Testimonials

Testimonials

• Although my time at Tufts CSDD was brief, I have such fond memories working with Ken, Mary Jo, and the rest of the team. I’ll always remember developing an extensive market model of biopharma contract service providers, traveling to the client, and presenting the results in person. The project perfectly encapsulates what makes Tufts CSDD so special: combining rigorous analysis, extensive team collaboration, and real-world application to advance drug development.
  
  Adam Matthias
  Director of Business Assessment, Pfizer
  Tufts CSDD Research Analyst (2011-2012)
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• The experience I gained from my six years working at the Tufts CSDD, first as an analyst, then as a project manager, was invaluable in my current career in epidemiology. I will never forget the friends I made while working at the Center or the intimidation of being surrounded by such accomplished faculty during our monthly staff meetings. When we published a study I felt proud to be part of the team as I witnessed the excited reactions from sponsors and the industry and I knew that we were providing a valuable and useful insights.
  
  Michael Wilkinson, Epidemiology Analyst, Optum
  Tufts CSDD Senior Research Analyst (2015-2021)
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• As a fresh out of undergrad research assistant at Tufts CSDD, I had an incredible opportunity to learn policy research in a continually growing area. The knowledge and skills I gained from CSDD set me up for the rest of my career. CSDD’s work is an invaluable contribution to understanding the US healthcare system by examining not only the process of drug development, but also the challenges of bringing a drug to market, and I continue to rely on it.
  
  Rachael Zuckerman, Ph.D., Director, Research and Analytics, AMGA
  Tufts CSDD Senior Research Analyst, (2007 – 2011)
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• Tufts CSDD was a unique experience for me. In my entire career, I've never been part of such an eclectic, multidisciplinary team. We approached drug development from all angles, using our own expertise but also that of our colleagues at the Center to work on research problems at the intersection of pharmaceutical innovation and access. And we did this in a collegiate and open environment, which is not an easy thing these days!
  
  Joshua P. Cohen PhD, Healthcare Analytics, LLC
  Assoc. Research Professor, Tufts CSDD (1999 – 2017)
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• Tufts CSDD serves a vitally important and unique role within the drug development industry by objectively collecting data from all stakeholders and putting that data into context in order to help the industry understand trends and changes and have a baseline upon which to act and improve. There is no other organization involved with clinical development that has amassed such a valuable cross-sectional repository of information offering deep insight into the industry as the Tufts CSDD.
   
  Tufts CSDD is an industry treasure as they continue to study, survey, publish and communicate critical developments and changes across Clinical Development. The multiple collaborative projects on which I have been privileged to work on with the Tufts Center represent some of my proudest accomplishments in this industry.
  
  Mary Costello, Advisor and Consultant
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• Tufts CSDD has been a key source to understand the complex ecosystem of clinical trials, evidence generation of all types and drug development. Throughout my career I’ve used the output of the CSDD and conversations with its leaders to ground me in knowledge and evidence about this complex system. In particular I’ve found the CSDD to be a great reference foundation for what needs to be improved and how to understand the levers that are important for changing the system for the better.
  
  Robert Califf, M.D., Instructor, Duke University School of Medicine
  Former Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration
• One of the highlights of my time at Tufts CSDD was the patient engagement work we led, particularly our efforts to make RCTs more patient friendly. That work was deeply rewarding, knowing it not only advanced research but also made a tangible difference for patients and the broader industry. After I transitioned into pharma, it was especially meaningful to see the ripple effects of our published research. Clinical teams reached out to me for input on their patient focused initiatives (once they learned that I was a part of their organization). Whether it was refining internal tools to assess participant burden or identifying the most impactful metrics for evaluating patient experience, those conversations reminded me how lasting and influential our work had become.
  
  Stella Stergiopoulos, Ph.D., Director, Value and Evidence US, Pfizer
  Tufts CSDD Senior Project Manager, (2009 – 2019)
• Tufts CSDD at fifty can truly claim a spot in the pantheon of evidence-based contributions to the body of knowledge in drug development. The roles of the Center in education (e.g. the annual and venerable Drug Development Course, where I was privileged to deliver the regulatory affairs portion for a dozen years, has impacted thousands of professionals) and in research (focused and timely studies on topics that matter daily to drug developers) have had and continue to have an influence on how people think about and plan clinical trials, protocols, study management, staffing, endpoints, and much more. The academic independence of the Center since its inception, pursuant to the vision of its legendary Founder Dr. Lou Lasagna, has elevated its credibility and quotability. Citing the Center’s data has long been a mainstay of presentations and publications in this field. Congratulations, CSDD, and best wishes for the next 50!
  
  Alberto Grignolo, Ph.D., FDIA, Editor-in-Chief, DIA Global Forum
  
• As our industry navigates unprecedented challenges—from deteriorating timelines to intensifying price pressures—CSDD stands as a lighthouse guiding our transformation. For five decades, their work has illuminated the path forward, turning complex trends into actionable insights that enable us to reimagine how we bring life-changing medicines to patients. The next 50 years of drug development will be shaped by the evidence and vision that CSDD continues to provide.
  
  Lionel Bascles, Ph.D., SVP, Global Head, Clinical Sciences and Operations, Sanofi
• Sincere congratulations on Tufts CSDD’s 50th Anniversary! This is an incredible milestone, and a true testament to the organization's enduring commitment to excellence.
  For half a century, Tufts CSDD has been the go-to organization for original and empirical research on the state of clinical trials, and is rightly regarded as a highly respected authority in our industry. Both Genentech and Roche have greatly benefitted from participating in and leveraging the insights from many Tufts CSDD studies. Many colleagues across Roche and Genentech have gained invaluable knowledge and professional growth by working directly on, or learning from, the findings of these crucial projects.
  Congratulations on 50 years of exemplary contributions to research on clinical trials! We look forward to many more years of working together.
  
  Virginia Nido, Global Head, Product Development Industry Collaborations
  R&D Excellence, Functional Impact Lead
  Genentech, a member of the Roche Group
  
• Wow, five decades of impact!! There is no doubt that the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development has played a defining role in shaping how the global industry understands, measures, and improves the drug development process. Personally, I have had the privilege of witnessing, and learning from, CSDD’s research for more than 40 of those years (proof that age really is just a number). Their data-driven insights have informed, guided, and mentored my thinking throughout my career.
  
  CSDD’s ability to bring clarity to the true costs, complexity, and timelines of drug development was instrumental in the creation of inSeption Group. There is no question that our success is deeply rooted in the groundbreaking work produced by Tufts CSDD which has enabled us to deliver improved best practices with a more transparent, patient-focused approach for our clients. We share Tufts CSDD’s commitment to supporting better decision-making across portfolio strategy, trial design, operational efficiency, and risk management, and I have no doubt we will continue to rely on CSDD’s trusted voice for insight and leadership in the years ahead.
  Thank you! Here’s to another 50 years of guiding our industry forward.
  
  Joe Arcangelo, Co-Founder & managing Partner
  inSeption Group