In this epsiode of Leap Together, Tris Pharma’s Head of Clinical Operations, Liza Micioni, distills 25+ years of end-to-end study leadership. She discusses how durable physician relationships speed decisions and drive site follow-through, and how steady cross-functional rhythms keep “your delay becomes my delay” from taking root.

Liza unpacks the real trade-offs of the clin-ops triangle: time, budget, and quality. She explains that quality is non-negotiable, while timelines and budgets need to flex to meet reality. She shares practical stories of creative, “figure-it-out” logistics, when extending a timeline is the right call, and a grounded take on where AI truly helps (and where it doesn’t) in today’s trials.

Above all, her north star never wavers: improving individual lives, one patient at a time.

In this episode of the Leap Together podcast, we’re honored to feature Dr. Todd Bertoch, principal investigator and pain management researcher. Drawing on decades in the OR and more than 160 clinical trials, Dr. Bertoch shares how the opioid-first era shaped his early career and why he now champions multimodal, mechanism-targeted approaches that prioritize function, safety, and real-world impact.

Join us as Dr. Bertoch breaks down why pain is so hard to measure, how sites and sponsors can reduce participant burden without sacrificing rigor, and the moments that pushed him to challenge entrenched norms in study design. We also explore practical strategies for improving recruitment and retention, communicating realistic pain goals with patients and caregivers, and where the field is headed as new non-opioid targets and smarter endpoints emerge.

Tune in for a clear, grounded conversation on building faster, more inclusive pain studies and on what it takes to move beyond “raise the dose” toward care that truly improves patients’ lives.

In this episode of Leap Together, Zachary Gobst talks with Dr. Michele Reynolds, a family medicine physician turned ACRP-certified principal investigator who has led more than 400 clinical trials over three decades. What began as a “lucky accident” became a career defined by precision, patient education, and strong sponsor partnerships.

Dr. Reynolds shares how mentorship shaped her approach, why building trust with monitors and recruitment teams leads to better outcomes. She discusses how she’s navigated changes in the industry, from recruiting “right-fit” participants to contributing to pivotal vaccine research during COVID-19.

From lessons learned in the field to insights on maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle in research, this conversation is a masterclass in running studies that make a difference for both science and patients.