UCRA TEAM
Our Investigators Are All Board Certified, University Affiliated and Have Extensive Experience In Clinical Research Trial Conduct/Participation. In addition, our entire research staff is CITI certified and have completed the NIH training.
Our Research Coordinators Are Unique In That They Have More 35+ Years Of Combined Experience As Coordinators In Addition To Having Worked The Other Side Of The Research Spectrum As Clinical Research Associates, Monitoring Trials For Sponsors For More Than 10 Years.
This Unique and Extensive Research Experience Assures Our Sponsors Of Knowledgeable, Detail Oriented Investigators and Coordinators Who Are Aware Of The Importance For Clean And Accurate Data, Adherence To Protocol Guidelines, Attention To Sponsor Mandates and Federal Regulations While Adhering To Subject Safety and Good Clinical Practice.
Our Repeat Research Trials with Sponsors, Consistent Low Query Rates and Successful Subject Enrollment and Retention Rates Is Due To Our Continued Commitment To Excellence In Clinical Research
ALI CASTILONE, RN
PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
Ali has been involved in clinical research since 1991, beginning her career in research as a nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Millard Fillmore Hospital. It was there that she was introduced to the field when John J. Ricotta, MD, then Chairman of the Department of Surgery and a renowned vascular surgeon, offered her the opportunity to serve as his Research Coordinator.
That opportunity became the foundation of Ali’s career in clinical research. She remained in that position with Dr. Ricotta for six years, gaining firsthand experience in the conduct of clinical trials and developing a lasting appreciation for the important role nurses and other healthcare professionals can play in clinical research.
Ali subsequently joined a Contract Research Organization (CRO) as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA), where she spent nine years monitoring clinical trials. During this time, she developed a broader understanding of the clinical research process—from protocol development within pharmaceutical and research organizations, through FDA regulatory processes and site selection, to the implementation and conduct of clinical trials at research sites.
Wanting to contribute more directly to the day-to-day conduct of clinical research, Ali founded Upstate Clinical Research Associates in 2003. Her goal was to move beyond monitoring studies for sponsors and become directly involved in the complete research process at the site level.
Today, Ali is involved in virtually every aspect of clinical research at Upstate, including regulatory affairs, development of source documentation, protocol implementation, sponsor and CRO communications, and the recruitment, participation, and care of research volunteers.
Her extensive experience from both the sponsor/CRO and research-site perspectives provides her with a unique understanding of the clinical trial process and the importance of maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance, participant safety, and data integrity.
JAMES E. WILD, MD, FAAFP
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR / MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Wild serves as Principal Investigator and Medical Director, providing medical and clinical leadership for our organization and its clinical research programs. He has been with our organization for 20+ years.
As Principal Investigator, Dr. Wild has overall responsibility for the medical oversight and conduct of clinical research studies, with a primary focus on participant safety, protocol compliance, data integrity, and the highest standards of ethical clinical research.
Working closely with the research team, sponsors, CROs, and study participants, Dr. Wild provides medical oversight throughout each study, including participant eligibility, medical assessments, treatment decisions, adverse event evaluation, and ongoing monitoring of participant safety.
Dr. Wild works collaboratively with the research staff to ensure that study protocols and regulatory requirements are followed and that participants receive attentive, professional care throughout their research experience.
As Medical Director, Dr. Wild also provides clinical guidance and leadership across the organization, helping to maintain a strong connection between quality patient care and clinical research. This hands-on approach allows our team to provide participants with a safe, supportive, and professional research experience while maintaining the scientific and regulatory standards expected in clinical research.
Dr. Wild’s clinical expertise, leadership, and commitment to patient safety and advancing medical research are fundamental to the success of our clinical research programs.
SHARIFA FAZILI, MD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR / BOARD CERTIFIED IN OB/GYN
Dr. Fazili serves as a Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator, providing clinical expertise and medical oversight for our clinical research studies. She plays an important role in the evaluation and care of research participants, ensuring that studies are conducted safely, ethically, and in accordance with study protocols and applicable regulatory requirements.
As a Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator, Dr. Fazili is involved in participant evaluation and eligibility, medical assessments, treatment decisions, adverse event evaluation, and ongoing monitoring of participant safety. She works closely with the research team, sponsors, and CROs to support the successful conduct of clinical trials while maintaining a strong focus on participant well-being and the integrity of the research.
Dr. Fazili’s clinical knowledge, attention to patient safety, and commitment to quality clinical research make her a valued member of our research team and an important part of our organization’s mission to provide patients with access to clinical research opportunities.
CONNIE JOZWIAK-SHIELDS, ANP-BC, PhD
SUB-INVESTIGATOR
Connie is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner and serves as a Sub-Investigator, bringing her clinical expertise and commitment to patient care to our clinical research team. She plays an important role in the evaluation and ongoing care of research participants, working closely with the Principal Investigator and research staff throughout the conduct of clinical studies.
As a Sub-Investigator, Connie participates in participant assessments, medical evaluations, study visits, treatment-related decisions, and the identification and management of adverse events. She is committed to ensuring that participants receive attentive, compassionate, and professional care while clinical studies are conducted in accordance with study protocols and applicable regulatory requirements.
Connie’s clinical experience, dedication to patient safety, and compassionate approach make her a valued member of our team. Her involvement helps us provide participants with a high standard of clinical care while contributing to the advancement of medical research.
AMY STROMBACH, BS
VICE PRESIDENT / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Amy serves as Vice President and Business Manager overseeing the day-to-day business and administrative operations of our organization. She oversees the day-to-day business, administrative, financial, and operational functions that support the success and growth of our organization. She is involved in virtually every aspect of our practice and plays an integral role in supporting both our clinical and research operations.
Her responsibilities include financial management, budgeting, payroll, human resources, contracts, vendor relationships, staff coordination, scheduling, and administrative operations. Amy also oversees patient recruitment efforts, a vital component of our success in conducting clinical research and providing eligible patients with access to clinical research opportunities.
Working closely with leadership, investigators, and the research team, Amy coordinates resources and operations to ensure that our organization functions efficiently and effectively. She also works with sponsors, CROs, vendors, and other research partners to support successful study operations.
Amy helps ensure that our organization operates efficiently, responsibly, and with the highest standards of service and professionalism, while supporting our mission of providing patients with access to meaningful clinical research opportunities.
Amy’s hands-on leadership, organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage the many moving parts of a growing research organization make her an invaluable part of our team. Her commitment to both our patients and our research programs plays an important role in the continued success of our organization.
RYANNE SMITH, BS
Research Manager / Lead Clinical Research Coordinator
Ryanne serves as Research Manager and Lead Clinical Research Coordinator, providing leadership and oversight for the clinical research operations of our organization. She is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of clinical research studies, working closely with investigators, research staff, sponsors, CROs, and study participants to ensure that studies are conducted efficiently, accurately, and in accordance with applicable protocols and regulatory requirements.
Her responsibilities include study start-up and implementation, regulatory and essential document management, participant recruitment and enrollment, study visits and procedures, data collection and documentation, investigational product accountability, sponsor and CRO communications, monitoring visits, and coordination of study activities from initiation through closeout.
As a hands-on member of the research team, Ryanne works closely with investigators and research staff to maintain high standards of participant safety, data quality, protocol compliance, and regulatory adherence. She also helps train and support research personnel and oversees the daily workflow of the research department to ensure that study requirements and timelines are consistently met.
Her knowledge of clinical research operations, attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to quality make her an essential part of our research team and contribute to the successful conduct of our clinical research programs.
MICHELLE MIORI, LPN
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Michelle serves as a Clinical Research Coordinator, supporting the day-to-day operations and successful conduct of our clinical research studies. She works closely with the Principal Investigator, Sub-Investigators, research staff, sponsors, and study participants to ensure that study activities are organized, accurately documented, and conducted in accordance with study protocols and regulatory requirements.
Her responsibilities include coordinating study visits, assisting with participant recruitment and enrollment, maintaining study documentation, collecting and recording study data, communicating with study participants, and supporting sponsor and CRO activities. Michelle plays an important role in keeping studies on schedule and ensuring that participants receive attentive and professional support throughout their research experience.
Her organizational skills, attention to detail, reliability, and commitment to our participants make her a valued member of our clinical research team.