A Pioneer in Clinical Research Education, Senior Associate Dean Barbara Gladson DeMarco is Set to Retire
After more than three decades, Rutgers School of Health Professions Senior Associate Dean for Education and Professor Barbara Gladson DeMarco is retiring on Sept. 1 from a career that helped shape clinical research education and workforce training at Rutgers and beyond.
DeMarco joined Rutgers in 1990 as a faculty member in rehabilitation and movement science, building on earlier clinical experience as an occupational and physical therapist. After earning a Ph.D. in Pharmacology, her career expanded across disciplines, including pharmacology, rehabilitation sciences, clinical investigation and academic leadership.
She went on to become associate dean for academic affairs and later senior associate dean for education, while also holding faculty appointments in the School of Graduate Studies.
“Dr. DeMarco’s career has been defined by a deep commitment to education and collaboration. She played a pivotal role in building partnerships with industry, expanding pathways for students, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence within the school,” SHP Dean Jeffrey DiGiovanni said. “Beyond her many accomplishments, she is widely respected for her collegiality, leadership, and dedication to student success.”
Much of DeMarco’s work focused on preparing the next generation of professionals in clinical trials and translational science.
Recognizing the growing complexity of clinical research, DeMarco in 2006 developed and directed the Rutgers Biopharma Educational Initiative, which brought together Rutgers schools and pharmaceutical industry partners to create online graduate education programs for biopharmaceutical employees and clinical research professionals.
She helped launch one of the nation’s early graduate programs in clinical trial sciences, the Master of Science in Clinical Research Management, which included mentored fieldwork experience. “Trials had become so complex, it was almost impossible to train people on the job. They needed to come into the field with both education and experience,” she said.
Under her leadership, the program became recognized for its interdisciplinary curriculum, which integrated tracks in regulatory affairs, clinical research management, and pharmacovigilance. This approach prepares three distinct types of clinical research professionals with the knowledge and competencies to transition seamlessly across roles, enhancing their versatility and marketability.
DeMarco played a central role in expanding training opportunities through NJ ACTS, the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science, a statewide initiative supported by the National Institutes of Health. Its goal was to translate clinical research more quickly into patient care and treatment. As part of the $29 million training initiative, DeMarco helped develop educational programs, fellowships and global training resources aimed at strengthening the clinical and translational research workforce.
Her research interests reflected a commitment to improving participation in clinical trials and broadening access to research opportunities. Her work examined strategies to improve subject recruitment, including the use of patient-targeted informatics to reach minority populations and increase public understanding of the value of clinical trial participation.
In addition to her research and administrative leadership, DeMarco taught courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology, hand rehabilitation, and cultural diversity in clinical trials, developed web-based courses, authored pharmacology textbooks and introduced microcredentials to Rutgers Health. She also remained active in national professional organizations, including the Drug Information Association and the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research, helping shape standards for clinical research education programs nationwide.
Over the course of her career, colleagues say DeMarco consistently emphasized collaboration across disciplines and institutions, helping Rutgers expand its role in clinical research education while preparing students and professionals for a rapidly evolving field.