Women leading change: Innovation, equity, and leadership

Women are advancing cardiovascular clinical research through leadership, innovation, and a focus on greater inclusion. In this webcast, Malissa J. Wood, MD, hosts a dynamic conversation with the 2025 CVCT Research Scholars: Jessie Holtzman, MD, Iulia Iatan, MD, PhD, and Maggie Infeld, MD, MS. These rising physician-scientists share their experiences from the CVCT conference and discuss how women can shape the future of clinical trials.

The webcast highlights emerging trends in cardiovascular research, practical strategies for inclusive trial design, and insights into how early career investigators can accelerate their impact. The panel also explores the importance of mentorship, leadership development, and intentional action to increase diversity among investigators and participants in clinical studies.

Watch the webcast

Women As One is proud to share this conversation with the 2025 CVCT Research Scholars, highlighting the leadership, expertise, and vision of women advancing cardiovascular clinical trials.

Women leading change: CVCT Research Scholars on innovation, equity, and leadership

Action items for trial leaders

The discussion also surfaced clear steps that trial leaders can take to strengthen inclusion, improve study design, and build the next generation of clinical research leadership:

Provide protected time and formal recognition for trial leadership roles, especially for early- and mid-career investigators, to enable meaningful participation and career advancement
Include clinical research staff (site PIs, clinical research associates, recruitment teams) into design and governance conversations so they understand objectives and can improve recruitment and retention.
Embed early-career investigators and trainees into trial leadership structures (e.g., trainee representatives on steering committees) to build skills, visibility, and credibility early in their careers.
Involve patient stakeholders early in trial design to ensure eligibility criteria, endpoints, and visit structures reflect real-world disease presentation and patient needs.
Invest in education and outreach across the clinical trial spectrum by providing accessible training in epidemiology, biostatistics, and trial design to empower early-stage investigators and site teams.

Innovation and inclusion in cardiovascular research

Cardiovascular clinical trials are evolving quickly as new treatments and technologies emerge. In the webcast, the scholars reflect on sessions exploring device-based therapies and the growing role of wearables in trial design, highlighting both the promise and complexity of innovation in measuring meaningful outcomes and ensuring data quality.

The panel also discusses how trial design can either support or limit equitable participation. Remote options, flexible eligibility criteria, and thoughtful use of digital biomarkers can expand access, while researchers must remain attentive to regulatory and ethical considerations.

The role of mentorship and early leadership opportunities

Mentorship and sponsorship were central themes of the discussion. The scholars emphasized that experienced trial leaders provide essential guidance and visibility, while sponsors help open doors to leadership roles that may otherwise be out of reach.

The panel encouraged women to seek leadership opportunities early through steering committees, editorial boards, and professional networks. The scholars stressed that young investigators should seek opportunities even before feeling fully prepared, because real-world leadership comes through engagement and growth.

Designing trials that reflect real-world patients

The panel also explored ways to make clinical trials more representative of the populations they serve. Rigid eligibility criteria and visit schedules can unintentionally exclude many patients, particularly women with caregiving responsibilities or comorbidities.

Engaging patient stakeholders early helps ensure trials focus on outcomes that matter most and improves recruitment and retention by identifying barriers upfront. The scholars also highlighted the value of involving site teams, including coordinators and research associates, to strengthen trial implementation and enrolment efforts.

Encouragement for emerging women investigators

Throughout the webcast, the scholars offered practical encouragement for women considering a career in clinical research. They urged emerging investigators not to underestimate their contributions, to seek out mentorship actively, and to pursue leadership opportunities with confidence. Their message underscores that diverse perspectives lead to stronger science and more relevant clinical outcomes for patients.

About the CVCT Research Scholar Awards

The CVCT Research Scholar Awards are a key Women As One initiative to support high-potential women physicians with interest or experience in clinical trial leadership. These prestigious awards, run in partnership with the Global CVCT Forum, spotlight outstanding women advancing clinical research in cardiology and related fields.

Award recipients are invited to attend the Global CVCT Forum, participate in faculty-level engagement, and join a dedicated leadership luncheon with senior trialists, academics, and industry leaders. These opportunities are designed to accelerate career growth, strengthen professional networks, and enhance visibility in the clinical research ecosystem.

The CVCT Research Scholar Awards directly support Women As One’s mission to elevate women physicians into leadership roles in clinical trials. By creating pathways to engagement and recognition, the program strengthens the pipeline of women leaders, improves trial diversity, and contributes to more meaningful research outcomes.

More Resources

1 2 3 Next »

For Physicians

For Partners

About Women As One