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Research

Welcome to the VA Long Beach Research Service. The United States of America has had a long history of supporting its defenders and this commitment guides the VA today. Championing medical research is one way the VA fulfills its obligation to serve Veterans.

The Long Beach Research Service supports the research activities of research investigators conducting clinical and basic research. Our facilities include a dedicated building for laboratory space, animal facilities and core facilities. We have additional space allocated for clinical research which includes phlebotomy area, clinical research lab area, exam rooms for participants’ visits, office space for clinical research staff, and conference rooms. Our clinical research lab is equipped with resources for sample processing, shipping, and local storage. The Long Beach VA Healthcare System is affiliated with the University of California at Irvine (UCI). There are many collaborative research projects between the VA and UCI and many investigators work jointly in both institutions.

About Us

The Research Service includes support of the Network of Dedicated Enrollment Sites (NODES), the NCI and VA Interagency Group to Accelerate Trials Enrollment (NAVIGATE), Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP), Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for post traumatic stress syndrome, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), and Center for VA Women’s Health Practice-based research network (PbRN) . In addition, we provide support for many basic science, animal, and epidemiologic research projects.

The Research Office supports the research team, facilities, and committees that oversee the research activities in addition to managing the pre- and post-award activities for VA-grants.

Where Do I Start?

As a Veteran, we thank you for your service to our country and for your interest in VA research. We value your input into how research is conducted at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, and will respond to the concerns, opinions and suggestions of research participants.

Research Participants (current, prospective or past), or their designated representatives, may contact our team to discuss any of these topics about research studies at the VALBHS:

  • General questions, concerns or complaints about research.
  • Research related injury.
  • Questions about your rights as a research participant.
  • Questions, concerns or complaints about a specific study when study staff are not available or when you would rather talk to someone other than a study staff member.

We are committed to handling inquiries in a safe, courteous, confidential, and reliable way. We will try to answer questions and resolve problems or concerns as soon as possible. If an issue cannot be resolved satisfactorily, it will be forwarded to the Administrative Officer for Research and/ or the Associate Chief of Staff for Research. In addition, contact information for Research Subjects Rights is on the last page of all VA Consent Form.

Join a Research Study

For research study volunteer opportunities at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, visit the National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials

Points of Contact

Tony Eissa MD

Associate Chief of Staff (Research)

VA Long Beach health care

Email: tony.eissa@va.gov

Amrita Ahluwalia PhD

HRPP Administrator

VA Long Beach health care

Email: amrita.ahluwalia@va.gov

Neil Hoa official picture

Neil Hoa

Research Compliance Officer

VA Long Beach health care

Phone:

Email: Neil.Hoa@va.gov

Alicia Del Villar

Administrative Officer

VA Long Beach health care

Email: alicia.delvillar@va.gov

Tamara H Bon

R & D Committee Coordinator

VA Long Beach health care

Email: tamara.bon@va.gov