SNMMI Clinical Trials Network Research Series for Technologists: Imaging Contract Research Organizations, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and the Role They Play in Medical Imaging Research.

Clinical imaging research is a fast-growing, complex, and integral part of drug and therapy discovery and development. Research sponsors rely on outside vendors to manage their trials and deliver results they hope will demonstrate the efficacy of their product. Specialized vendors known as imaging contract research organizations have teams of highly trained and specialized professionals who lend their expertise to all aspects of imaging research management, of which nuclear medicine technologists are key team members. This article is part of the Clinical Trials Network Research Series for Technologists and will help provide an overview of an imaging research study from initiation to data delivery and the roles that nuclear medicine technologists and other imaging professionals play.