So, what is clinical research and what are clinical trials?
Clinical research is medical research involving people.
Clinical trials are experiments designed to find out whether an intervention is safe and effective and that the potential benefits of the intervention outweigh the risks.
There are two types, observational studies, and clinical trials.
Observational studies observe people in normal settings. Researchers gather information, group volunteers according to broad characteristics, and compare changes over time.
Clinical Trials are the main method used by researchers to determine whether a new therapy, such as a new medication, diet, or medical gadget, is safe and effective in humans. A clinical trial is frequently performed to determine whether a novel treatment is more efficient than the current treatment and/or has fewer negative side effects.
Gustavo Juarez shares his experience as a patient and participating in a clinical trial.
Principal Investigators
Principal Investigator (PI) refers to the person(s) in charge of a clinical trial or a scientific research grant. The Principal Investigator prepares and carries out the clinical trial protocol (plan for the study) or research paid for by the grant. The Principal Investigator also analyzes the data and reports the results of the trial or grant research.
George Fadda, MD
FACP
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Research Experience
Founder of Balboa Research, formerly California Institute of renal Research (Balboa Research). 26 years experience in basic and clinical research. As a Principal Investigator, he has participated in more than 95 phase 2-4 studies.
Publications
More than 50 Articles in Nephrology Journals
Research Expertise
All aspects of Kidney disease: Acute renal failure and Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 2-5, ESRD, Type 2 DM, PCKD, FSGS, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, IgA Nephropathy, Hyperparathyroidism, Anemia, Iron, Proteinuria, etc.
Training
• MD – American University Beirut
• Fellowship – University of Southern California
• Assistant Professor of Medicine / Nephrology University of Southern California
Jill Meyer, MD
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Research Experience
20 years
Research Expertise
drug device and diagnostics; phase II-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, DMII, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, FSGS, pruritis, anemia, hyperkalemia, vit hyperparathyroidism, infectious disease
Training
• MD – American University
• Residency – Hennepin County Medical Center
• Fellowship – Emory University
Adam Horeish, MD
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Research Experience
4 years
Research Expertise
drug, device, and diagnostics; phase II-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, DMII, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, FSGS, anemia, hyperkalemia, vit hyperparathyroidism, infectious disease
Training
• MD – Ross University School of Medicine
• Residency – Western Reserve Care System
• Fellowship – University of Vermont
Arman Faravardeh, MD
FACP, FASN, FAST
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Research Experience
10 years
Publications, Lectures & Presentations
over 35
Research Expertise
Kidney transplantation including delayed graft function, CMV disease, BK virus, COVID vaccine, APOL1, Belatacept trial, chronic antibody mediated rejection, donor derived cell free DNA assay
Training
• MD – Medical College of Wisconsin
• Residency – Medical College of Wisconsin
• Nephrology Fellowship – University of Minnesota
• Transplant Nephrology Fellowship – UCLA
Ramin Berenji, MD
FASN, FACP and EVP, Balboa Research
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Research Experience
10 years
Publications
9 articles/abstracts
Research Expertise
drug, device and diagnostics; phase II-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, cad, DMII, AKI, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, pruritis, FSGS, ADPKD, anemia, hyperkalemia, vit d def, hyperparathyroidism, infectious disease
Training
• MD – University of Hamburg school of medicine
• Residency – Good Samaritan Hospital/John Hopkins
• Fellowship – Stanford University
Osman Khawar, MD
MPH
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Research Experience
10 years
Publications
15 Articles & 10 Posters
Research Expertise:
drug, device, diagnostics and investigator sponsored; phase Ia-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, vascular access, home HD, PD, CAD, pruritis, DMII, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, FSGS, anemia, hyperkalemia, hyperparathyroidism
Training
• MD – Glasgow university
• Master’s of Public Health – John Hopkins School of Public health
• Residency – St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach
• Fellowship – Harbor-UCLA
Joseph Hebreo, MD
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Research Experience
4 years
Publications
2
Research Expertise
drug, device, and diagnostics; phase Ia-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, vascular access, DMII, hypercholesterolemia, IgA Nephropathy, FSGS, anemia, hyperkalemia, hyperparathyroidism
Training
• MD – Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Residency – Naval Medical Center, San Diego
• Fellowship – Walter Reed Army Medical Center/National Naval Medical Center
Dylan Steer, MD
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Research Experience
15 years
Research Expertise
drug, device, diagnostics, and investigator sponsored; phase Ia-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, DMII, pruritis, hypercholesterolemia, anemia, hyperkalemia, hyperparathyroidism
Training
• MD – Duke University
• Residency – Duke University
• Fellowship – University of California San Diego.
Mark Boiskin, MD
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Research Experience:
18 years
Research Expertise
drug, device, diagnostics, and investigator sponsored; phase Ia-IV: CKD 2-5, ESRD, HTN, DMII, pruritis, anemia, hyperparathyroidism, dialysis access
Training
• MD – Stellenbosch medical school (south Africa)
•Residency – University of Alberta
•Fellowship – University of California, San Diego
Marquis Hart, MD
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Dr. Marquis Hart joined Balboa Nephrology Medical Group in 2020. He is a board-certified surgeon with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He is a specialist in transplant, hepatobiliary and general surgery.
Dr. Hart received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stanford University, followed by a Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. After finishing his surgical residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, he completed his fellowship training in general surgery and liver transplantation at Rush Presbyterian Medical Center. In 1993, Dr. Hart established the liver transplant program at the University of California San Diego and served as the director of the abdominal transplant programs. Dr. Hart developed the liver transplant program at Swedish Medical Center and served as the director of transplant programs until 2019.
Dr. Hart is committed to helping his patients return to living healthy, productive lives. In his spare time he enjoys photography and spending time with his three beautiful daughters and two grandchildren.
Fharak Maa Chip, MD
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Dr. Maa joined Balboa Nephrology Medical Group in 2014. He practices in the National City area; specializing in kidney diseases which includes hemodialysis patients at both FMC and DaVita Dialysis units.
Dr. Maa attended medical school at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California in Mexicali where he obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree. After completing his residency at Alameda County Medical Center, he completed his Nephrology fellowship at UCLA Harbor Medical Center.
