Clinical trials play a major role in the advancement of scientific research. However, people have several misconceptions and are unclear about where to start when it comes to participating in a clinical trial. We are talking to Dr. Emma A. Meagher, Professor, Medicine and Pharmacology, Vice Dean, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania and VP of University of Pennsylvania Health System, about the basics of clinical research, its importance for medicine and public health thereby clarifying related misapprehensions. The discussion will also touch upon the effect of the pandemic and how the clinical research field continues to evolve.