Clinical Research
About the Clinical Research Center:
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma (AST) possesses inherent sovereign authority to regulate, oversee, and control all research activities conducted on AST lands, involving AST citizens, their data, and utilizing AST resources, consistent with the Tribe’s right of self-determination and self-governance as recognized by federal law, including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93–638, as amended), the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. §1601 et seq.), and Executive Order 13175 on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments; and with these sovereign rights, the AST-Clinical Research Center (CRC) was established on June 9, 2026, Resolution No. E-AS-2026-30.
The establishment of a Tribally embedded Clinical Research Center (CRC) will enable the Tribe to generate its own evidence, build internal research capacity among tribal citizens, and ensure that research conducted with and about AST members is culturally grounded, scientifically rigorous, and aligned with tribal priorities; and support the development and implementation of research that improves the health and well-being of the AST community.
The CRC has the authority to review, approve or deny, monitor, and oversee all health research activities that involve AST citizens, AST lands, ASTHS operations, ASTHS clinical data, or any data or resources belonging to the Tribe, regardless of the source of funding, the location of the research, or the institutional affiliation of the investigators.
The CRC is to also provide research infrastructure, regulatory support, data management, participant recruitment, and training opportunities for investigators and research staff.
Alicia Miller, MSM, MBA (Absentee Shawnee) serves as the AST-CRC Executive Director, providing strategic leadership and oversight of the organization's operations, partnerships, and long-term vision. Mrs. Miller works closely with staff, stakeholders, and community partners to develop and implement initiatives that strengthen organizational capacity, promote sustainable growth, and create meaningful impact.
More About Us:
Partnerships and collaborations
- OU HSC
Upcoming events:
(Future events will be listed below)
Contact Us:
Phone: 405.447.0300
Email: almiller@astribe.com
Current address: 1970 156th Ave NE Norman, OK 73026
Follow us on social media – facebook.com/asthealth