David Rios, Head of Research at AZ Women’s Health, is a clinical research professional with extensive experience in GCP-ICH guidelines, study management, and patient advocacy — but don’t let the professionalism fool you. Behind the protocols and regulatory expertise is a man powered almost entirely by caffeine, sarcasm, and the occasional passive-aggressive “per my last email.”

Known for his high energy, quick wit, and ability to spot a protocol deviation from 100 yards away, David keeps research sites running smoothly while simultaneously reminding everyone that “urgent” and “poor planning” are not the same thing. He is deeply committed to patient safety, diversity and inclusion, health equity, preventative care, and making sure nobody skips over the amendments section during training.

When he’s not managing clinical trials, reviewing procedures, or advocating for early disease detection, David can typically be found asking hard-hitting research questions like:
“Who approved this font choice?”
“Why are there 17 versions of this document?”
and
“Did anyone actually read the protocol?”

Despite the sass, David is passionate about advancing women’s healthcare through innovative research, collaborative leadership, and maintaining balance — both in life and in Excel spreadsheets.