The Society for Clinical Trials (SCT) selected Nikki Freeman, PhD, assistant professor of biostatistics & bioinformatics, as one of two recipients of the 2026 Emerging Leader Award.
“Winning this award and spending time at the annual meeting affirmed the deep value of clinical research and the worthiness of the time, effort, and patience it demands,” Freeman said.
The award recognizes early-career professionals who demonstrate a strong commitment to expanding representation and are poised to make significant contributions to the methodology, development, conduct, or dissemination of clinical trials.
Freeman joined the Duke Clinical Research Institute in 2024 and is now leading a platform trial for Long COVID, a phase IV trial for a mixed population of patients with coronary artery or peripheral artery disease, and a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) for diabetes distress in type 1 diabetes.
“[These experiences] have really enriched my own learning about trials and given me more perspective on the various stakeholders involved in clinical research,” Freeman said. She also conducts observational studies and mentors’ doctoral students developing Bayesian methods for statistical precision medicine.
SCT presented Freeman with the award during its 47th annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, last month. Freeman now plans to ‘pay-it-forward’ by serving as a volunteer for SCT.
Each awardee receives complimentary meeting registration, a one-year SCT membership, and up to $1,600 for travel and hotel expenses to attend the meeting.