BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Alan Hamilton is a clinical scientist by training with extensive experience as a clinical program leader. In a 25-year career with Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) (1997 - 2021), Alan held several senior scientific positions, highlighted by his role as Global Clinical Program Lead for the once daily long-acting muscarinic antagonist / beta agonist combination, tiotropium/olodaterol (Stiolto) (2004 - 2015). In January 2022, Alan joined the COPD Foundation (COPDF) as Senior Director of Research and lead investigator for the PIVOT (Patient-Inspired Validation of Outcome Tools) initiative, with a major focus on activities related to the development and evaluation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for COPD, Bronchiectasis, NTM, and other chronic lung diseases. Alan also provides subject matter expertise to the COPDF on topics related to Pulmonary Rehabilitation, including exercise training and testing, self-management, and behavior change. Alan has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Nottingham University in the United Kingdom, a Master of Science degree in sports science from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom and a PhD in physiology/pharmacology from McMaster University in Canada. Throughout his academic and industry career, Alan has shown a particular passion for the development and evaluation of interventions that target the alleviation of breathlessness and associated activity limitation in COPD. Alan has authored or co- authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications in the area of respiratory research. Alan is a member of the planning committee and web committee for the American Thoracic Society Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly.

What is your interest in clinical trials?
• 25-year career as a Clinical Scientist in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Why do you think clinical trials are important?
• Clinical trials provide the essential evidence of treatment benefit (benefit-risk assessment) for medical interventions (both pharmacological and non- pharmacological) for decision-making in the regulatory and formulary environment and at the point of clinical care (patient-provider shared decision making).

What is your personal philosophy about clinical trial training specifically or mentorship in general?
• Problem-based learning, experiential learning and mentorship are key components of a well-rounded, effective, learner-centered, educational paradigm, aligned with psychological basic needs of autonomy, relatedness and competency as described in self-determination theory.

FUN FACT: Having grown up in England, and now living in Canada (since 1989), my accent is lost in the middle of the Atlantic!