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Committed to excellence in clinical research

At IAOCR, we are dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of internationally recognized certifications and accreditations designed explicitly for the clinical research industry. By collaborating closely with industry leaders, we have developed programs that ensure competency verification at your organization's core.

Who Are We?

  • IAOCR is the global leader in competency verification, accreditation, and certification in clinical research, earning the trust of sponsors, CROs, trade centers, NHS, supply chain organizations, and professionals in over 40 countries.

  • GCSA (Global Clinical Site Assessment) is the only internationally recognized quality certification for clinical research sites, developed over four years in collaboration with a Global Advisory Council of leaders from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, CROs, regulatory authorities, and healthcare providers.

Why Choose Us?

  • Industry-Created Standards: Our standards are developed collaboratively with the industry, incorporating contributions from over 20 organizations across six continents, and supervised by more than 200 global experts.

  • Two-Stage Independent Verification: We provide the industry's most rigorous and prestigious accreditation process, ensuring reliable quality and competence.

  • Patient-Centered Approach: We place patients at the heart of clinical research, ensuring better experiences, enhanced access, and safer, more effective trials.

  • Global Reach: Our certifications have international recognition and validity, with certified centers and professionals in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

  • Ongoing Support: Certified organizations benefit from post-certification marketing, industry visibility, and continuous improvement support, helping them stand out as leaders in clinical research.

What We Do

We offer globally recognized certifications and accreditations, ensuring that every organization and professional meets the required competencies in the clinical research sector:

  • Individual Accreditation for Professionals
    This ensures that clinical research experts possess verified skills according to global standards. Our exclusive frameworks align with UNESCO's International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). They are validated by global regulators such as the MHRA and the FDA, ensuring their transferability and international recognition.

  • Certification for Clinical Research Centers
    This validates that research centers and their teams operate confidently and securely in each clinical study. The independent and rigorous evaluation by GCSA examines seven critical operational areas of the center, including feasibility, patient commitment, governance, and business strategy. This enables centers to achieve operational excellence and position themselves as 'Partners of Choice' for sponsors and CROs.

  • Quality Assurance of Training Programs
    We validate the alignment of your business training programs with the essential competencies of the clinical research sector, ensuring that your staff receives the best possible education.

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Meet our Team

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Jacqueline Johnson

  • Visionary Leader in Global Clinical Research Standards

    Pioneering Global Excellence in Clinical Research

    Jacqueline Johnson North stands at the forefront of clinical research innovation as CEO and Co-Founder of IAOCR (International Accrediting Organization for Clinical Research) and GCSA (Global Clinical Site Assessment). For over a decade, she has revolutionized how competence, quality, and operational excellence are verified worldwide, ensuring patient safety and accelerating the delivery of life-changing therapies. Under her leadership, IAOCR has become the gold standard for accreditation, trusted by sponsors, CROs, and sites across 40+ countries.

    A Career Defined by Transformational Leadership

    • Founding IAOCR & GCSA: Established the first globally recognized accreditation programs for clinical research professionals and sites, bridging critical gaps in an industry previously lacking universal competency standards.

    • CEO of Future Shaper Holdings: Drives strategic initiatives to advance clinical research quality and safety through IAOCR’s parent company, fostering collaborations with regulators like the MHRA and FDA.

    • Architect of Industry-Led Standards: Spearheaded the development of UNESCO-aligned certifications, including the Business Process Quality Certification (BPQC) and GCSA’s 7-module site assessment, now adopted by leading organizations like Syneos Health, Parexel, and NHS trusts.

    Unwavering Commitment to Quality and Patient Safety

    Jacqueline’s work is rooted in a singular mission: to protect patients and uphold data integrity. She has been instrumental in:

    • Combating Fraudulent Practices: Led initiatives to address fake CRA applications, partnering with recruitment experts to implement safeguards that reduce risk to trials and organizations11.

    • Regulatory Advocacy: Collaborated with global bodies to align IAOCR/GCSA standards with ICH-GCP E8(R1) guidelines, earning recognition from the MHRA, FDA, and ANVISA.

    • Patient-Centric Innovation: Embedded patient experience metrics into GCSA certifications, ensuring trials prioritize participant well-being and diversity.

    Global Impact and Industry Recognition

    • Latin American Expansion: Championed IAOCR’s 2025 launch in the Americas, empowering regional sites to meet international benchmarks and attract high-value trials.

    • Trusted by Industry Titans: “IAOCR’s Workforce Quality Accreditation gives sponsors confidence that our teams have the skills to bring therapies to market safely.” –Alistair Macdonald, Former CEO, Syneos Health.

    • Award-Winning Collaborations: Partnered with NHS trusts, Re:Cognition Health, and Icon Group to certify 100+ sites globally, reducing protocol deviations by 45% and monitoring costs by 30%.

    Driving the Future of Clinical Research
    Jacqueline’s vision extends beyond compliance. She co-chairs the UK Clinical Trials Talent Taskforce, advising Parliament on workforce development, and hosts the annual Industry Leaders Think Tank to align stakeholders on global best practices. Her recent focus includes:

    • UNESCO-Aligned Education: Mapped IAOCR certifications to international education frameworks, enabling seamless career mobility for professionals.

    • AI and Risk Mitigation: Launched AI-driven tools to streamline site assessments and predict trial risks, enhancing efficiency for sponsors.

    A Legacy of Empowerment:
    “Clinical research is central to developing future treatments. Ensuring everyone involved is competence-verified isn’t optional-it’s essential.” –Jacqueline Johnson North

    Under her guidance, IAOCR/GCSA has certified over 1,000 organizations, including the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust and AGA Clinical Trials.

    Connect with Jacqueline
    [LinkedIn].

Headshot of Julio Martinez-Clark

Julio G. Martinez-Clark

  • Visionary Leader in Clinical Research Innovation

    Julio G. Martínez-Clark brings over 15 years of transformative leadership to the Americas’ clinical research landscape. As President of IAOCR/GCSA Americas, he spearheads the region’s mission to elevate clinical trial standards through globally recognized accreditations and certifications, positioning Latin America as a premier destination for high-quality, patient-centric research. Under his leadership, organizations gain access to UNESCO-aligned certifications and ICH-GCP-compliant accreditations, reducing trial risk by up to 60% and accelerating timelines for sponsors, CROs, and sites.

    Industry Leadership

    A trusted authority in Medtech and clinical research, Julio has partnered with 100+ Medtech companies since 2010 to operationalize trials across Latin America. His in-depth understanding of regional challenges, from fragmented regulations to patient recruitment barriers, has made IAOCR/GCSA the bridge between global quality benchmarks and local execution. By aligning Latin America’s ecosystem with IAOCR’s Global Advisory Board-endorsed standards (Novartis, Syneos Health, NHS), Julio empowers sites to cut protocol deviations by 45% and attract multinational trials.

    Advancing Clinical Research Excellence

    • Board Leadership: Former Chairman of Colombia’s Association for the Advancement of Clinical Research (AVANZAR), where he championed policies to streamline ethics approvals and attract international trials.

    • Medtech Advocate: Host of the LATAM Medtech Leaders™ podcast, featuring executives who’ve successfully navigated the region’s regulatory and operational ecosystems.

    • Published Expert: Author of featured editorials in Med Device Online, focusing on optimizing trial design and unlocking Latin America’s potential as a clinical research hub.

    Strategic Innovation & Partnerships

    Julio’s cross-sector expertise drives collaboration with:

    • Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™: Advised South Florida’s largest cardiovascular practice on trial commercialization strategies.

    • Government Agencies: Partnered with Colombian regulators to position the country as a competitive destination for global sponsors.

    • Startups: Mentored health-tech innovators at Macondo Labs, a top-tier incubator, fostering scalable solutions for clinical research challenges.

    Global Impact

    • Johns Hopkins Hospital: Modernized healthcare systems in Trinidad & Tobago through technology-driven initiatives.

    • Telecom Pioneering: Spearheaded cross-border solutions at Lucent and Nortel, honing expertise in scalable infrastructure.

    Education

    • MBA: Western New England University (Springfield, MA)

    • B.S. Electronics Engineering: Saint Thomas University (Bogotá, Colombia)

    Why Julio Leads IAOCR/GCSA Americas

    Julio’s unique blend of technical rigor, regional insight, and global vision ensures IAOCR/GCSA certifications deliver unmatched value. By aligning Latin America with ICH-GCP E8(R1) standards, he empowers sites to:

    • Reduce monitoring costs by 30% for sponsors.

    • Enhance patient retention by 25% through GCSA’s patient-centric framework.

    • Join 40+ countries leveraging IAOCR’s lifetime-accredited programs.

    His leadership has propelled partnerships with AGA Clinical Trials, bioaccess®, and Royal Berkshire NHS Trust, driving Latin America’s emergence as a trusted partner in global clinical research.

    Join Julio in Transforming the Americas into a Benchmark for Clinical Research Excellence.

    Connect with Julio:
    [LinkedIn] | [LATAM Medtech Leaders™ Podcast] | [Med Device Online Articles]

Certifications and accreditations enhance the quality of clinical research, open international opportunities, and validate expertise. Elevate your institution and career; take action now to lead in clinical research.