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Clinical Research
CHRU

The Child Health Research Unit (CHRU) is a partnership between Children’s of Alabama, the UAB Department of Pediatrics and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Its mission is to provide an outpatient research unit to pediatric investigators that reduce barriers to the conduct of scientifically rigorous clinical and translational research. The CHRU facilitates the execution of safe and age-appropriate clinical research protocols in a flexible fashion to accelerate our understanding and treatment of childhood diseases.

Services are tiered to meet the needs of study protocols and a wide range of pediatric participants. Available facilities and services include space and equipment, subcontracted services, UAB outreach laboratory services, and storage of biologic specimens. We also offer support for study initiation, including study design, regulatory support, and budget preparation.

To meet the growing needs of our pediatric researchers, as of May 2017, we opened and expanded 2,547 square-feet CHRU facility on the 3rd floor of Dearth Tower. The CHRU space on the 7th floor of Dearth Tower is now known as the “CHRU Satellite.”

CHRU CollageThe new 3rd floor CHRU facility offers:

  • Reception/registration area
  • Triage room with scales and stadiometer
  • 6 well-equipped exam rooms
  • Office and conference space
  • Workspace with monitors & locked storage
  • A lab with centrifuge and freezer for short-term storage
  • An equipment storage room

The Satellite Facility continues to provide:

  • Three equipped exam rooms
  • Work areas for study teams
  • Scales (standing and infant)
  • Stadiometer and thermometer
  • Blood pressure monitor
  • ECG equipment
  • Oximeter
  • Oto/opthalmoscopes
  • Spirometry equipment
  • Nebulizer equipment
  • Refrigerated centrifuges
  • Cytospin and hematocrit
  • Glucometer
  • Specimen storage (limited -80C, -20C, and 0-4C)
  • Two sterile hoods
  • Digital laboratory scales
  • 40X - 100X microscope
  • Hemocytometer
  • Autoclave
  • pH meter

Investigators and research coordinators have access to CHRU research space and equipment. All protocols that utilize the Unit must have a designated, protocol-specific physician with primary responsibility for the safe conduct of the study and must have IRB or WIRB approval.

To restock disposable items, maintain equipment, and cover general upkeep of the Unit, we must assess charges to use the Unit. These charges are commensurate with those of other academic institutions. Budgets with sponsors should include unit utilization fees [$5000 start-up and $300 for Level I exam room use (4 hours or less), $600 for Level II use (>4-8 hours), and $900 for Level III use (>8-12 hours), all in direct costs] during the negotiation process. Pediatric Research Office (PRO) staff are available to assist with these negotiations to ensure that all costs are covered.

Don't see what you need? Have an urgent request? Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 205-934-7442.

  • “The CHRU’s flexible hours, private exam rooms for blood draws and cognitive testing, and conference rooms for qualitative interviews and family feedback sessions are invaluable resources for our research team and the families who participate in our studies.”


    — Marissa Gowey, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, UAB

Download

CHRU Reservation Request

Child Health Research Unit Application


Please return forms to:

Cheryl Perry, Ph.D.
Pediatric Research Office
Administrative Director
cperry@uab.edu

Melissa McBrayer 
Pediatric Research Office
Research Grants and Training
mcbrayer@uab.edu

Contact

Daniel Feig, MD, PhD, MPH
Director, CHRU