USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has a robust and mature clinical research infrastructure designed to support investigators in the conduct of all cancer clinical trials. The Associate Director (AD) for Clinical Research oversees this infrastructure which includes the Clinical Investigations Support Office (CISO), the Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), and the Janice and Robert Hall Clinical Trials Biospecimens Laboratory. Furthermore, the AD for Clinical Research provides guidance and joint oversight to Data Science and Translational Pathology Shared Resources regarding activities related to clinical trials.
Contact Information:
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Clinical Investigations Support Office (CISO)
1355 San Pablo Street, DOH 100
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Telephone: (323) 865-0451
The Clinical Investigations Support Office (CISO) serves as the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center centralized clinical trials office. It provides a one-stop shop for all investigators conducting cancer clinical trials, independent of department or division. CISO services cover the entire spectrum of clinical trials development and conduct from design to protocol writing, regulatory activities, protocol conduct, quality assurance and oversight, and publication.
Mission: The Clinical Investigations Support Office (CISO) is a service-oriented organization dedicated to supporting the development, conduct and dissemination of cutting-edge cancer clinical trials that advance cancer care in an environment of excellence, integrity, and efficiency.
We offer comprehensive support throughout the entire lifecycle of a clinical trial, including:
At the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of clinical trials across all types of cancer. With more than 250 active clinical trials and a large cadre of nationally and internationally recognized expert physician investigators, we are proud to offer patients access to the latest innovations in cancer care. Our trials range from early-phase studies (phase 1) that evaluate novel therapies, some of which are developed in our own laboratories, to later phase trials (phase 3) that establish new standards for treatment—helping bring tomorrow’s therapies to patients today.

Associate Director for Clinical Research elkhouei@med.usc.edu

CISO Medical Director Diana.Hanna@med.usc.edu

CISO Associate Director Zeno.Ashai@med.usc.edu

Assistant Director for Clinical Research Operations xiomara.menendez@med.usc.edu