Biography

Guadalupe (Lupe) V. Aquino is a clinical trials specialist in the Clinical Research Resources Section of the Clinical Affairs Branch within NCATS’ Division of Clinical Innovation, where she leads and coordinates the Clinical Studies Group that ensures the safety of participants in human subjects research studies funded by NCATS. Aquino participates as a member of the Trial Innovation Network and represents the Center on multiple NIH-wide working groups and committees. She also serves as a subject matter expert in clinical trial operations.

Prior to joining NCATS in 2017, Aquino served as a clinical trials specialist in the Division of Clinical Research at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), where she managed a portfolio of clinical research grants and coordinated program efforts while serving as a Data Safety and Monitoring Board liaison. Additionally, she served as an expert resource for NINDS with respect to protocol development, implementation, clinical site and inclusion monitoring, and performance and tracking of study milestones and recruitment.

Before her tenure at NIH, Aquino served as a clinical trials manager with the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology to ensure clinical trials developed and implemented within the Alliance met the regulatory policies and procedures of the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She also ensured compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations and Good Clinical Practices.

Aquino holds a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Notre Dame of Maryland University and is in the process of earning a Master of Health Sciences in clinical research from the Duke University School of Medicine.

Professional Interests

Aquino’s research interests include clinical trial operations, regulatory affairs, clinical research and health disparities.