“It might take me out, but it's gonna have to chase me down to do it.” – Shanell Matlock In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with Emmitt Henderson III — founder of Male Lupus Warriors — and Shanell Matlock, his partner and fellow advocate. Together, they open up about the raw realities of living with chronic illness, navigating kidney failure, and learning how to love, support, and grow through the chaos. Emmitt shares how lupus transformed his life an...
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“It might take me out, but it's gonna have to chase me down to do it.” – Shanell Matlock In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with Emmitt Henderson III — founder of Male Lupus Warriors — and Shanell Matlock, his partner and fellow advocate. Together, they open up about the raw realities of living with chronic illness, navigating kidney failure, and learning how to love, support, and grow through the chaos. Emmitt shares how lupus transformed his life an...
“It might take me out, but it's gonna have to chase me down to do it.” – Shanell Matlock In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with Emmitt Henderson III — founder of Male Lupus Warriors — and Shanell Matlock, his partner and fellow advocate. Together, they open up about the raw realities of living with chronic illness, navigating kidney failure, and learning how to love, support, and grow through the chaos. Emmitt shares how lupus transformed his life an...
"Translations aren't just helpful — they're essential." In this episode, Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with Ricky Ricardo Villa, owner of Casa Sur Hacienda and a dedicated community leader who has been helping Diverse Research Now bring clinical trial education to Spanish-speaking communities. They talk about the importance of accurate translation and interpretation at research events and how language is deeply connected to culture, trust, and access. Ricky shares why adapting messages to refle...
Prescreening gives us a chance to educate before decisions are made. In this solo episode, I talk about why prescreening is one of the most important and overlooked steps in the clinical trial process. At Diverse Research Now, we use Advocate Assisted Prescreening to bridge the gap between clinical trials and the communities that are too often left out. Through health fairs, community events, and real conversations, I have seen how trust and education help open doors. Inclusion does not begin...
“Let’s stop just talking about inclusion. Let’s go do the work.” Host Dr. Ren Jones talks with Dr. Jazmine Crain, founder of Covalent Clinical Research, about building real trust and access in clinical research—starting in Mississippi. Dr. Crain shares how she meets communities where they are, from churches to clinics, making research visible and relevant. Together, they call on sponsors and researchers to invest in underserved areas, build infrastructure, and partner with local leaders...
“Just because we’re slowing down doesn’t mean we’re stopping.” In this special solo episode, I share some exciting updates, a few changes, and what’s ahead for Voices of Inclusive Research. We’re shifting from a biweekly release to a monthly schedule so I can pace myself and still show up with the energy this work deserves. Don’t worry—we’re still here, and I’m still committed to amplifying the voices of our community. I also share a behind-the-scenes look at our second annual Community Clini...
What happens when a passion for research runs in the family? In this heartfelt episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Renarda Jones is joined by her sister, Elisha Butts—a clinical research professional with over 13 years of experience. Together, they reflect on their parallel journeys from Alzheimer’s research assistants to community-engaged advocates for inclusive science. Elisha shares her unique perspective as a coverage analyst in pediatric clinical trials, offering insights i...
What does it take to move health equity from conversation to action? In this special episode, Dr. Renarda Jones brings us inside the Health Equity Congress—where powerful voices from across disciplines gathered to reimagine inclusion in research and care. From bedside insights to boardroom strategies, you’ll hear from public health professionals, researchers, and community leaders who are challenging systems and championing equity. These conversations underscore the urgency of cultural humili...
"I didn’t choose caregiving—it chose me." In this deeply moving episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with Carla Preyer, founder of From the Salon Chair to Self-Care and advocate for dementia caregivers. Carla shares the powerful story of caring for her husband, Patrick, through his eight-year battle with Lewy body dementia—a journey filled with misdiagnoses, delays, and the emotional toll of navigating a misunderstood condition. Carla also opens up about h...
“Research is not just data. It’s people, their stories, and their trust.” In this compelling episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren sits down with Dr. Dung Trinh — a Vietnam War refugee turned physician, researcher, and global health advocate. His journey from a refugee camp to the forefront of Alzheimer's research and inclusive healthcare isn’t just inspirational — it’s transformative. Dr. Trinh shares how his early experiences in underserved communities shaped his passion for acce...
What does true representation in clinical research look like? And why does it matter? In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Ren sits down with a special guest, her husband Michael Jones to discuss the pressing need for diversity in clinical trials. They dive deep into the systemic barriers that prevent communities of color from participating in research and explore the real-world consequences of underrepresentation. Mike shares his firsthand experience as a participant in ...
Did you know that thyroid eye disease (TED) can cause vision loss, double vision, and even blindness? In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Renarda Jones sits down with Dr. Vivek Patel, Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmology at UC Irvine, to explore new breakthroughs in thyroid eye disease treatment and the critical need for diverse participation in clinical trials. Dr. Patel explains the warning signs of TED, who is most at risk, and why many clinical studies lack representation from c...
What does inclusive research really look like in action? In this special solo episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, I share exciting community updates, upcoming events, and ways you can get involved in advancing inclusive healthcare research. From monthly Chow & Chat discussions on health topics like brain health and autoimmune diseases to major events like the Community Clinical Trial Health Forum, there are more opportunities than ever to learn, connect, and take action. Plus, don’t ...
What happens when personal experiences collide with a passion for science and business? Dr. Denise Bronner, CEO and founder of Impactful Ventures, shares her journey from academia to consulting, pharma, and venture capital—all with the goal of driving meaningful change in healthcare. In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Ren and Dr. Bronner discuss the urgent need for diversity in clinical research, the importance of equitable healthcare, and how pharma can better engage c...
Can research truly serve as a resource for the community? In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with Dr. Krystal Lira, a Senior Research Associate at UCSD, to discuss the power of community-driven mental health research. Dr. Lira shares her journey from academia to real-world research, highlighting the importance of lived experience in shaping effective health solutions. The conversation dives into why diverse communities struggle to access mental h...
How do we ensure that underrepresented communities benefit from clinical research? In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren sits down with Dr. Aliya Frederick, a child neurologist and researcher specializing in pediatric migraines. Dr. Frederick shares her inspiring journey, from her early fascination with neuroscience to leading groundbreaking clinical trials at UCSD. Discover how Dr. Frederick uses her unique platform, Inspired Dream Bigger, to encourage young people of colo...
“True health starts with purpose—and purpose thrives in community.” In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Renarda Jones talks with Justin Campbell, a UX designer turned health and mindset coach, about the intersection of personal growth, wellness, and inclusive health data. Justin shares how his shift from tech to health coaching was driven by a desire to help others achieve holistic well-being. He highlights the importance of aligning health goals with personal values, explaining ...
"Inclusive research isn’t just a goal—it’s a responsibility we all share." In this special holiday episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Renarda Jones takes a moment to celebrate the incredible journey of the podcast and reflect on the powerful lessons shared by past guests. From breaking misconceptions to fostering trust and advocating for representation, this episode revisits the pivotal conversations that have shaped the podcast’s mission. She highlights key moments, including ...
Real change starts when every voice is heard. In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Renarda Jones welcomes Tracy Phillips, a dedicated advocate for inclusion in clinical trials. Tracy shares her deep insights into the critical role genuine representation plays in transforming clinical research and ensuring no community is left behind. She emphasizes the importance of intentional outreach, offering thoughtful strategies to bridge the gaps in underrepresented communities and make cl...
Sometimes the best innovations come from just figuring it out as you go. In this Voices of Inclusive Research episode, Renarda sits down with Dan Sfera, the trailblazing "Clinical Trials Guru" and a seasoned research site owner. Dan opens up about his unplanned journey into clinical research, sharing the highs and lows that shaped his two-decade-long career. From his early days struggling as a pre-med student to becoming a go-to expert in the field, Dan’s story is one of resilience, creativi...
Welcome to the Voices of Inclusive Research Podcast. A space where we amplify the voices of underrepresented communities in clinical research, sharing stories and insights to foster diversity and inclusivity in healthcare. In this episode, Renarda welcomes Fannie Johnson, a long-time participant in clinical research, to share her journey and insights. She discusses her 20-year involvement in the Memory and Aging Project, emphasizing how clinical research has positively impacted her heal...
“It might take me out, but it's gonna have to chase me down to do it.” – Shanell Matlock In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with Emmitt Henderson III — founder of Male Lupus Warriors — and Shanell Matlock, his partner and fellow advocate. Together, they open up about the raw realities of living with chronic illness, navigating kidney failure, and learning how to love, support, and grow through the chaos. Emmitt shares how lupus transformed his life an...
