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Keck School of Medicine of USC

Clinical Trials Office

Welcome to the Clinical Trials Office of USC

The Clinical Trials Office (CTO) at the Keck School of Medicine focuses on efficiency, transparency and accountability to provide high-quality support in budgeting and contracting matters to researchers and timely and safely open clinical trials at USC. The CTO team works directly with sponsors to create fluid and collaborative relations to further facilitate the clinical trials process.

Meet the Director of CTO

Melissa Archer, J.D.,“The Clinical Trials Office is dedicated to advancing clinical research by providing expert support to the research community. Our services include the development of Medicare Coverage Analyses for all clinical trials, negotiation of budgets and contracts for Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials, and comprehensive post-award financial management for Industry trials.

We are committed to adhering to processes that are both geared toward operational efficiency and fully compliant with all applicable laws and regulations, ensuring the highest standards of regulatory integrity while maintaining a strong focus on accelerating clinical trial activation. This approach positions our institution as a competitive and preferred site for industry partners.

Through streamlined operations and collaborative engagement, we empower clinical departments to offer patients access to cutting-edge therapies and innovative medical technologies available exclusively through clinical research.

We also proudly manage the OnCore Clinical Trial Management System, a critical platform that delivers accurate financial, operational, and patient-related data. OnCore supports our partners at Keck Hospital and beyond, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and operational excellence in clinical trials administration.”

Melissa Archer Lowry, J.D., Director, Clinical Trials Office

What does the CTO do?

  • CTO is responsible for the pre-award management of Industry clinical trials at USC.
  • CTO is responsible for Post-Award- Billing and Accounting Services for all Industry Trials at USC
  • Coordinating efforts with other units and departments involved in clinical trial management, including hospital billing and compliance office.

OnCore System

As a step towards making information gathering, collecting, and storing easier for the management of clinical trials, The USC Keck School of Medicine utilizes OnCore – a data repository system for all study-related information. OnCore is the one-stop place where all relevant and up-to-date information on a clinical trial can be accessed and stored.

Clinical Trials Office Graph

Navigating OnCore

A guideline has been created to help new users navigate OnCore, to familiarize users with the OnCore homepage and the tabs most commonly used when submitting a new protocol.

OnCore Access and Training

To gain access to the website, fill out the OnCore application and email to OnCoreSupport@med.usc.edu

Once submitted your new user account is created and an online training will be set up.

Click Here For Application

OnCore Manager

Leslie Chung, Application & Operations Manager, joined Clinical Trials Office in December 2018. Prior to joining the team, she worked in the IT field and has vast knowledge and experience in project management, business and systems analysis, application support and programming. Her current responsibilities include managing clinical trials management system, overseeing calendar building team and internal IT and payables teams, operation support and special projects.
Leslie.Chung@med.usc.edu

Senior Programmer

Nancy Yi, Senior Programmer, is responsible for Oncore support for KSOM’s legacy accounting system, IRIS. She also collaborates with multiple departments within the IT division to streamline systems and data. Nancy boasts a rich professional history with USC, amassing over two decades of experience in the IT field, primarily focused on clinical trial management systems. Her academic background includes dual master’s degrees from Cal State LA, specializing in Information Systems, and USC, with a concentration in Health Care Administration.
Nancy.Yi@med.usc.edu