By Ava Marie LaMonica ,Senior Editor
In Chandler, Arizona, under the bright desert sky, a quiet revolution is taking place—one rooted in loss, driven by empathy, and powered by innovation. Brenda Muriera, RN, BSN, CCRP, isn’t just another clinical research executive. She’s a woman on a mission to make sure that no cancer patient slips through the cracks of a system that too often misses the chance to offer hope.
After losing her father to lung cancer at just 51—without ever hearing the words “clinical trial”—Brenda transformed grief into a guiding light. With over 20 years of experience in oncology, nursing, and research strategy, she co-founded TrialNAV in 2022 alongside Dr. Tandy Tipps. Their shared goal: make clinical trials more accessible, more efficient, and more centered around the people who need them most.
Redefining Access to Clinical Trials
Brenda’s professional path reads like a roadmap of Arizona’s top oncology research institutions. She’s led cancer research networks at Banner/MD Anderson and shaped strategies at Dignity Health. But it was her hands-on experience as a clinical trial oncology nurse that ignited a deeper purpose: breaking down the invisible barriers patients face when navigating their cancer care.
“There are many promising cancer therapeutics in development, but there are also many barriers standing between potentially life-saving therapies and the patients who need them most,” she says.
That’s where TrialNAV comes in.
Empowering Sites, Patients, and Researchers
TrialNAV is more than a tech startup. It’s a community-focused clinical research solution hub that bridges the critical gaps between trial sponsors, research sites, and patients. Their flagship platform, StaffNAV, is the first web-based tool designed to evaluate oncology trial staffing acuity based on protocol complexity and individual competency. In layman’s terms? It ensures the right people are in the right place at the right time—so trials move forward, and patients get access faster.
Through partnerships with organizations like Clinical Research Fastrack and SQRL, TrialNAV also tackles one of the industry’s most pressing issues: staffing. Their tailored training and recruitment solutions aren’t just filling roles—they’re building sustainable career pipelines within the Arizona healthcare ecosystem.
Local Roots, Global Vision
Based in Phoenix, TrialNAV has flourished in Arizona’s thriving startup ecosystem. The state’s supportive infrastructure, including the Arizona Commerce Authority and access to powerhouse healthcare institutions like Banner Health, has allowed the company to scale rapidly. In 2023 alone, TrialNAV launched a clinical trial at a previously research-inactive community site, creating a new revenue stream and, more importantly, a pathway for patients to access cutting-edge treatments close to home.
Brenda credits Arizona’s collaborative ecosystem for TrialNAV’s ability to innovate in clinical trial technology.
Focusing on the Human Side of Innovation
Brenda’s story is as much about heart as it is about health. Her work is deeply personal. She isn’t just building software or launching trials—she’s trying to ensure that no family endures what hers did without knowing all the options.
TrialNAV’s entire model is built around patient-centricity. Every tool, partnership, and program is evaluated through the lens of improving lives. Whether it’s optimizing staff workload, launching StaffNAV, or mentoring new clinical researchers, the company operates under a guiding principle: the welfare of cancer patients must remain at the core of everything.
“We look forward to making a positive impact in the fight against cancer through doing all we can to improve cancer research and the lives of cancer patients and the people who love them,” Brenda says.
Looking Ahead: A Global Network Rooted in Arizona
Brenda and Dr. Tipps envision TrialNAV evolving into a global network of community-based cancer research centers, all leveraging the company’s technology and staffing solutions. It’s a vision deeply rooted in their Arizona beginnings but expansive in its potential reach. By elevating local research capabilities and placing patients at the center, they hope to change the very culture of clinical trials.
For Brenda, it’s about more than results, it’s about redemption. It’s about making sure that every person facing cancer gets not only treatment but the best possible chance at survival and quality of life.
And it all started in Chandler, with a daughter determined to rewrite the narrative for every patient who comes after. Learn more about TrialNAV and their mission to transform clinical research at www.trialnav.com.
