Small Wins, Big Impact: Lessons from Pediatric Oncology

What does it take to design clinical trials that truly put patients first—especially when those patients are children?In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, Dr. Radhika Peddinti, Medical Director at CTI, discusses her journey from pediatric hematology/oncology at the bedside to shaping clinical research at a global scale.Drawing on more than two decades of experience caring for children and their families, Dr. Pennant shares how those deeply human moments continue to influence how she approaches trial design today. From the emotional realities of pediatric oncology to the promise of gene therapies and targeted treatments, this conversation highlights the balance between scientific rigor and compassion—and why both are essential to advancing medicine.Together, they discuss how clinical trials can be designed to reflect real patient lives, the evolving landscape of rare disease research, and the leadership perspective required to make decisions that impact patients far beyond the clinic.If you're interested in the future of pediatric research, patient centered innovation, and what it truly means to move medicine forward, this episode is for you. 00:37 Meet Dr. Peddinti | Background in pediatric hematology/oncology and transition to CTI.01:17 Finding Her Path | From training in India to a career shaped by patient and family experiences.03:37 From Bedside to Research | Shifting focus to impact patients at a broader scale.04:00 The Reality of Pediatric Oncology | Challenges, resilience, and redefining normal for children and families.05:39 Expanding Impact Through Trials | Sickle cell research and the move into clinical development.07:33 Designing with Patients in Mind | Bringing real-life patient needs into clinical trial design.08:58 Balancing Science & Compassion | Why rigor and humanity are both critical to successful trials.09:30 Leadership Lessons | Showing up with honesty, empathy, and adaptability.10:47 The Future of Medicine | Breakthroughs in targeted therapies, gene therapy, and cure-focused research.13:15 Advice for Clinicians | You don’t need to check every box—your experience matters.