Generating evidence for therapeutic effects: the need for well-conducted randomized trials

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In this viewpoint, Robert Califf, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and colleagues reflect on how to approach questions about which patient treatments and strategies work, particularly in light of the tremendous pressure on the government and biomedical research enterprise to quickly develop safe, effective therapies during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Authors

Robert M. Califf, Lesley H. Curtis, Robert A. Harrington, Adrian F. Hernandez, Eric D. Peterson

The use of observational research to inform clinical practice

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Randomized controlled trials are the preferred design for the analysis of health-related interventions. In this Viewpoint, Nigel Paneth and Michael Joyner discuss circumstances when randomized controlled trials might not be feasible and the criteria that should be used when considering applying observational data medicine.

Authors

Nigel Paneth, Michael Joyner

A CRISPR view of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

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Katherine Uyhazi and renowned gene therapy pioneer Jean Bennett share their perspective on the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna for their discovery of the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors that have revolutionized genome editing.

Authors

Katherine E. Uyhazi, Jean Bennett

Emergency seed funding for COVID-19 research: lessons from Johns Hopkins University

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Seed grant programs are an efficient mechanism for universities to invest in high-risk ideas, incite collaborative research, support early career faculty, and direct faculty towards a specific goal. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins leadership quickly mobilized to support research teams as they pivoted to gather preliminary data and seek solutions to save lives. Here we discuss key lessons learned from the program.

Authors

Julie Messersmith, Chasmine Stoddart-Osumah, Marc Lennon, Denis Wirtz

Getting into Good Trouble: Black Lives Matter and Black Professors Matter

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In the wake of the brutal murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Sean Reed, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd and, amidst international outcries for social justice, many of us are asking ourselves what we can do to effect change. How can we be impactful allies in the medical profession? How can we support and protect our Black students and foster their careers? This Viewpoint examines the importance of improving diversity and inclusion among physicians and scientists at academic institutions .

Authors

Briyana R. Chisholm, Enid R. Neptune, Sherita H. Golden, Linda Resar

Inflammatory syndromes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: dysregulation of the immune response across the age spectrum

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Available evidence suggests significant heterogeneity in the human immune response to SARS-CoV-2. In this Viewpoint, we examine the spectrum of SARS-CoV-2-associated clinical inflammatory syndromes identified in adult and pediatric populations to date. A better understanding of the immunopathologies and related clinical manifestations of these syndromes is necessary to improve their diagnosis and management.

Authors

Jill E. Weatherhead, Eva H. Clark, Tiphanie P. Vogel, Robert L. Atmar, Prathit A. Kulkarni

Promoting the success of women and minority physician-scientists in academic medicine: a dean’s perspective

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Dr. Nancy Brown, Dean of the Yale School of Medicine, shares her perspective on the challenges facing women and minority faculty members and trainees in academic medicine and provides a reflection on how leaders in academic medicine can promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to enhance their success.

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Nancy J. Brown

Towards realizing diversity in academic medicine

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Dr. John Carethers discusses challenges to the advancement of underrepresented minorities in medicine and effective strategies for institutions to promote diversity. He proposes that diversity should be a fourth pillar in the mission of academic medicine, alongside research, education, and clinical care.

Authors

John M. Carethers

Reflections of a Black woman physician-scientist

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Dr. Rotonya Carr provides her thoughts on being one of the only Black women in her field, the persistent race-gender gap among academic medical center faculty, and possible solutions to retaining and promoting Black women in academia.

Authors

Rotonya M. Carr

Drugs of unproven benefit for COVID-19: a pharma perspective on ethical allocation of available therapies

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In the quest to provide treatment for COVID-19 patients, available therapies that have been approved for other indications but have insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy for use against COVID-19 have been considered. One of the unintended consequences of this approach is the potential creation of shortages, depriving existing patients who are benefiting from products based on their proven indications. Here, a pharmaceutical company outlines their ethical decision-making framework to guide decision-making and ensure equity of access to products.

Authors

Arthur L. Caplan, Joanne Waldstreicher, Karla Childers, Aran Maree