The Child Health Research Unit (CHRU) is a partnership between Children’s of Alabama, the UAB Department of Pediatrics and the UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). The Pediatric Research Office manages the unit.

Our mission is to provide an outpatient pediatric research unit that reduces barriers to the conduct of scientifically rigorous clinical and translational research. The CHRU facilitates the implementation of safe and age-appropriate clinical research protocols in a flexible fashion to accelerate our understanding and treatment of childhood diseases.

Application and Guidance

To utilize the CHRU, including the centrifuges located in the laboratory, please do the following: 

• Complete the one-page CHRU Application and submit it with the required attachments (IRB/WIRB approval, assent/consent form(s), Human Subjects Protocol (HSP) and research protocol) to Cheryl Perry.

• Once approved to use the unit, submit a reservation request form in advance of any CHRU visit to Melissa McBrayer. 

All protocols utilizing the CHRU must have a designated, protocol-specific physician with primary responsibility for the safe conduct of the study and must have IRB or WIRB approval. 

Study management in Epic may be required depending upon the type of research, use of study drug, schedule of events, etc.

The CHRU is required to generate revenue to support the activities of unit support personnel, to maintain equipment, restock disposable items, and cover the general upkeep of the Unit. In order to be consistent with other UAB research units and better cover costs, the pricing structure has been revised.  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. 

Investigators supply their own research coordinator and support staff for research conducted in the CHRU. If needed: 

• The UAB Clinical Research Support Program (CRSP) is a fee-for-service entity that may provide study coordination, phlebotomy service, regulatory form application completion, etc. Contact Pam Cunningham for more information and to access the CCTS Clinical Services application.

• The UAB Center for Injury Science's Research Assistant Program is a fee-for-service program with expertise in screening, recruitment, enrollment in the hospital setting. Contact Shannon Stephens for more information.

The CHRU maintains the following for research use. Contact Melissa McBrayer if you would like to tour the unit. Directions to the CHRU and information on parking are available here. 

• Triage room with scales and stadiometer

• Exam rooms

• Laboratory with two table-top centrifuges and -20 freezer for short-term storage

• Conference room space

• Locked storage space is available for storage of team supplies

• A -80 freezer is available on the 7th floor of Dearth Tower for short-term storage