Who We Are
The CRPBC is an informal, inclusive group of over 750 Clinical Research Professionals who work in British Columbia. We provide networking and professional development opportunities for everyone working in the clinical research profession, grant funded or industry sponsored. CRPBC members range from new grads from the biotech & sciences sector to those with 25 years of experience (or more). Members work in all therapeutic areas, for Canadian, American and European projects.
Janette Polmanter, BSc, MLT, Technical Quality Specialist, LifeLabs
Nicola James, MSc, Clinical Research Project Coordinator, PHCRI
“The awards recognize two organizations that have been exceptional as British Columbia and more widely, Canada, embarks upon the modernization and renovation of the clinical trial platform,” noted Alison Orth, Unit Director, CTBC.
The CRPBC is organized by volunteers who form the Advisory Committee (AdCom). This dedicated group meets before each Speakers Series meeting in addition to the twice per year planning sessions.
Current AdCom members are:
Current AdCom members are:
Aleksandra Kuzmanovic, MSc, CCRP, Quality Lead, Clinical Trials, VCH Research Institute, CRPBC Chair
Aleksandra has been a CRPBC AdCom member since February 2013. She started her career as a research scientist in her home country of Serbia. After moving to Canada, she worked as a research coordinator for more than 20 years at Lions Gate Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital, and private practice. She has coordinated industry sponsored and investigator-initiated trials in Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, Emergency, Cardiology, Gynecology, Surgery, and Ophthalmology. In 2022, she moved to her current position to support clinical research at Vancouver Coastal Health through consulting, mentoring, training, and providing guidance through regulatory environment etc. Aleksandra is a member of SOCRA, N2 Quality Committee and ACRP. She truly believes in collaboration and community and is honoured to be part of a rich and diverse research community.
Gale Ladua, BSc, Clinical Research Coordinator, UBC | VGH | BC Cancer
Gale's passion for clinical research started during her undergraduate co-op placement with the Colorectal Surgery group at St. Paul's Hospital and BC Cancer (Vancouver) Medical Oncology (GI). Currently, she works as a research coordinator with the Infectious Diseases Division at Vancouver General Hospital and GI Medical Oncology research team at BC Cancer (Vancouver).
Janette is a Medical Laboratory Technologist, specializing in pre-analytical processes. She currently works in Quality & Regulatory Affairs, but has a special interest in supporting clinical trial collections. She has been a member of CRPBC since 2007.
Judy Needham, PhD, CCRP, Senior Project Manager, Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes & CIHR Pan-Canadian Network for HIV and STBBI Research (CTN+), St. Paul’s Hospital
Mannie Fan, PhD, CCRP, Clinical Research Manager, ALSRD Research Program, UBC Dept. of Medicine (Neurology)
Following a career in pharmaceutical RD&D, Mannie brought her scientific and research expertise to the clinical research arena. While the focus of her training and expertise is primarily in dementia/neurology research, she is also experienced in the conduct of trials in a variety of disciplines, ranging from pediatric oncology, to diabetes, to ophthalmology. She is a passionate proponent and vocal advocate for quality and regulatory compliance in clinical research.
Nerkeza (Nera) Andjelic, MD, LMCC, MHA, CCRP, HCB Coordinator, Leukemia/BMT Program of BC, UBC | VGH | BC Cancer
Nicola James, MSc, Clinical Research Project Coordinator, PHCRI
Nicola began her career as a registered nurse in South Africa before transitioning into clinical research. She currently works in cardiac surgery research at the PHCRI, supporting investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical trials. Nicola's work focuses on research coordinator, ethics submissions, and facilitating collaboration across departments. She is passionate about fostering professional growth and connection within the BC research community and is proud to contribute to CRPBC's mission of knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Clinical Trials British Columbia (CTBC) presented the CTBC Support Award and the CTBC Service Award at an online award ceremony held on January 28, 2021.
Clinical Research Professionals of BC (CRPBC) was awarded the Clinical Trials BC Service Award for 2020. Recipients are recognized for the community-based, volunteer commitment of an individual, organization, company or agency to improve the research and clinical trials community.
CRBPC has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the clinical trials through activities that address challenges while inspiring and mentoring the next generation of clinical research teams and professionals. This award marked CRPBC’s 25 years of service to the BC research and clinical trials community.
Fasken was awarded the Clinical Trials BC Support Award for 2020. This award recognizes the community-based, volunteer commitment of an individual, organization, company or agency to improve the research and clinical trials community in the previous year.
Fasken has provided 25 years of support to the research and clinical trials community. This group has made an enormous contribution to the professional development and ongoing education of research team professionals by providing a forum for clinical research professionals to meet, share ideas, develop partnerships and keep abreast of the changing regulatory and legal environment.
“We are very proud to have bestowed these awards on two very deserving groups,” said Stirling Bryan, President, BC AHSN (of which CTBC is an operational unit). “Both organizations have made such an impact on the clinical trials and research community over the past 25 years.”
“We are very proud to have bestowed these awards on two very deserving groups,” said Stirling Bryan, President, BC AHSN (of which CTBC is an operational unit). “Both organizations have made such an impact on the clinical trials and research community over the past 25 years.”
“The awards recognize two organizations that have been exceptional as British Columbia and more widely, Canada, embarks upon the modernization and renovation of the clinical trial platform,” noted Alison Orth, Unit Director, CTBC.