Dermatology Clinical Research  ·  Columbus, IN

Pioneering Skin Health
Through Research

Southern Indiana Clinical Research Center, LLC is a dedicated dermatology research site co-located with Dermatology Physicians in Columbus, IN — connecting patients with innovative therapies and helping sponsors bring breakthrough treatments to market.

Our Research Areas Refer a Patient
S

Who We Are

A Dedicated Dermatology Research Site in Columbus, Indiana

Southern Indiana Clinical Research Center, LLC is a dermatology-only clinical research site based in Columbus, IN, sharing office space with Dermatology Physicians — a dermatology practice that has proudly served the Columbus community for over 30 years. Our PI and dermatologist Sub-Investigator are board certified dermatologists who practice at Dermatology Physicians, bringing their full clinical expertise directly into the research setting.


Our dermatologists are trusted resources for practices across the state of Indiana, receiving patient referrals from providers statewide. We partner closely with pharmaceutical sponsors, CROs, and referring providers to enroll and retain participants and advance the treatments patients need most.

Rooted in 30+ Years of Dermatology Care
Our research site shares space with Dermatology Physicians, a Columbus institution with over three decades of patient care. Our dermatologists practice at both sites, bringing seamless clinical and research expertise under one roof.
Statewide Referral Network
Our dermatologists receive patient referrals from practices across Indiana, reflecting the trust and confidence that providers throughout the state place in our team and our work.
GCP Certified Team
All staff maintain current Good Clinical Practice certification and ongoing training in dermatology-specific research protocols and assessments.
30+
Co-located with Dermatology Physicians
Built on a Foundation of Community Dermatology Care
Southern Indiana Clinical Research Center shares office space with Dermatology Physicians, a Columbus-based practice serving patients for over 30 years. Dr. Sheehan and Dr. Heskett are active dermatologists at Dermatology Physicians, meaning participants benefit from the same trusted hands delivering their clinical care and their research oversight. This continuity between practice and research is a meaningful advantage — for participants, for referring providers, and for sponsors seeking a site with deep patient relationships and genuine clinical depth.

Our Team

Experienced Clinicians & Research Professionals

Our research team brings together board certified physicians, credentialed coordinators, and experienced research professionals — all working in concert to ensure every study is conducted with the highest standards of clinical rigor and regulatory compliance.

Principal Investigator
Dr. Michael Sheehan, MD, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dermatology Physicians · Columbus, IN
Dr. Sheehan brings approximately 7 years of dermatology research experience, with particular depth in dermatitis and inflammatory skin conditions. A practicing dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians, he receives patient referrals from practices across the state of Indiana. As Principal Investigator, he maintains close, hands-on oversight of every study — personally supervising all aspects of trial conduct, staff activities, and protocol adherence to ensure the integrity of each study.
~7 Years Derm Research FAAD Dermatitis Specialist Statewide Referrals
Sub-Investigator
Dr. Jordan Heskett, MD, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dermatology Physicians · Columbus, IN
Dr. Heskett is a board certified dermatologist with over 3 years of dermatology research experience who practices at Dermatology Physicians and performs clinical skin assessments for our research studies. Her active clinical practice gives her firsthand familiarity with the patient populations we study, and her hands-on expertise ensures accurate, consistent evaluation of dermatological endpoints throughout each trial.
3+ Years Derm Research FAAD Skin Assessments
Research Staff
Lead Study Coordinator · Sub-Investigator
Dr. Betty Uyesugi, MD, FAAPMR
Board Certified Physician
Dr. Uyesugi serves as both Lead Study Coordinator and Sub-Investigator, bringing over 5 years of dermatology research experience and a distinctive level of medical depth to the team. Her board certification and clinical background strengthen the quality and precision of study operations and assessments alike. She oversees day-to-day coordination of all active studies and contributes to sub-investigator responsibilities, working closely with Dr. Sheehan on protocol adherence, data collection, and participant management.
5+ Years Derm Research FAAPMR GCP Certified IATA Certified
Study Coordinator
Savannah Root, BA
Savannah brings nearly 3 years of experience working at Dermatology Physicians as a medical assistant, giving her an established familiarity with our clinical environment, patient population, and the day-to-day rhythm of a busy dermatology practice. She applies that foundation directly to her research role, supporting participant scheduling, visit coordination, data entry, and source documentation across all active studies.
~3 Yrs Derm. Physicians GCP Certified IATA Certified
Regulatory Coordinator
Wendy Layton
Wendy brings 1 year of dermatology research experience alongside approximately 10 years working at Dermatology Physicians — providing deep familiarity with the clinical environment and patient population we serve. She holds GCP and IATA certifications and manages regulatory documentation, IRB submissions, and study file maintenance to keep our studies audit-ready and compliant.
GCP Certified IATA Certified ~10 Yrs Derm. Physicians

Our Commitment to Quality

Rigorous Oversight at Every Step

Sponsors and participants alike can trust that our studies are conducted with disciplined attention to safety, training, and compliance from start to finish.

Hands-On PI Oversight
Dr. Sheehan is actively involved in day-to-day study operations — not a name on a form. He maintains direct, ongoing oversight of all study procedures, participant interactions, and data collection, ensuring accountability at every level of the trial.
Continuous Staff Training
All research staff undergo thorough training in study protocols, GCP requirements, and dermatology-specific procedures before participating in any trial. Training is ongoing and updated with each new protocol, amendment, or regulatory guidance to maintain the highest standards of practice.
Supervision of All Study Aspects
From participant screening and informed consent through final study visits and data lock, Dr. Sheehan directly supervises all aspects of the study — including regulatory documentation, source data verification, adverse event reporting, and protocol compliance throughout the life of the trial.

Therapeutic Areas

Skin Conditions We Specialize In

Our clinical research spans the full spectrum of dermatological conditions, with particular depth in inflammatory and chronic skin diseases.

Atopic Dermatitis
Contact Dermatitis
Psoriasis
Acne Vulgaris
Rosacea
Alopecia Areata
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Chronic Urticaria
Vitiligo
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Cancer Prevention
Nail Disorders
Wound Healing

What We Offer

Research Services

01
Full-Service Trial Management
End-to-end dermatology trial management from protocol review through site closeout, with regulatory compliance at every step.
02
Patient Recruitment & Retention
Targeted outreach to dermatology patient populations across Indiana, supported by an established statewide referral network and direct access to the patient base of Dermatology Physicians — a Columbus practice with over 30 years in the community.
03
Dermatology Assessments
Board certified dermatologists and sub-investigators performing standardized skin assessments using validated scoring tools including IGA, EASI, PASI, DLQI, and photography protocols.
04
Phase II–IV Studies
Broad capability across Phase II through Phase IV dermatology studies — from proof-of-concept efficacy trials to large-scale post-marketing effectiveness research.
05
Regulatory & IRB Coordination
Expert navigation of IRB submissions and FDA regulatory requirements to keep your dermatology study compliant and on schedule.
06
Sponsor & CRO Partnerships
Collaborative relationships with pharmaceutical sponsors and CROs focused on dermatology pipelines, from biologics and small molecules to topical therapies.

Why Choose Us

The SICRC Difference

Dermatology-Only Focus, Broad Clinical Depth
Our site conducts dermatology research exclusively — with all studies centered on skin disease assessment, derm-specific patient populations, and dermatology trial protocols. Our team brings a breadth of board certified clinical experience to that focus, ensuring competent, confident execution of every study.
30+ Years of Community Trust
Dr. Sheehan and Dr. Heskett practice at Dermatology Physicians, a Columbus institution with over 30 years of patient care. Participants receive their research oversight from the same trusted dermatologists they see in clinical practice — a level of continuity few research sites can offer.
Statewide Referral Network
Dr. Sheehan and Dr. Heskett’s reputations as trusted dermatology specialists draw patient referrals from practices across Indiana — giving sponsors access to a broad, well-qualified participant pool beyond the local area.
Audit-Ready Data Quality
Our meticulous approach to source documentation, skin assessments, and query resolution ensures clean, reliable data that sponsors can depend on.

For Referring Providers

Refer a Patient to SICRC

Dr. Sheehan and Dr. Heskett welcome referrals from dermatology and primary care practices across Indiana. Patients who may not have access to the latest investigational therapies locally can be referred to us for evaluation and potential enrollment in an active clinical study. Co-located with Dermatology Physicians, we offer a familiar, trusted clinical environment for every participant.

1
Contact our team
Reach out by phone or email to discuss the patient and which active studies may be a potential fit.
2
Patient screening
We conduct a thorough pre-screening to assess eligibility and ensure the patient understands what participation involves.
3
Enrollment & ongoing care
Enrolled patients receive close attention from our board certified physicians throughout the study, with communication back to referring providers as appropriate.
4
Study completion
When a patient’s participation concludes, we work to ensure a smooth transition back to their referring provider.

Get In Touch

Contact Our Research Team

Whether you’re a patient living with a skin condition, a referring provider from anywhere in Indiana, or a sponsor looking for a specialized dermatology site partner, we’d love to hear from you.

Location
360 Plaza Drive, Ste. C
Columbus, IN 47201
Co-located with Dermatology Physicians
Phone
812-418-7493