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-STATE : 21 YEARS
PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
Ali has been involved in clinical research since 1991. She was introduced to clinical research when the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Millard Fillmore Hospital, John J. Ricotta, MD a renowned vascular surgeon offered her the opportunity to be his Research Coordinator while she was working as a nurse in the SICU. To this day she feels that her success in clinical research is due to Dr. Ricotta giving her the opportunity she never knew existed for nurses. She held that position for with Dr. Ricotta for 6 years then pursued a position as a Clinical Research Associate with a CRO. During the 9 years she spent as a CRA, she became interested in the actual trial flow, from protocol conception in R&D departments, FDA approval processes, site selection and actual trial conduct. Knowing she could contribute more than monitoring a study for sponsors, she started Upstate Clinical Research in 2003 to be involved in the actual day to day conduct of an ongoing trial. In this setting she is involved in every aspect of the clinical research process including Regulatory, writing source documents, protocol implementation, sponsor and CRO interaction and volunteer participation and care. Ali is CITI and IATA certified and has completed the NIH course “Protecting Human Research Participants”.
JARED C. BARLOW, MD : 21 YEARS
MEDICAL DIRECTOR / PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Board Certified in Anesthesiology
Dr. Barlow has been involved in clinical research for over 35 years and has served as our Medical Director since 2003. He has had an extensive affiliation with the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY) as the Chairman and Executive Vice-Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology. He is also a Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at the University. In addition, he was the Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at Millard Fillmore Hospitals and the Medical Director / Administrator of Millard Fillmore’s Ambulatory Surgery Center. Dr. Barlow is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), International Anesthesia Research Society, American Medical Association, New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA), and the former President of the NYSSA, State of New York Medical Society and the Erie County Medical Association. He has served on 15 committees during his tenure at Millard Fillmore Hospital. Dr. Barlow has given numerous presentations to his colleagues and has authored many publications. He is an active Rotarian with the Chapter on Grand Island, NY. Dr. Barlow is CITI certified and has completed the NIH course “Protecting Human Research Participants”.
JAMES E. WILD, MD, FAAFP : 12 YEARS
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR / BOARD CERTIFIED IN FAMILY MEDICINE
Dr. Wild joined us as an investigator in 2005. He has conducted Phase II, III and IV trials as a Principal and Sub-Investigator. He is the Associate Medical Director of TLC Network and the Medical Director at Tri-County Hospital. Dr. Wild is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Physician Executives and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. Dr. Wild is also active with the State University of New York at Buffalo as a Preceptor to first year medical students for an “Introduction to Clinical Medicine”, a Preceptor for second year medical students for the “Rural Family Medicine” rotation, a Preceptor for third year medical students for the “Family Practice Rotation and Birth and the Family”. He is a practitioner in a large family practice that refers qualified subjects into our research trials. Dr. Wild is CITI certified and has completed the NIH course “Protecting Human Research Participants”.
SHARIFA FAZILI, MD : 7 YEARS
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR / BOARD CERTIFIED OB/GYN
Dr. Fazili joined our staff in 2014. She is board certified in OB/GYN and is involved in all of our women’s health research trials. Dr. Fazili has a large practice and refers qualified subjects into ongoing research trials conducted at Upstate Clinical Research. Dr. Fazili is CITI certified and has completed the NIH course “Protecting Human Research Participants”.
MAUREEN C. HELWIG, RN : 21 YEARS
RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR / LEAD CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Maureen has been with Upstate Clinical Research since its inception. She obtained her RN degree in 1989 and has always worked in the clinical research field. In addition to providing and coordinating clinical research trials, Maureen has a central role in assuring participant safety and integrity of protocol implementation. She oversees all clinical staff assuring compliance with regulatory requirements and reporting. Maureen is CITI and IATA certified and CITI certified and has completed the NIH course “Protecting Human Research Participants”.
CONNIE JOZWIAK-SHIELDS, ANP, PhD : 10 Years
SUB-INVESTIGATOR
Connie joined our staff in 2005. She has been a sub-investigator for Phase II, III and IV trials since joining Upstate Clinical Research. Connie is an adult nurse practitioner with a PhD in Sociology. She has been an Assistant Professor at Niagara University, State University of New York at Buffalo Trocaire College, and D’Youville College. She is a member of the American College of Nurse Practitioners, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, Sigma Theta Tau (National Nursing Honor Society), NYS Nurse Practitioners Association and the Nurse Practitioners Association of Western New York. She is CITI certified and has completed the NIH course “Protecting Human Research Participants”.
SHARON L. MILLER, ANP : 5 YEARS
INVESTIGATOR
Sharon joined our staff in 2015. She has been a sub-investigator for Phase II, III and IV trials since joining Upstate Clinical Research. She has a long history working with Hospice and is a wonderful addition to our many pain studies. Sharon is a member of the New York State Nurse Practitioners Association, Oncology Nurses Society, NYS Nurses Association & Sigma Theta Tau. Sharon it CITI certified.
RYANNE WATSON : 7 YEARS
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Ryanne has been with Upstate Clinical Research since 2012. She enjoys all aspects of clinical research, especially the interaction with research volunteers. She is currently attending ECC to complete her degree as a Registered Nurse. Ryanne is CITI certified and has completed the NIH course “Protecting Human Research Participants”.
AMY STROMBACH, BS : 10 YEARS
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT / RECRUITING SPECIALIST
Amy received her BS in computer science in 2008. She joined our staff in 2006. She is our lead recruiter and has excelled in this position with outstanding pre-screening interviews which have decreased our SF rates significantly. She has built and maintains our subject database which is state of the art with more than 11,000 subjects. Amy is CITI certified.