📢 Important Announcement

We are excited to share that BMC and BU now have two (2) unified Clinical Research Units that will provide cutting-edge space in support of research across the two institutions. The two units provide the opportunity to expand research and provides the capacity to innovate. The unified BMC CRU and BU CTSI GCRU position our health systems to expand our clinical research portfolios through state-of-the-art spaces, skilled staffing, and a multidisciplinary approach. This collaboration aims to achieve the highest level of care in clinical research operations. In partnership with community organizations, we are committed to conducting research that continues to support and serve our diverse patient populations.

In order to serve you better and ensure that studies are conducted in a safe manner, we have developed an intake form that will be used to determine the acuity of each study, and which unit is most appropriate to implement you study.

For more details about the Clinical Research Units, including location, study transitions, costs, and decision-making processes, please refer to the CRU FAQs for Researchers below.


GCRU Clinical Research and Operations Services and Structure

The BU CTSI General Clinical Research Unit (GCRU) has provided critical support to clinical studies across the campus since its inception. The GCRU implemented COVID-19 related trials and provided excellent clinical support during the pandemic In line  with the CTSI’s vision, we believe that providing a clear scope of services and roles for the GCRU in the future will be beneficial.  Furthermore. We believe that this vision will provide a forward-looking  approach to maintain support for all investigators as well as defining and elucidating how CTSI efforts can collaborate with BMC in order to create research services that are synergistic and enable the growth of rigorous, high-quality in-patient research.Located on the 8th floor of the Evans Building on the Medical Campus, the GCRU provides study implementation services within the unit and beyond through its additional outreach services “GCRU Without Walls”. Services are provided across all BU schools, including the CRC and BMC.

Under the leadership of George O’Connor, MD, BU CTSI Director of Clinical Research and  Ridiane Denis, BS, RN, MD, GCRU Director of Clinical Research and Operations, the GCRU provides implementation and facilitation support to study teams and valuable services to a diverse population of research participants. Additional services, such as research coordinator support, protocol review, and study feasibility are available through the RNT. To learn more about all the services provided by the CTSI or to request a service, please visit the Research Navigator Team Webpage.

For studies implemented through the GCRU, staff will work closely with Study Teams to provide clear information regarding the budget and specific protocol implementation procedures required to complete the studies. Requests to use the RNT in the facilitation of clinical studies will be reviewed and approved by the Senior Research Navigator and the Director of Clinical Research Operations prior to the start of each study. An agreement will be created that will outline the services to be provided by the RNT that will include a timeline, specific services that will be provided, a budget and scope of work. Each request will be assessed separately and actual services provided are determined based on specific study needs, budgets and available resources.

The GCRU has been organized into eight (8) clusters with each cluster providing specific services or resources to optimize and provide functional  support for clinical research across Boston University and Boston Medical Center.