Clinical Research Coordinators: Learners for Engagement (CIRCLE)

The Clinical Research Coordinators: Learners for Equity (CIRCLE) program aims to increase the diversity of the biomedical workforce and to advance research and health for all.

2026 Dates: July 27th - August 7th (via Zoom) with 20 hours of shadowing by December 31, 2026.

2025 Cohort

A group photo of the CIRCLE 2025 cohort taken via Zoom.

Ivan Soto, Pilar Marin, Rizelle Jugarap, Samira Dantas, Alexander Gomez, Jessica Paz, Tesia De Leon, Berenice Marquez, Sean Farris, Kierra Smith, Nada Mariam Habash, Jesus Diaz, Gabriela Tozlovan, Victoria Morgan, Linda Ly, Ruben Castro Coral, Andrea Laine, Daisy Lezo

 

With thanks to 2025 mentors: Adeline Hayman, Amy Zeng, Caroline Sheikhzadeh, Celine Chou, Claudio Gamboa, Courtney Vu, David Castro, Elizabeth Horgan, Gianna Gunier, Gina Gwiazda, Maya Dhar, Mira Semaan, Nicole Sears, Suzanna Chak, Sylvan Muellerleile, Venezia Garza

2024 Cohort

2024 cohort

Gema Espinoza-Carr, Najim Bellila, Eboni Bailey, Yazmin Chamu, Eduardo Hernandez, Erica Tate, Reem Halabi, Mary Jacobs, Alberto Toledo, Mitchell Lee, Gabriela Bedolla, Sandy Liu, Mishalan Harris, Audreana Truong, Uchenna Akonobi, Ysabella Castillo, Jeane Robis, Susan Lee, Celia Xie, Chisom Nzerem

With thanks to 2024 mentors: Alberto Garcia Villasenor, Alexandra Gill, Alexandra Tremblay-McGaw, Ayesha Nanda, Celine Chou, Chelsea Lin, Dede Creppy, Derby Gill, Eliot Lee, Yeji Lee, Fatima Gonzalez, Jaeleene Wijanco, James Lee, Jeremy Lichtmach, Karina Buenrostro, Kate Peterson, Mark Joshua Lacsamana, Maya Dhar, Sabrina Legaspi, Shabir Din, Shannen Recio, and Suzanna Chak.

2023 Cohort

2023 cohort

Viclarie Lozoya, Carlos Cuevas-Vallejo, Grace Gonzales, Kaique Carlos, Bushra Dubaie, AC Star Talingdan, Brittney Ayala, Devin Simbol, Nicole Quezada, A'lexus Taylor, Vincent Mejia, Ajah Malinao, Victoria Escandon, Reina Hernandez, Destinee Lewis, Isabel Rosales, Shaima Omar

With thanks to 2023 mentors: Celine Chou, Chelsea Lin, Christina Rosa, Deborah Ghosh, Eliot Lee, Isabelle Lopez, John Paul Arios, Justin Cortez, Justin Romero, Kira Chan, Laura Chen, Lucy Fu, Marialena Varymopioti, Maya Dhar, Miranda Gilbert, Nyat Araya, Ruchi Rawal, Tiffany Chinn, Yukino Nakamura

2022 Cohort

2022 cohort

Antonia Sarria, Danisha Calip, Saadhana Deshpande, Qudsia Khalid, Victoria Chou, Cindia Diaz, Midley Michaud, Emilyn Nunez, Tyrine Bailey, Uzoma Onuoma, Kristiene Recto, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Zheyun Xu

With thanks to 2022 mentors: Mireya Arreguin, Lucas Bezerra, Maya Dhar, David Eik, Leyla Ghaffari, Audrey Hernando, Isabelle Lopez, Marguerite Knudtson, Victoria Onyike, Nonna Shakhnazaryan, Haley Shiff, Mathew Yee

2021 Cohort

2021 cohort

Crystal Castañeda, Chinyere Ekpemiro, Heather Henry, Justin Kiani, Jacqueline Lam, Isabelle Lopez, Ahla Osman, Ei Ei Phyo, Carina Reyes, Elgin Rose, Sr., Ashanti Taylor, Gabriella Tenorio, Leyvi Campos, Marlen Rojas-Molina, Sabrina Legaspi, Thricia Zabala and Stephen Zamarripa.

With thanks to 2021 mentors: Sunya Akhter, Irene Orellana Bonilla, Melissa Chow, Yuwen Jian, Daisy Knudtson, Harry Manacsa, Michelle Matvey, Victoria Onyike, Meenakshi Pamula, Taylor Sanchez, Nana Shakhnazaryan, Emily Scott, Dayana Shariff, Alexandra Walker, Renee Wang and Loren Yglecias.

2020 Cohort

2020 cohort

Gabriela L Alvarez Azanedo, Mireya Arreguin, Cesar Cardenas, Rocio Cisneros, Leeza Marie Gaitan, Jake C Gibson, Maryvi G Morales, Victoria Onyike, Komal Rana, Imani Robinson

With thanks to 2020 mentors: Sarah Doernberg, Nina Djukic, Melissa Lopez, Divya Natesa, Kathy Nguyen, Apryl Olarte, Lily Stander, Ellen Smith, Emily Theobald, Nancy Wu

What is a Clinical Research Coordinator?

A clinical research coordinator (CRC) supports, facilitates and organizes the daily activities of a clinical study. A CRC is part of a team conducting research involving human volunteers (study participants) to identify new evidence/facts towards a theory or topic in a specific field in science/health care by gathering data in a systematic approach, also known as a clinical study.

Curriculum

Two-week training with didactic and practical modules based on the Core Competency Framework for clinical research coordinators (CRC) such as: scientific concepts and research design; ethical and participant safety considerations; investigational products development and regulations; clinical trial operations; study and site management; data management and informatics; leadership and professionalism; communication and teamwork. These competencies are put into practice as scholars work on mock research projects in a collaborative and affirming setting. Additionally, career training is provided, including mentorship, resume-building, mock interviewing, networking, collaboration, and presentation skills.

20-hour shadowing experience over three months with a clinical research coordinator (CRC) mentor from UCSF. Potential mentors complete a survey, and responses are provided to scholars who identify 2-3 individuals they would like to meet. Scholars meet with potential mentors and choose the person they would like to shadow. During the shadowing experience, CIRCLE participants gain first-hand knowledge about being a CRC at UCSF and expand their professional network.

Eligibility
  • SFSU graduating seniors, recent grads, or current master’s students; people who work/volunteer at a community-based organization; UCSF employees; Fresno State graduating seniors, recent grads, or current master’s students; East Bay State graduating seniors, recent grads, or current master’s students; San Francisco City College students; and UCSF job fair attendees.
  • Participate in theoretical and practical modules via Zoom from 7/27-8/07.
  • Complete the shadowing experience (20 hours) by December 2026.
  • Interest in research to address and eliminate health disparities.
How to apply

Applicants for the program should complete an online application, submit a resume, list two to three references, and answer five questions. Each application is reviewed twice using an evaluation rubric to minimize bias. The selection committee then decides who will be invited to an interview and makes the final selection of CIRCLE scholars. 

Cost

The program is free, and scholars receive a $2,500 stipend.

Questions?

Contact Alexandra Velasquez, MS at [email protected]