these innovations are shaping the future of neuroscience research. 

Host: Amber Burg, Therapeutic Delivery Head of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology at Fortrea

Participants: 
Joanie Brown, Head of Operations at our Rapid Development Studio AI/ML, Fortrea
Mark Austin, CTO at Ixico 

Description: In this episode of the Fortrea neuroscience podcast, we explore how AI is transforming Parkinson’s research—from bold promises to practical breakthroughs. 

Fortrea’s Amber Burg sits down with Joanie Brown, Head of Operations at our Rapid Development Studio AI/ML and Mark Austin, CTO at Ixico, to unpack the evolving role of artificial intelligence in clinical trials. Together, they dive into how AI is being used to enhance imaging, accelerate trial timelines, and improve patient stratification in Parkinson’s disease. 

Listeners will hear real-world examples of AI-powered tools in action - from automated biomarker quantification to predictive modelling - and how these innovations are already delivering measurable gains in trial efficiency. The conversation also tackles the big questions around trust, transparency, and regulatory readiness, offering a candid look at what it takes to build confidence in AI-driven research. 

Whether you're navigating your first AI-enabled trial or scaling your next one, this episode offers practical insights and fresh perspectives from the front lines of neuroscience innovation.

In our third episode, we discuss collaboration between Contract Research Organizations and biotech companies, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding in clinical trials.

Our moderator, Dr. Ken Park, is joined by an exceptional group of speakers: Tracy Newbold, VP of Clinical Operations at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals; Terry Athreya, SVP and Global Head of Clinical Operations for Fortrea; and Alaric Jackson, Chief Technology and Data Officer at Fortrea.

This episode explores innovative approaches to enhance productivity within clinical trials, focusing on the use of technology and data-driven strategies.

Our moderator, Dr. Ken Park, is joined by an exceptional group of speakers: Tracy Newbold, VP of Clinical Operations at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals; Terry Athreya, SVP and Global Head of Clinical Operations for Fortrea; and Alaric Jackson, Chief Technology and Data Officer at Fortrea.