How do we ensure that underrepresented communities benefit from clinical research?

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Ren sits down with Dr. Aliya Frederick, a child neurologist and researcher specializing in pediatric migraines. Dr. Frederick shares her inspiring journey, from her early fascination with neuroscience to leading groundbreaking clinical trials at UCSD.

Discover how Dr. Frederick uses her unique platform, Inspired Dream Bigger, to encourage young people of color to envision themselves in healthcare and research roles. The discussion highlights the prevalence and impact of migraines in children and adolescents, with Dr. Frederick emphasizing the importance of representation in medicine and bridging gaps in clinical research.

Listen in as the two explore innovative treatments, the role of mentorship, and the critical need for inclusivity in medical trials.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• The Intersection of Advocacy and Research: Dr. Frederick’s platform, Inspired Dream Bigger, combines her passion for mentorship with her commitment to increasing diversity in healthcare and research fields.
• Pediatric Migraines and Clinical Trials: Dr. Frederick sheds light on the high prevalence of migraines in children, their impact on quality of life, and the role of clinical trials in expanding treatment options.
• Representation Matters: As a Black woman in neurology, Dr. Frederick emphasizes the importance of representation in healthcare, helping young individuals from diverse backgrounds envision themselves in these spaces.

About Dr. Aliya Frederick

Dr. Aliya Frederick is a child neurologist and researcher at UCSD, specializing in pediatric migraines. With a passion for mentorship and representation, she founded Inspired Dream Bigger, a platform aimed at helping young individuals from diverse backgrounds see themselves in healthcare roles. A graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County and an MD-PhD holder in neuroscience, Dr. Frederick combines her expertise in clinical and basic science research to develop innovative treatments. Beyond medicine, she’s a beauty queen using pageantry as a tool for advocacy and community connection.

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We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

“True health starts with purpose—and purpose thrives in community.”

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Renarda Jones talks with Justin Campbell, a UX designer turned health and mindset coach, about the intersection of personal growth, wellness, and inclusive health data. Justin shares how his shift from tech to health coaching was driven by a desire to help others achieve holistic well-being.

He highlights the importance of aligning health goals with personal values, explaining that lasting wellness comes from purpose, not just discipline. This deeper connection, he argues, fosters sustainable habits and meaningful change.

The conversation also tackles the vital role diversity plays in clinical research and how underrepresented communities face barriers to healthcare, often rooted in distrust of medical systems. By increasing diversity among researchers and outreach efforts, they believe these gaps can be bridged, leading to more equitable solutions for all.

If you’re interested in personal growth or passionate about health equity, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiring takeaways on how purpose and inclusion shape better health outcomes.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Curiosity as a Catalyst for Growth: Justin Campbell shares how his curiosity led him from design to UX and health coaching, stressing the value of asking deeper questions to optimize life.
• Health and Life Purpose Connection: Emphasizes the crucial link between health and life purpose, noting that good health is essential to achieving personal goals and living with purpose.
• Personalized Health and Research: The need for personalized health care and research, advocating for more inclusive studies to provide accurate, accessible recommendations for all.
• Building Trust with Communities of Color: Justin calls for pharmaceutical companies to build trust by including people of color in both research and decision-making processes, ensuring health advice is culturally relevant.
• Improving Research Accessibility: Making research more accessible by going to communities, rather than expecting participants to come to research sites, to increase participation from underrepresented groups.
• Health Coaching as a Personalized Guide: Focuses on guiding clients through their unique health journeys, offering tailored advice based on individual needs and goals.

About Justin Campbell

Justin is a San Diego-based multi-disciplinary user experience designer and health and mindset coach with a deep-rooted belief in the power of self-mastery, discipline, and a growth mindset to help people achieve holistic well-being. He is passionate about crafting experiences that empower individuals to unlock their full potential, leveraging my expertise in designing enterprise software products, guiding clients in meditation, and coaching them through systematic habit formation to cultivate healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Connect with Justin:

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Follow Renarda Jones:

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We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

"Inclusive research isn’t just a goal—it’s a responsibility we all share."

In this special holiday episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, host Dr. Renarda Jones takes a moment to celebrate the incredible journey of the podcast and reflect on the powerful lessons shared by past guests. From breaking misconceptions to fostering trust and advocating for representation, this episode revisits the pivotal conversations that have shaped the podcast’s mission.

She highlights key moments, including Joseph Frazier’s wisdom on preventive research, Mary Futrell’s advocacy for Alzheimer’s awareness, Jen Lothridge’s insights on trust and community engagement, and Fannie Johnson’s practical advice for overcoming mistrust in clinical trials. Dan Sfera’s call for creative approaches to diversity and Tracy Phillips’ emphasis on amplifying underrepresented voices round out this impactful reflection.

She invites listeners to share their unique perspectives on inclusive research. The episode concludes with a heartwarming note on the annual Christmas toy giveaway for pediatric clinical trial participants, reminding us that every voice, no matter how young, matters.

Every voice has the power to change the world.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• The Impact of Inclusive Research: Recap of how inclusive research transforms healthcare outcomes, with actionable insights shared by past guests like Joseph Frazier and Fannie Johnson.
• Overcoming Mistrust in Clinical Trials: Practical strategies from Fannie Johnson and Tracy Phillips on building trust in underserved communities.
• Passing Down Knowledge: Guests like Joseph Frazier and Jen Lothridge emphasize the critical role of sharing health knowledge to empower future generations.
• Community-Centered Approaches: Dan Sfera highlights the importance of creativity, word-of-mouth outreach, and genuine community connections in achieving true diversity.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

• "Passing down knowledge to empower future generations with vital health information is crucial." – Renarda Jones
• "Building trust between researchers and communities is key to achieving better health outcomes." – Renarda Jones
• "Amplifying every voice is how we drive meaningful change in healthcare outcomes." – Renarda Jones

Follow Renarda Jones:

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We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!