April 7, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by South Dakota Biotech.

She’s one of just a dozen people nationwide and the first South Dakotan appointed to a committee tasked with protecting human subjects in research.

Jyoti Angal, director of clinical research at the Avera Research Institute Center for Pediatric & Community Research, serves on the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections, or SACHRP, providing expert advice and recommendations to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

In her role at Avera, she provides leadership, management and regulatory oversight for large-scale, community-based research projects, including clinical trials.

We caught up with her for a look at how her research evolved during the pandemic and where it’s headed.

What attracted you to your role, and what keeps you there?

I have a background in public health and have been involved in research for the past 15 years. I have a keen interest in research ethics and regulations, particularly as they apply to marginalized and underserved populations. I have been privileged to work with diverse communities, including American Indian communities in our region in setting up tribal regulatory infrastructure.

The events of the past year have demonstrated many racial inequities in our society, particularly with access to health care. Scientific research can play a significant role in reducing these inequities, but only when designed to be inclusive. I love the fact that through our work we are able to bring cutting-edge research to our region and provide access to potential experimental therapeutics that are otherwise only available at major academic research centers.

What was 2020/early 2021 like for the Avera Research Institute Center for Pediatric & Community Research? What were some highlights for you, and how did you adapt through the pandemic?

2020 was challenging and gratifying at the same time. The COVID crisis allowed our center to expand our research portfolio to include clinical trials such as the Regeneron monoclonal antibody trials and other COVID drug trials. Although our team is well-versed in research, there were many unknowns with the COVID-trials landscape, particularly with respect to the level of community engagement. But we have been pleasantly surprised by the support and engagement of the participants as well as the health care providers. The Center for Pediatric & Community Research site was considered a “high enrolling site” for Regeneron, and we are very proud of the fact that individuals from the Sioux Falls and surrounding region contributed data that led to the eventual emergency use authorization of the monoclonal antibody.

Another highlight in the past year was developing remote data collection procedures for our other research studies. When COVID hit in March 2020, we were able to quickly adapt our process and pivot to online data collection and were very successful with remote data collection.

What are some key areas of work for the center today? Can you give us a sense of what’s driving your current efforts?

Historically, our center has focused on maternal and child health research with particular emphasis on investigating problems and identifying solutions to reducing health disparities in children and families. We continue to build on that work but see ourselves expanding to other areas such as behavioral health, health equity and access. We also hope to study long-term effects of COVID exposure in children. Simultaneously, we will continue to work on our clinical trial portfolio and partner with physicians interested in potential treatment trials for their patients.

Broadly speaking, our efforts are driven by a combination of good science, medical or community need and potential for community impact. We truly believe the intersection of these factors is necessary for success of any research project.

It seems like every aspect of health care has a “COVID effect.” Is there such an effect, or do you anticipate one, in your work?

Definitely! The COVID effect is here to stay. COVID has made us rethink how we collect data. In the past year, we have had great success with remote data collection. Remote data collection has helped to alleviate the burden on participants. I have a feeling that in the “post-COVID world,” researchers will have to continue to include ways to collect data remotely or figure out other ways to “bring research to the participant.”

What’s next for your research center? What are you especially energized about looking ahead?

There are so many exciting things going on at our center! We have a great team of diverse scientists with strong community connections and potential to build strong programs. I am excited about our continued expansion of clinical trials with an eye toward inclusion – for example, identifying ways to include non-English speakers or those that live in rural areas of our state. Doing so will truly help address issues with inequitable access to potential treatments.

You’re also working to plan a compliance symposium through the Food and Drug Administration scheduled for September. What should the bioscience and health care communities know about what’s ahead?

Avera Compliance is leading this effort, and I am very excited to speak at the symposium and participate in the planning process. The symposium is funded by the Office of Research Integrity, and the primary goal is to build knowledge and capacity to conduct FDA-regulated research within the region. The symposium will be a combination of didactic and interactive sessions, with opportunities for networking. This is the first regional symposium of its kind – and we are very excited for its potential!

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