Meet our People

Sofia Baig

General Manager,
Clinical Solutions

Exceptional strategic leader, adept at driving organizational change and delivering top- and bottom-line business growth. Expert in strategic account management, global clinical development operations, and delivering transformational change inclusive of people, processes, and technology. Winner of multiple prestigious awards, including recognition as a 2021 PharmaVoice 100 most inspiring leader in the life sciences industry, and as part of a team, receiving the 2022 Catalyst Award for DEI work focused on improving women’s representation in senior leadership.

Chris Ellis

Regional Vice President,
Strategic Alliances
North America

Seasoned business development expert dedicated to working creatively within sponsors’ operational and financial parameters to bring new oncology and rare disease treatments to patients. Track record in establishing productive long-term relationships. Managed international oncology clinical operations teams, sales and marketing, and laboratory research.

Frances Murphy LLB (Hons)

Regional Vice President,
Clinical Business Solutions
EU & APAC

Leading authority in clinical CROs, focused on client services and regional growth implementation. Dedicated proponent of harnessing truly personalized medicine to develop more effective treatments for patients. Brings that passion to client support.

Teresa Pokladowski, MS

Regional Vice President,
Clinical Business Solutions
North America

Respected business development strategist, building successful clinical programs for clients in Massachusetts. Innovator of fresh approaches to biomarker planning, translational solutions, and clinical study design. Experienced in executing phase 1-4 clinical trials, specialty lab services, companion and in vitro diagnostic strategies, and biomarker data management.

Michael Towse

Vice President,
Business Communications

A dedicated communication specialist with a 20 year background spanning development across a diverse range of CRO environments; from business development to training. A diverse career working through the development of communication material, the delivery of communication and initiatives and time spent on the strategic alignment of sales and marketing strategies to corporate objectives and those objectives central to motivating staff, building teams and driving business forward.

Steven De Hertefelt

Senior Director, Strategic Development

Leading authority in CRO services, dedicated to delivering excellence to sponsors. Track record of establishing long-term relationships with sponsors and vendors. Working with pharma and biotech for over 15 years. Targeted focus on oncology drug development. Staunch proponent of precision medicine. Speaks eight languages.

Tania Wiens, MSc., MBA

Regional Vice President, Business Development

Biotechnology industry veteran with dual emphasis on research and business and a focus on translational sciences. Expertise spans biomarkers, oncology and rare disease, diagnostics, and translational medicine. Holds a Master’s in Veterinary Microbiology from the University of Saskatchewan, and an MBA from San Jose State University.

Michael Tarn

Director, Strategic Development

15+ years in healthcare and pharmaceutical practice including clinical undertaking and occupation. Bridging business development efforts and program implementation for successful clinical trial conduct. Serves as the primary business development contact for biotech and pharmaceutical clients for research and clinical trial efforts in the branch of medicine for non-oncological pharmaceutical drug development.

Rob Fannon, MPH, MBA

General Manager, Biospecimen Solutions

Respected veteran of the biospecimen and biomarker laboratory services industry. Honed his expertise through leadership roles in organizations including Roche, Cancer Genetics, and BioServe. Holds a Master of Public Health and a Masters of Business Administration from the Johns Hopkins University.

Angélique Heckmann, PhD

Executive Director, Translational Business Solutions, Europe & APAC

Passionate leader combining a scientific background in immunology with significant business development experience. Expert at supporting pre-clinical research and biomarker data analysis. Committed to balancing science, team coordination, and communication to achieve excellence in project delivery and accelerate oncology drug development programs.

Tobias Guennel, PhD

Senior Vice President, Global Translational Data Services

Distinguished expert working across the pharmaceutical and biotech space, leading regulatory submissions, translational informatics, and biomarker R&D. Clear focus on precision medicine-guided efforts, strategy, and medical device/diagnostic development. Led numerous analytical R&D efforts and developed novel methodologies to harmonize and analyze data from high-throughput assays, translating it to value at the patient level.

Matt Arnold

General Manager, Translational Sciences and EVP, Precision for Medicine

Strategic, highly collaborative biotechnology industry veteran, driven by opportunities to bring life-changing therapeutics to patients. Over two decades of global, cross-functional biotech and pharmaceutical experience, across both rapid growth and mature organizations, including leadership positions at AVROBIO, AstraZeneca, and Amgen.

Brad Epstein

SVP, Chief Marketing Officer

Recognized creative leader at traditional, direct and digital marketing agencies producing award-winning work and business results for pharmaceutical companies, financial services, healthcare systems and consumer brands. Branding strategist and lead generation expert for innovative healthcare and life sciences organizations.

Scott Marshall, PhD

Global Head, Translational Data Services and Alliance Management

Industry expert, leading regulatory submissions, translational informatics, and biomarker R&D for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Focus on precision medicine-guided efforts, strategy, and medical device/diagnostic development. Global responsibility for translational informatics R&D efforts. Has led the development of novel methodologies for patient stratification and biomarker guided clinical trial design.

Deborah Phippard, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer

Pharma industry veteran and expert at biomarker-driven clinical trial design and execution. Leader of biomarker and drug development programs for pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, as well as the National Institutes of Health. Spearheaded the discovery of pharmacodynamic biomarkers and novel targets for inflammatory disease therapy.

Carl Wilks

Senior Vice President, Clinical Trial/Project Management

Thoughtful and collaborative leader with extensive experience of functional management in clinical monitoring and project management across Europe and North America. Expertise in building quality & delivery focused teams to support strategic growth and support client needs. Phase I-IV experience in a wide variety of the therapeutic areas including oncology, vaccines, respiratory and rare disease.

Amir Kalali, MD

Chief Advisor, Global Head, Neuroscience

Globally recognized physician scientist leader and innovator at the intersection of life sciences and technology. Responsible for numerous successful drug development programs that have led to dozens of approved new treatments for patients. Current roles include Co-chair of the Decentralized Trials and Research Alliance (DTRA); Chairman and Chief Curator of the CNS Summit; Founding Chairman and Executive Committee member of the International Society of CNS Drug Development (ISCDD); Executive Committee member of the International Society of CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM); Lead Editor of Essential CNS Drug Development, Editor of Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience; and author of over 250 peer-reviewed publications, and numerous book chapters.

Roberto Lara

Vice President, Global Business Operations and Analytics

Long-standing international CRO authority in the oncology drug development industry. Expertise spanning commercial operations, oncology and clinical operations, partnership development, and investigator networking.

Eeva Laitinen

Vice President, Clinical Solutions, Project and Clinical Trial Management

Extensive experience in leading international Clinical Trial project teams across Europe and APAC in pharmaceutical industry and CRO environment. Reliable and flexible leader in managing execution of global clinical trials.

Amanda Woodrooffe, PhD

Senior Vice President, General Manager UK Labs

Experienced leader of scientific operations for drug discovery in both the pharmaceutical and CRO industries. Driven to provide actionable data enabling biopharmaceutical research and development. Collaborative partner ensuring licensing and scientific support for corporate development initiatives.

Agnes Pinnel

Senior Vice President, European Solutions

Industry leader in managing large global clinical trials. Co-founder of Argint International, a CRO providing clinical research and regulatory services to the pharmaceutical industry throughout central and south eastern Europe. Holds a masters in biology from Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Germany.

Ali Sadighian

Senior Vice President, Business Operations Rare and Orphan Solutions

Accomplished and versatile leader with clinical development and R&D experience gained from academia, biopharma, and several top CROs. Unique skills developed as a laboratory researcher at the UCSD School of Medicine, in quality control in the biotech industry, in clinical operations, and as a senior executive. Dedicated to helping innovative companies bring new therapies to patients and families in greatest need.

Andrea Cotton-Berry, MSc

Global Head of Strategic Development, Clinical Solutions

Notable authority in global operations, dedicated to fostering team spirit of excellence and collaboration with internal and external partners. Veteran of the quest to improve oncology therapies and extend lives, including 15+ years in oncology drug development, building on 10 years in obstetrics and women’s health.

Angelina Bisconte

Senior Director, Translational Biology & Biomarker Development

Authority in utilizing human primary biological tissue and cells in research and drug discovery. Developer of translational biomarkers for Phase I/II clinical programs in autoimmunity, inflammation and cancer. Expert in phenotypic cell-based assays using multiple primary cell systems such as T/Th17/T-regs, NK-T, B/Plasma/Plasmablasts, Myeloid cells, Dendritic cells (pDCc/mDCs), and MDSCs. Strategist in multi-parametric single-cell flow cytometry and analysis of flow cytometry data. Broad network of contacts at clinical sites and research hospitals, experienced with IRB submissions and clinical protocols. Scientific leader for Precision’s Biomaterials commercial sourcing.

Chad Clark

President

Recognized industry leader focused on combining cutting-edge technology, strategic program design, and operational excellence to help life sciences companies effectively address the increasing evidence demands and need to accelerate research initiatives. Previous experience spans the execution of phase I-IV clinical trials, specialty lab services, biospecimen logistics and banking, risk management, and patient support initiatives.

Cullen Taylor, MD

Medical Director, Biospecimen Solutions

Visionary dedicated to enabling collaborations that help facilitate efficient translational research, discovery and development. Full-time pathologist and founder of the uniquely consultative biospecimens company Glas. Believes that forward-thinking pathologists and laboratorians should play a critical role in realizing the promise of translational medicine.

Darren Davis, PhD

Senior Vice President

Visionary leader with more than 25 years of distinguished biotechnology and clinical translational research experience. Founded ApoCell in 2004 and later was instrumental in developing and commercializing the ApoStream® rare-cell liquid biopsy technology. Globally recognized cancer researcher and the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. Dedicated and committed to improving the lives of patients with debilitating diseases.

Elizabeth Ludington, PhD

Senior Vice President, Biometrics Rare and Orphan Solutions

Seasoned veteran of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries both through CROs and sponsor companies. Provides statistical, technical, and strategic expertise for preclinical studies, INDs, Phase I-IV clinical studies, eCTDs, and postmarketing studies. Statistical expertise includes study design, protocol review, and writing and reviewing analysis plans and statistical reports. Skilled at representing clients at meetings with regulatory authorities, and as a statistical consultant for programs at all phases of development.

Jared Kohler, PhD

Senior Vice President, Operations & Customer Solutions

Extensive industry expertise across the pharmaceutical and biotech space-translational research, data management, and statistical support-with a focus in precision medicine-guided efforts in drug and diagnostic development. Subject matter expert in genomics. Pioneered approaches in biomarker data management and has led Biometrics operations on over 70 clinical studies.

Jay Lezcano

Senior Vice President, Business Development

Clinical research veteran with a focus on strategic initiatives in the laboratory and biospecimen arena. Dedicated to helping pharmaceutical and life sciences clients innovate, develop, and commercialize next generation medical products.

Jesus Garcia, PhD

Scientific Liaison

Respected scientist and research investigator with expertise spanning biotechnology, medical science, technology development, and data analysis. Partners cross-functionally to identify and advance projects related to validation studies, method development, and reference standards.

Jim Boushell

Vice President, Biospecimen Solutions

Pioneer in the field of biospecimen procurement and co-founder of ProMedDx. Leader in the delivery of services for organizations in the biotechnology industry, including clinical study support and biostorage. Experienced executive with a demonstrated career of building innovative patient-centric biotech clinical programs. Focused on addressing the growing need for highly annotated, regulatory-compliant human biospecimens by the life science research communities.

Joseph Bower, PhD, MBA

Senior Vice President, Laboratory Operations

Experienced senior leader spanning the academic, pharmaceutical, and CRO industries. Specific expertise in biotherapeutics and vaccines for preclinical and clinical development programs and in identifying the appropriate immunochemistry assays for new development programs. Broad record of accomplishment leading global teams, delivering business strategies, developing business, and ensuring operational excellence.

Julia Amo, MBA, PMP

Chief Operating Officer, Oncology Solutions

Expert strategist for the pharmaceutical, CRO, and healthcare industries. Offers extensive multi-disciplinary drug development experience at the project, compound, and portfolio levels. Takes a sophisticated approach to the operations, infrastructure, and growth of Precision’s oncology division.

Karen Richards, RAC

Senior Vice President, In Vitro Diagnostics and Quality

Leader and innovator in the GMP/ISO/FDA/EU-regulated in vitro diagnostic (IVD) industry. Spearheads regulatory approvals worldwide for both novel and traditional IVD assays and products, as well as laboratory developed tests in the United States. Builds ground-up quality systems, meeting the requirements of US FDA, ISO 13485, CLIA, and CAP.

Karl Forner, MSc

Senior Director, Europe Lead Informatics

Respected expert in mathematics and fundamental and theoretical computer science. Strong focus on genetics. Developer of innovative bioinformatics algorithms for SNP analyses and genome-wide association studies. Avid proponent of and proactive contributor to the open source community.

Marc Lamarine, PhD

Senior Director, Europe Lead Operations

Distinguished expert in the analysis of large-scale, high-throughput genomics and genetics data. Statistical programmer combining computational and experimental methods in various therapeutic areas, including oncology and autoimmune disease.

Matthew Hall, PhD

Senior Director, Business Development

Influential strategy expert in end-to-end bioinformatics and artificial intelligence solutions for biomarker-guided drug development, maximizing the value and utility of biomarker data in clinical trials, CDx, and diagnostics. Previously CEO of SimplicityBio. Holds a doctorate in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Lausanne.

Patricia Devitt Risse, PharmD

President, Clinical Solutions

Widely respected industry leader and founder of ACT Oncology. Guides strategic protocol design and study optimization on behalf of sponsors. Has extensive experience in Phase I-IV trials for most indications, including solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. Leads integrated teams to combine the strength of biomarker insights with clinical outcome data to optimize the development pathway.

Pedro Faustino, MBA

Senior Director, Client Solutions

Industry leader with deep expertise in healthcare technology focused on using artificial intelligence to help biopharma and diagnostic companies solve the question, “Which therapy, when, and for which patient?” Extensive industry knowledge across the pharmaceutical and biotech space—translational informatics, biomarker R&D. Holds an MBA and is passionate about exploring interfaces between people and technology for effective communication.

Robert Ott, MBA

Senior Vice President, Business Operations

Vetran with deep knowledge of the contract research/pharmaceutical services industry. Provides project leadership and executive support to clients. Directs operational functions, resourcing, and business strategy internally, structuring oncology operations to match client needs.

Sean Pintchovski, PhD

Director, Neurology Solutions

Trusted leader driving multi-site research programs that leverage proprietary state-of-the-art technologies to identify, validate, and integrate next-generation biomarkers to advance clinical trials for a wide range of neurological indications. Able to generate novel hypotheses, then identify and develop the right methods to answer the right scientific questions.

Steve Dobbin

Senior Vice President, European Solutions

Industry leader with expertise managing large multinational clinical trials in 20+ countries across Europe, North America and APAC. Dedicated to providing quality, flexible and cost-effective solutions for clinical development programs.Co-founder of Argint International, a full-service CRO for phase I-IV clinical research trials. Holds a degree in microbiology from University of Warwick, United Kingdom.

Sven Olek, PhD

Senior Vice President, Research

Inventor, industry expert, founder and leader of Epiontis. Developed the patents forming the basis of Epiontis’s intellectual property. Conducted pre- and postdoctoral research at the Center for Molecular Biology and Biomedicine (ZMBH) of the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, San Diego, California, USA. Received a BSc from the Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, London, and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of London.

Ulrich Hoffmueller, PhD, MBA

Vice President Immune Monitoring Solutions

Veteran biochemist, industry expert, cofounder of Epiontis. Holds a Master’s in Biochemistry from Humboldt University, a PhD from the Charité University Clinic receiving the Charité Research Award, and an MBA from the Berlin School of Economics and Law, Berlin, Germany.

Al Blunt, MD

Senior Vice President, Medical

Noted authority in the drug development industry. Sought-after strategist providing guidance for and oversight of the design, conduct, and analysis of oncology trials, and hands-on leadership for Precision’s team of oncology medical monitors. Expertise honed in clinical trials from phase 1-3 for a wide variety of anticancer drug classes and cancer types.

Tina Patel, MS, MBA

Senior Director, Business Development

Healthcare industry veteran serving as the primary business development contact for life sciences clients in New England. Strategist focused on biomarker laboratory solutions for clinical trials across diverse indications. Holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Babson College and a Master of Science from Boston University.

Ted Foss, PhD

Senior Director, Biomarker Data Management Systems & Data Integration

Expert in multi-modal data management and analysis, with an extensive background in clinical NGS data. Deep experience developing methods across wide range of commercial, service, and operational verticals in biotech and clinical settings. Holds a doctorate in Biophysics from The Scripps Research Institute.

Stephen Rundlett, PhD

Vice President, Bioanalytical Services

Dynamic and diverse experience leading scientific, operational, marketing, and sales efforts for drug development programs. Specialist in the development and oversight of ligand binding and cell-based assays supporting immunogenicity, phamacokinetics, pharmacodynamic biomarkers and neutralizing antibody assessments.

Rachel Owen, PhD

Vice President, Immunology

Trusted global leader in immune-oncology and infectious disease research. Deep expertise in flow cytometry assay development, cell-based assays and biomarker discovery, clinical sample testing, and validation for early and late phase clinical trials. Client-facing strategist for translational studies.

Mairead Kehoe

Executive Vice President, Clinical Solutions

Veteran strategist and industry leader, with experience spanning all aspects of global clinical development for biotech, CRO and biopharma clinical research. Expert in end-to-end drug development operations, from early development through product approval.

Kennon Daniels, PhD

Senior Director, In Vitro Diagnostics and Quality

Scientific and regulatory in vitro diagnostic authority, specializing in the development of US regulatory strategies and FDA marketing submissions for IVD assays and instruments. Expertise spans all aspects of product development, analytical and clinical trial protocol designs, Q-Submissions, IDEs, de novos, 510(k)s, and pre-market approval platforms.

Katerina Kaleova, MD

Medical Director, Clinical Operations

Leading physician with deep experience in clinical operations and medical monitoring management for phase 1-3 studies across indications, including onco-hematological, rare, cardiological, dermatological, and pulmonological disease trials. Noted medical strategist with excellent understanding of the complete drug development process.

Etleva Pashaj, MD

Vice-President, Medical

Strategic, innovation-driven, drug discovery veteran—and board-certified oncologist—with extensive international (EMA and FDA) regulatory experience. Record of excellence in clinical development, medical monitoring and medical strategy, and managing and mentoring cross-functional and global teams for phase 1-4 onco-hematology studies.

Crystal Sung, PhD

Sr. Director, Cell & Gene Therapy Analytical CDx Services

Respected scientist and bioanalytical leader focused on clinical development of companion diagnostics for rare diseases and oncology. American board-certified medical laboratory immunologist. Holds a CLIA high complexity/New York State lab director’s qualification in Diagnostic Immunology and Clinical Chemistry.

Clare Sarvary Fourrier

Senior Vice President, Global Operational Strategy

Veteran of global oncology clinical operations, with in-depth experience in phase 1-3 oncology and hematology research as well as early-phase studies. Builder of world-class oncology research teams and leader of strategic growth of resources and operations across Europe. Keenly focused on study delivery, mitigation of study risk, and client service.

Amanda Napier

Senior Director, Global Program Management Translational & Lab Services

Industry veteran with deep expertise in large phase 3, open label and post marketing trials. Adept at managing potential execution and delivery constraints, working across teams globally to ensure that projects remain within the established timelines and budgets.

Veteran expertise from industry leaders in clinical trials, translational science, and transformative data

Meet Our People