Alicia ventured into the idea of Aureus in 1997 after functioning as a Regional Monitor for a large pharmaceutical company. She has an extensive monitoring background, including special populations and Phase I clinical trials in a number of therapeutic areas. Alicia is a member of the DIA Faculty for the Advanced Clinical Research Topics course and for the DIA Investigator Certification Preparation course. She has lectured extensively on clinical trial monitoring and conducted numerous CRA, CRC, and Investigator training programs for industry associations, sites, sponsors, and IRBs. Alicia leads the instruction of both the Coordinator and Investigator Training classes.
Bronwyn Westling, MS Clinical Research Associate
Bronwyn joined Aureus in 2006 as a Clinical Research Associate. Currently she monitors studies in cardiology, pulmonary disease, and other internal medicine settings. A former paramedic, Bronwyn has her Masters degree in Genetics. In her former clinical research career, she was the Research Supervisor for a large cardiology group practice. As the proud Mom of three, Bronwyn is very active in community and school activities. Bronwyn is also a member of ACRP.
Bruce McDonald, BS Certified Hypnotherapist
Bruce is involved with business development, marketing and advertising for Aureus. He is a speaker at courses offered through the “Fear No Yellow Stickies Training Institute”. After years in the field of Public Health, Bruce became a hypnotherapist and motivational speaker. He presents his energetic programs that include stress reduction, communications and goal setting throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Australia.
Cindy Dunn, RN, MSN, CCRA, CCRP ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PROJECT SUPPORT
Cindy joined Aureus in 1999 after almost 2 years as Lead CRA with a large CRO. A native of Canada, her nursing background includes oncology research, Medical/surgical, Cardiac, Neurology, Diabetes, and Transplant nursing. She currently monitors a broad range of therapeutic areas. She completed her Masters degree in Science/Nursing specializing in Clinical Research Management at Duke University. Cindy serves our organization as the Assistant Director, Project Support. Her other roles include: auditor, project manager, administrator for our nursing continuing education programs; and instructor in our Coordinator training series. Cindy is a member of ONS, ACRP, and SoCRA
Elaine Boos , RN, BSN, CCRA, CCRC Clinical Research Associate
Elaine joined Aureus in 2006 as a Clinical Research Associate after a career in nursing and home health care. She was also a study coordinator in both outpatient and inpatient settings including many programs in the Phase I environment. Currently, Elaine performs site monitoring in the area of neurology and women’s health. Elaine enjoys sailing and was a co-chair of the Pink Ribbon Regatta Breast Cancer fund-raiser. Elaine is also a member of ACRP.
Jennifer Davis, CCRC, NREMT-P Team Leader, Training Services
Jennifer joined Aureus in 2005 after spending five years as Certified Clinical Research Coordinator and the Director of Education for a trial management organization. Her medical background includes emergency medicine as well as coordinating multi-therapeutic trials in areas such as infectious disease and women’s health. She previously conducted training programs for Coordinators and Investigators in clinical trial conduct and Good Clinical Practice. Jennifer currently coordinates the Coordinator and Investigator training courses for the "Fear No Yellow Stickies Training Institute". She is also an Instructor in our Coordinator training series. She is a member of ACRP.
Jill Petro, BS, CCRA, CCRC Senior Clinical Research Associate
Before Jill joined Aureus in 2008, she worked in the clinical research field for 15 years. She has been a Clinical Research Associate for two large pharmaceutical companies, working on Phase I to IV studies in hematology, orthopedic surgery, infectious diseases, central nervous system and oncology. She has also established the clinical research department in a large, multi-specialty group practice. At Aureus, Jill performs on-site monitoring and assists with the design and instruction of our training courses. She is an active member of ACRP.
Lisa Eisenmenger, BSN, CCRA Clinical Trial Specialist
Prior to joining Aureus in 1998, Lisa spent three years with a large CRO performing on-site monitoring services in the Southeast. Her areas of specialty include cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, and infectious disease as well as any project based in the ICU/CCU setting. Lisa received her BSN degree from Spaulding University and served as a in-hospital Nursing Educator for many years. She is also an Instructor in our Coordinator training series. Lisa is a member of ACRP and SoCRA and has been a certified clinical research associate since 2000.
Myra Smith Office Manager
Since 2004, Myra has supported our group as the Administrative Assistant and Office Manager. After many years as a coordinator in the field of clinical research, Myra joined our team to support our office and administrative needs. Her career in clinical research exceeded 12 years in the outpatient setting. A native of New Orleans, Myra is our resident “green thumb” and an avid animal lover.
Ricky Brock, RN, CCRA Senior Clinical Research Associate
Ricky joined Aureus in 2007 after 5 years as a regional monitor and project lead for a CRO. Prior to that position, he worked as the outpatient manager of a large, academic research site in Louisiana, managing 25 coordinators, and overseeing the employee-training program for the site. His nursing background includes emergency and critical care nursing locally, and in several large hospitals settings across the country. Currently, he monitors in several therapeutic areas including COPD and women’s health. Ricky is also a member of ACRP.
Stephen Lazzari, MA, Ph.D. , CCRP Assistant Director
Stephen came to our group in 1999 from an academic setting of research and counseling. Stephen serves our organization in various capacities including Clinical Field Operations and Project Manager, Clinical Trials Specialist, Technology Leader, Instructor in our Coordinator training series, and EDC expert for our organization. Stephen's therapeutic areas of expertise are CNS, HIV, and HIV-related illnesses. He completed his PhD in 2002. Stephen is a member of DIA, ACRP, and SoCRA. Originally from Trinidad, and raised in Venezuela he is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Terry Mitchell, PHR Office Manager / Human Resources
Terry joined our group in January of 2008 bringing years of experience as a Human Resources Director in Fortune 500 financial and manufacturing industries. She provides expertise in all areas of human resources, computer software and programs, and gives administrative services that support our forward-looking organizational needs in a rapidly changing workplace. Terry moved from Southern California to New Orleans in 2004.
Alicia B. Connelly Regulatory Document Specialist
Before Alicia joined Aureus in 2010, she worked in the clinical research field for 18 years. As part of a nationally-recognized program in hematology/oncology, Alicia managed a team of research and medical professionals across university, public and private hospital/clinic affiliations. She also has experience as a clinical research coordinator with mental health research. Alicia’s experience as a Regulatory coordinator, IRB coordinator and Board member further strengthens many Aureus services. Alicia performs the role of Regulatory Specialist, coordinating site start-up activities and supporting the investigator-initiated services of the organization.
