Congratulations to Janet Manzo, a highly-regarded member of Canada’s research ethics community, on receiving the 2014 President’s Award presented by the Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards (CAREB).
The President’s Award recognizes a CAREB member for advancing the organization’s objectives through outstanding contributions and commitment to enhancing the protection of human research participants and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the processes of human research.
“I’m honoured to have been chosen for this award,” says Ms. Manzo. “I’m also surprised, because there are a lot of others in the research ethics community deserving of this award. And I am grateful to many of those individuals for generously assisting me along the way.”
With over 20 years of experience in clinical research, Ms. Manzo is Executive Director of the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (OCREB). In that role, she has led the refinement and successful delivery of an innovative model of centralized ethics review across oncology centres in Ontario.
Ms. Manzo is also a valued member of the Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO) team. She was seconded to CTO on a part-time basis in 2013 to assist with the development of a province-wide streamlined research ethics review system for multi-centre clinical trials, and harmonization of other administrative processes and platforms.
In presenting the award, CAREB President Rachel Zand called Ms. Manzo “instrumental in her contributions” to both CAREB and to Canadian research ethics more generally. “We know that she will continue to work with CAREB to promote research ethics efficiency and effectiveness from process to strategy.”
CTO President and CEO Susan Marlin said the award is richly deserved. “Ms. Manzo has worked tirelessly to advance clinical trials and promote ethically sound research. We are delighted that she has been honoured in this way.”
Ms. Manzo is an experienced oncology nurse and certified clinical research professional who bring various clinical research viewpoints, including the investigator site, the sponsor and the research ethics board (REB).
In 2002, she joined the Ontario Cancer Research Network (now Ontario Institute for Cancer Research) where she was responsible for the creation of a successful Clinical Trials Network to meet the needs of over 250 oncology clinical trials professionals across Ontario. She was appointed as Executive Director of OCREB in 2006.
A CAREB board member from 2008 to 2011, Ms. Manzo was instrumental in leading the development of the CAREB guidance document for Serious Adverse Event Reporting. As a member of the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Committee established to develop a National Standard for REBs, she also provided critical assistance to CAREB in developing its responses to the various CGSB draft standards.
In 2012, Ms. Manzo was appointed to the national Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) initiative External Advisory Committee for the Streamlining of Health Research Ethics. “I believe in clinical research and advancing clinical trials,” says Ms. Manzo. “I’m thrilled to be part of this important field, and inspired by the expertise and dedication of the people who serve on research ethics boards.”