IUPUI’s Amelia Knopf has been appointed to serve on an ad hoc committee at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which is tasked with improving the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in clinical trials and research.
IUPUI nursing professor joins National Academies committee to improve representation in clinical trials
“I feel really honored to serve on this committee, which intersects with my expertise and experience in engaging underrepresented populations in research,” said Knopf, an assistant professor at the School of Nursing. “It’s an opportunity for me to learn how these committees function and how they ultimately influence policy and practice.”
The committee will conduct a study examining the long-term medical impacts of the lack of inclusion of women and underrepresented minority groups, with findings and recommendations to be outlined in a final consensus report. Knopf says the committee’s work will help improve inclusion and engagement of women and racial and ethnic minorities in clinical research, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The committee’s goals align closely with Knopf’s research agenda, which is focused on engaging underrepresented groups in clinical studies. During her five years at IU, she has obtained $2.6 million in external funding to study how to engage marginalized populations in clinical trials for sensitive and stigmatizing health problems, like HIV. A particular focus is on the engagement of minors in clinical trials.
“Dr. Knopf is an exceptional scientist that has made a national and international impact on populations that are underrepresented in research studies,” said Robin Newhouse, dean and distinguished professor of the School of Nursing. “Her service to NAM on this important committee will enable the application of her expertise to improve representation of women and underrepresented minorities in clinical trials and research.”
Knopf, who will participate in the Johns Hopkins University Mixed Methods Research Training Program in June, is the only junior faculty member to serve on the 12-member committee, which convened in December 2020.
“I’m really excited to learn from senior researchers and policy makers who have many years of experience,” Knopf said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to really learn from the close collaboration with a significantly more experienced group of researchers.”