Lehana Thabane named president-elect of the Society for Clinical Trials

Lehana Thabane has been elected as the next president of the Society for Clinical Trials (SCT), the world’s foremost organization dedicated to the development and dissemination of optimal methods and practices in clinical trials. His term as president will begin in 2022. 

Established in 1972, and comprised of a membership spanning more than 34 countries, the SCT boasts a strong track record of advocating for the use of clinical trials to evaluate medical, surgical and behavioural interventions. 

“Randomized controlled trials remain the best approach for generating the best unbiased evidence for the best therapies, interventions, procedures and medications for treating health conditions or improving health outcomes,” said Thabane, professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact.

“I am honored and humbled by the trust placed on me by the SCT members to lead such a dedicated organization.”

During his tenure as president, Thabane intends to expand the SCT’s outreach beyond its primary networks to include high schools and universities, as it looks to foster interest among students in the field of clinical trials and increase its engagement and educational offerings through meaningful partnerships.   

Thabane will also oversee the launch of the SCT’s forward-looking development and mentorship program, an initiative aimed at pairing established members with early-career clinical trialists from around the world, as well as its new equity, diversity and inclusion framework to ensure there is diverse representation at all levels of the organization.

“Lehana’s unparalleled research expertise combined with his deep knowledge in the clinical trials space will no doubt prove beneficial to the SCT and its global membership,” said Alfonso Iorio, chair of the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact.

“His recent election reflects the perception of SCT members at large of his generosity and successful leadership style.”