Jess Lightner, Author at Meridian Clinical Research

Patient Story: Dana, a Research Study Participant at Meridian

dana c - meridian clinical research patient testimonial

What led you to participate in a research study? I joined the COVID-19 vaccine trial because of what it was. We needed to bring this vaccine to market right away because it was so devastating and spreading fast. I was enticed by the opportunity to participate, be part of medical history, and to get it to market, while being able to say I was part of it. I also have some underlying health issues, so being able to possibly get the vaccine early was also a benefit. Is … Read more

Clinical Trial Phases: What Happens in Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4?

What are the 4 Clinical Trial Phases? graphic

Clinical trials are research studies of medications, vaccines, medical devices, procedures, diagnostics (tests), and other health-related products. These studies involve participants (also known as patients, volunteers, or subjects) to determine whether certain experimental products are safer and/or more effective than currently approved products. Without clinical trials, it would be impossible to develop new medicines, cures, vaccines, and other medical products — including everything from COVID-19 and flu vaccines, to infant formula, medications for diabetes, and pacemakers. Clinical trials happen in four stages. Each stage, called a phase, serves … Read more

What is the Role of a Principal Investigator in a Clinical Trial?

What is a principal investigator - blog cover image

What is a Principal Investigator? A principal investigator (PI) is the person responsible for overseeing a clinical trial, research grant, or other sponsored research project. In clinical trials, also known as medical studies, principal investigators generally are physicians that carry out the study plan, known as the clinical trial protocol. The principal investigator also analyzes the data and reports the results of the research study. The Roles Principal Investigators play in Clinical Trials Depending on the clinical trial, principal investigators can be contributors or medical experts that help … Read more

The Basics of Respiratory Infections: Differences Among the Cold, Flu, COVID-19, and More

Respiratory infections and illnesses: covid-19, influenza, rsv, copd, pneumonia, and more

What is a Respiratory Infection? Respiratory infections affect the respiratory system, including the nose, sinuses, throat, airways, and lungs. They can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi, but tend to present similar symptoms, such as a cough, congestion or runny nose, and fatigue. Because the symptoms are so similar among different types of infection, the illness can be difficult to diagnose or identify. While most respiratory illnesses go away on their own, some require medical intervention. In this article, you’ll learn about viral, fungal, and bacterial respiratory … Read more

The Latest in Eczema Research: New Potential Treatments For Eczema

What is Eczema? Atopic dermatitis (AD), better known as eczema, is a condition in which red (or on darker skin tones, sometimes brown or purple), itchy patches of skin flare up on various parts of the body. As a chronic condition, eczema tends to flare periodically, sometimes coupled with asthma and/or hay fever. According to the National Eczema Association, an estimated 31.6 million people (more than 10% in the U.S.) have eczema. Atopic dermatitis typically presents in childhood, affecting approximately 9.6 million U.S. children — of which a … Read more

Patient Story: Judy, a Research Study Participant at Meridian

What led you to participate in a research study? I heard about it on Facebook. The money intrigued me, but then the chance to help move us forward toward the end of the pandemic hooked me. Is this your first experience with clinical research? What was the process like? I’ve participated in a couple other research studies before. I personally have always thought of clinical trials as a pretty cool thing. I like the idea of being part of a solution. The process was smooth. Phone interview, appointment … Read more

Cytomegalovirus: An Overview and Recent CMV Vaccine Progress

About Cytomegalovirus (CMV) You might not have heard of cytomegalovirus (pronounced site-oh-mega-low-virus), or CMV, but you’ve probably been infected with it. Over half of adults have been infected with CMV by age 40. While most CMV infections cause no symptoms, when a baby is born with a cytomegalovirus infection, known as congenital CMV, it can cause long-term health problems. About one out of every 200 babies is born with congenital CMV and almost one-fifth of all newborns with congenital CMV will face long-term health problems. Symptoms and Illnesses … Read more

Patient Story: Mike, a Research Study Participant at Meridian

mike - meridian clinical research patient testimonial

What led you to participate in a research study? I was scrolling through my news feed one day and saw a sponsored advertisement for Meridian looking for participants interested in a COVID-19 vaccine trial. Being a healthcare worker who spends my day in a hospital, and with the amount of COVID patients we were caring for at the beginning of the pandemic, it immediately sparked my interest. I have two small kids at home, and spend a lot of my day working with physicians and helping care for … Read more

Epstein-Barr Virus: An Overview and Recent EBV Vaccine Progress

Epstein-Barr Virus Transmission and Vaccine Development

About the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpes virus family, is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis (IM), generally known as mono. Sometimes referred to as the kissing disease, mononucleosis spreads easily through saliva and occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults. Most people will be infected with EBV in their lifetime. Symptoms and Illnesses Linked to EBV For most people, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections cause no symptoms. However, several illnesses caused by EBV infection — including mononucleosis — can cause symptoms. … Read more

Patient Story: Tanya, Parent of a Study Participant at Meridian

tanya - meridian clinical research patient testimonial

What led you to participate in a research study? Both of our older kids got vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they were eligible, and so it left us with everybody in the family being vaccinated, except our youngest. And that was hard for everybody. We felt like we had to be extra careful to make sure that we didn’t bring home a breakthrough case. When school started again in August with masks being optional, we decided, we’re going to do this, and just hope and pray that … Read more