Conversations around fertility and IVF are often filled with stigma, silence, and stories rooted in struggle. But what happens when the conversation shifts toward empowerment, proactive care, and choice?

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda speaks with Norchelle Brown about her personal egg freezing and IVF journey as a Black woman navigating reproductive healthcare. 

From emotional preparation and daily injections to financial considerations and representation in fertility clinics, Norchelle offers an honest and transparent look into a process many women are curious about but rarely hear discussed openly within their communities.

This conversation highlights why inclusive healthcare conversations matter and why representation, awareness, and community-centered education are essential in reproductive health spaces.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Reclaiming Choice: Why Norchelle decided to pursue egg freezing proactively rather than waiting until fertility challenges arose
• Taking the Clock Off the Table: How fertility preservation helped remove pressure and anxiety around timelines and life decisions
• Representation in Fertility Care: The emotional impact of navigating fertility clinics where very few patients or providers reflected her identity
• The Reality Behind IVF: Breaking down misconceptions about injections, procedures, recovery, and what the process actually feels like
• Financial and Insurance Barriers: Why understanding insurance coverage and fertility networks can make a major difference in access to care

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In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren sits down with Sam Chung, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and External Affairs at California Life Sciences, to discuss California's proposed AB 1776 legislation and why many in the life sciences community believe it could significantly impact clinical research and patient access.

Sam explains how the bill could unintentionally create legal barriers that discourage partnerships, slow innovation, reduce investment in biotechnology, and make it more difficult to conduct clinical trials. Together, they explore how these changes could disproportionately affect underserved communities that often rely on clinical research as a pathway to treatment.

The conversation also highlights the importance of educating policymakers and communities alike, emphasizing that protecting innovation ultimately means protecting patients.

🎧 Tune in for an important conversation about health policy, research, and why patient voices must remain at the center of every decision.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Understanding AB 1776 - Learn why this proposed legislation has raised concerns across California's life sciences community.
• Innovation Starts with Patients - Discover how policies affecting research can directly influence patient access to new treatments.
• Why Clinical Trials Matter - Explore how slowing research could delay lifesaving therapies and reduce opportunities for diverse participation.
• Education Drives Better Policy - Hear why engaging lawmakers, organizations, and communities is essential for informed decision making.
• Protecting the Future of Research - Understand why collaboration between researchers, industry, advocates, and communities is critical for continued medical innovation.

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In this special compilation episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren brings together powerful moments and voices that highlight the heart of this movement: community, trust, and representation.

From the importance of physician and community partnerships to the role of mentorship and education, this conversation emphasizes that meaningful change requires both awareness and action. It also celebrates a powerful shift:communities are no longer just participants in research, but they are shaping it.

This episode is a reminder that inclusive science is better science, and that building trust, staying curious, and continuing the work, together, is how we move forward.

🎧 Tune in for a powerful reflection on representation, resilience, and the future of inclusive research.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Trust Through Partnership: Building relationships with both community leaders and healthcare providers is key to increasing participation and trust in research.
• Education First: Awareness is the foundation—understanding clinical research empowers communities to make informed decisions.
• Representation Matters: Without diverse participation, we cannot fully understand how treatments work across different populations.
• Community as Change Agents: Communities are no longer passive participants—they are shaping conversations, asking questions, and demanding representation.
• The Power of Mentorship: Lifting the next generation ensures that diverse voices continue to grow within science, medicine, and research.
• Resilience in the Work: Staying hopeful, curious, and connected helps sustain the long-term effort required to create meaningful change.

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In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren speaks with Mary McGowan, President and CEO of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, about the importance of awareness, policy change, and patient-centered solutions in advancing health equity.

Mary shares insights on sarcoidosis, a complex and often misunderstood inflammatory disease that disproportionately impacts communities of color, especially Black women. 

As they dive deep into conversation, they explore the importance of initiatives like Champions for Change, which encourage organizations to provide paid time off for clinical trial participation, and emphasize the need for collaboration across community groups, researchers, and industry leaders.

This episode is a reminder that meaningful change happens when we listen to communities, take action on what we hear, and keep patients at the center of every decision.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Raising Awareness: Understanding sarcoidosis and why awareness is critical, especially in underserved communities
• Beyond Trust: Recognizing that lack of awareness and not being asked are major barriers to clinical trial participation
• Policy in Action: How community feedback led to FMLA protections for clinical trial participants
• Breaking Barriers: Addressing real-life challenges like job security, finances, and access
• Power of Patient Voice: How listening to communities can drive nationwide change
• Collaboration Matters: Why partnerships between organizations, communities, and industry are essential
• Sustainable Change: The importance of ongoing education, advocacy, and awareness

About Mary

Mary McGowan is the President and CEO of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, the leading international organization dedicated to improving the lives of those living with sarcoidosis. She leads efforts to improve clinical trial access, advance shared decision-making, and accelerate drug development.

Through initiatives like the Ignore No More Campaign, the Coalition to Advance Clinical Trial Engagement, and the FSR Global Sarcoidosis Clinic Alliance, Ms. McGowan is recognized for her strategic and collaborative leadership in advancing impactful, scalable solutions for rare disease patients.

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Access to healthcare, awareness, and trust in medical research remain ongoing challenges for many underserved communities.

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda speaks with Nicholas Jackson, founder of iHealth Network, about how culturally tailored media can bridge communication gaps and improve clinical research participation.

Nick shares how the loss of his mother and grandmother shaped his mission to advance health equity, emphasizing the importance of early detection, education, and access to resources. 

The conversation also highlights a critical shift in perspective: the gap is not only about trust but also about awareness and access. 

Together, they discuss how researchers and sponsors must engage communities with intention, show up consistently, and build relationships that go beyond short term projects.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Personal Inspiration: How Nicholas Jackson’s personal loss fueled his mission to improve health outcomes and close life expectancy gaps
• Awareness vs Trust: Understanding that lack of awareness and access can be just as significant as trust in limiting clinical trial participation
• Tailored Media Matters: Why culturally relevant messaging and representation are essential for building connection and engagement
• Community Engagement: The importance of showing up consistently and building relationships before making an ask
• Rethinking Outreach: Moving beyond one size fits all strategies to intentional, community centered communication
• Sustainable Impact: Why ongoing presence, even beyond funded projects, is key to maintaining trust

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Research isn’t just happening in labs. It’s happening in your everyday life.

In this solo episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, I break down how research quietly shapes the products we use, the health choices we make, and the options available to our communities every day.

From health and beauty to food, fitness, and mental health, research has evolved to better reflect real people and real needs, especially in Black and Brown communities that have historically been excluded from these conversations.

This episode is about recognizing research as a tool, understanding how it already supports us, and staying curious enough to ask better questions.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by research or unsure how it applies to your life, this episode will shift the way you see it.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Research Beyond the Lab: From skincare and haircare to fitness tools and nutrition guidance.
• Representation Is Progress: More inclusive research has led to better options for textured hair, melanin-rich skin, and diverse bodies.
• Knowledge Creates Choice: Research gives us language to ask better questions and make informed decisions about our health.
• Mental Health Matters: Open conversations, tools, and resources around mental health are the result of research meeting real-life needs.
• Curiosity Over Perfection: Staying curious leads to better questions, better choices, and healthier communities.

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History shapes the present and the future of research in Black communities.

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Ren speaks with Dr. Crystal Glover, applied social psychologist and associate professor at UC Irvine, about conducting research with dignity, relevance, and respect for historically underserved communities.

Dr. Glover discusses the resilience of Black communities, the importance of mentorship, and how inclusive research empowers communities, increases participation in clinical studies, and strengthens networks of Black scientists and healthcare providers.

This episode encourages listeners to stay curious, uplift the next generation, and ensure research reflects the full richness of lived experiences.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Reflecting on History: Understanding past injustices and their impact on trust in research
• Resilience and Thriving: Celebrating the strength and diversity of Black communities
• Mentorship Matters: The role of mentorship in shaping future scientists and healthcare providers
• Research With Dignity: Designing studies that honor community experiences and ensure cultural relevance
• Future Vision: Inspiring more Black scientists, healthcare providers, and participants to engage and create solutions through science

About Dr. Glover:

Dr. Crystal M. Glover is an applied social psychologist, mixed methodologist, and Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine.

She has designed and built a program of research focused on addressing challenges related to brain health and facilitating optimal outcomes in aging for all. She also serves as the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging (BSEA), the newest member in the Alzheimer’s Association family of scientific journals, and a board member of the Orange County Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

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Trust and equity in research begin with acknowledging the lived experiences of communities.

In this solo episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, I speak honestly about fear, unrest, and lived experience and how they shape health equity and clinical research participation. I reflect on the current realities impacting Black and Brown communities and why research cannot be separated from what people are living through in real time.

I share why trust is built in moments like these, why silence is not neutral, and why ethical research must always center humanity. 

This episode is an invitation to reflect on responsibility, hope, and how we can move research forward in ways that are inclusive, equitable, and deeply human.

Tune in to hear why centering humanity is essential to health equity and ethical research.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Fear as a Barrier: Fear in communities is a real social determinant of health that directly impacts healthcare access, research participation, and trust in systems.
• Trust Cannot Be Conditional: Trust is built when communities are seen, heard, and treated with dignity, and it is broken when efficiency or control outweighs humanity.
• Responsibility in Research: Silence or inaction during moments of community unrest communicates priorities; ethical leadership requires acknowledging and responding to these realities.
• Centering Humanity: Health equity cannot exist in a climate of fear. Research and healthcare must prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of the people they serve.
• Hope Through Action: Real change begins with individuals and communities acting intentionally, not just relying on policy or institutional shifts.

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Health equity starts with inclusive research.

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren speaks with Dr. Camille Campbell, Biogen’s Lead for Health Equity and Clinical Innovation, about the critical work of making clinical research inclusive and representative. Dr. Campbell shares her experiences bridging the gap between pharmaceutical research and historically marginalized communities, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are and building trust.

She also dives into practical strategies for increasing diversity in clinical trials, including leveraging technology and engaging community sites.

Tune in for a compelling conversation on inclusion, trust, and the long-term work required to advance health equity in clinical research.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Assumptions vs. Reality: Simply having a trial site in a city does not guarantee participation from the target population; community satellite sites and protocol flexibility are key.
• Technology with Intention: Digital tools can expand reach, but strategies must consider generational and cultural differences in technology use.
• Representation Builds Trust: Seeing people with shared backgrounds in research and pharma strengthens community engagement and participation.
• Patient Empowerment: Communities should feel confident asking questions, seeking expert guidance, and making informed healthcare decisions.
• Persistence is Key: Change in health equity and clinical research is incremental, requiring ongoing effort and resilience.

About Dr. Campbell

Camille Campbell, PharmD, RPh is a healthcare leader with 18+ years’ experience in biopharma, health-tech, community engagement, and clinical care. She is Lead for Health Equity & Clinical Innovation at Biogen, previously serving as Senior Director of Health Equity at Acclinate and holding Medical Affairs roles at AstraZeneca and Abbvie.

Dr. Campbell champions workforce representation and inclusive research, creating programs for HBCU students and sharing expertise through presentations, publications, and podcasts. She earned her PharmD from Florida A&M University, completed a Post-Doctoral Medical Strategy Fellowship with Bristol-Myers Squibb/Rutgers, and holds a graduate certificate in Health Disparities Research from the University of Illinois Chicago. She is Principal Owner of Bella Peek Consulting, LLC.

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In this inspiring episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren Jones is joined by Zachariah Martinez, the first young guest to ever appear on the podcast. Zachariah shares his personal experience participating in pediatric clinical studies and explains how getting involved not only benefited science but also improved his mood, routines, and overall well-being.

Dr. Ren and Zachariah discuss what it’s really like for kids inside clinical studies: the procedures, the compensation, the support from research staff, and the importance of feeling safe and heard. They highlight why pediatric participation is essential for advancing science and ensuring treatments are safe and effective for younger populations.

Zachariah also speaks directly to other kids who may be curious about research, offering encouragement, honesty about the process, and advice for researchers on how to better support young participants from all backgrounds.

🎧 Tune in for a rare conversation that elevates youth voices in research and reminds us why representation, from childhood onward, matters for the future of science.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Why Pediatric Research Matters: Children help answer critical scientific questions that can’t be solved through adult studies alone.
• Real Benefits of Participation: From compensation to personal growth, Zach shares how being in a study improved his routine and happiness.
• Safety & Comfort: The importance of kind, attentive research staff—especially when procedures involve needles or overnight stays.
• Representation from a Young Voice: Zach highlights why kids need to feel respected, listened to, and supported throughout the research process.
• Advice for Future Studies: Simple, powerful suggestions from a participant’s perspective on improving pediatric research experiences.

About Zachariah 

Zachariah Martinez is a 13-year-old from Southern California who loves science, health, and helping others. At just 11 years old, he participated in the NIH-funded MoTrPAC study at UC Irvine.

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Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!