Brandon Lenox, DO is a board-certified anesthesiologist and epidemiologist with a long and distinguished career in medicine. As Chief Medical Officer of K2 Medical Research, Dr. Lenox provides the K2 team with over 20 years’ experience in clinical trials, medical research, and clinical practice. After earning his graduate degree in public health, he went on to graduate from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine with highest honors then completed his residency training at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Lenox served as an epidemiologist with Department of Health and Human Services and Florida Department of Health where he specialized in outbreak research and chronic disease prevention; his ground-breaking work has been featured in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals. In addition, he has pharmaceutical industry experience in the development of antimicrobials and has been the primary investigator on multiple studies. Most recently, Dr. Lenox served as the Chairman of the Clinical Governance Board and President of US Anesthesia Partners of Florida where he oversaw clinical and research operations of over 500 clinicians across the state of Florida. He also served as the Director of Neuroanesthesia and as member of the medical executive committee for Advent Health. Dr. Lenox is deeply committed to improving population health. He has spent most of his life determined to make a difference in the world and is a driving force for fostering change in the medical field and promoting the well-being of our community. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, surfing and spending quality time with his wife and three active children.

Dr. Sheila Baez-Torres joins the K2 medical team as a principal investigator. A neurologist and movement disorders specialist with over 12 years’ experience in the field, Dr. Baez-Torres’ main focus is neurodegenerative diseases- specifically dementia and Parkinson’s. After several years of inpatient and outpatient practice for Advent Health, she joined forces with Compass Research, an independent research facility where she participated as the acting clinical neurologist, providing supervision to patients enrolled in numerous clinical trials within her areas of proficiency. In addition to clinical investigator duties, she also lent her expertise in the referral and pre-screening processes at the site. In 2021, she opened her own successful private practice in Winter Park, Florida.

Dr. Baez-Torres’ academic background includes a bachelor’s in general science from the University of Puerto Rico, followed by her medical degree at Universidad Central del Caribe. After graduation, she completed her neurology residency program at Jackson Memorial Hospital at the University of Miami, then participated in a two-year fellowship in movement disorders and electromyography. Most recently, she obtained a master’s degree in business administration from University of Florida in Gainesville.

Dr. Baez-Torres is bilingual; she is fluent in both English and Spanish. She has two daughters and loves spending her free time with family and friends.

Alfonso Gonzalez, MD is originally from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. He went to college at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, where he earned a Bachelor of Science, graduating Cum Laude. He earned his medical degree from Ponce School of Medicine and completed an Internal Medicine Residency program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. In 2016 he completed an Executive MBA in Health Management and Policy at the University of Miami.

Dr. Gonzalez has 16 years of experience in Internal Medicine, in both hospital and private practice in Puerto Rico. In 2012, he relocated to Central Florida where he served as the post-acute division CMO for the largest Hospitalist group in Central Florida and later joined a Managed Services Organization where he served as Regional Medical Director.

As a Clinical Research Investigator, he has participated in several therapeutic areas including, Cardiology/Metabolic, Pulmonary, Nephrology, Vaccines, Gastrointestinal disease, sleep disorders, and Rheumatology.

Throughout the years he has served as Medical Advisor for Home Health Services and Hospice San Lucas, Ponce PR; Medical Advisor for the Puerto Rico Southern Office of the American Cancer Society; and Member and President of Lions Club International, PR chapter; He is currently the President of The Florida Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. He is also the Corporate Medical Director for Southern Healthcare Management, LLC.

Jennifer West, a certified physician’s assistant (PA-C), joins K2 Medical Research with more than a decade of clinical experience. Specializing in neurodegenerative disease research, namely Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, Jennifer has served as an investigator on over 30 trials. Prior to clinical research, she held roles in both primary and urgent care, which provided her a well-rounded background in general medicine.

Jennifer’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Secondary Education from Northern State University, followed by a master’s degree Physician Assistant Studies from the University of South Dakota. After graduation, Jennifer participated in the National Health Service Corp, where she provided quality healthcare to diverse and traditionally underserved communities.

While Jennifer’s medical training promoted a sophisticated understanding of disease processes, her background in education equipped her with tools to educate patients on the unique benefits of clinical trial participation. She doesn’t just advocate for her patients and their families; she teaches them how to effectively advocate for themselves.

A South Dakota native, Jennifer has lived in central Florida for the past eight years. When she’s not at work, you can find her painting, woodworking, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Melissa Belardo, is a certified family nurse practitioner (FNP-BC), joins K2 Medical Research with more than a decade of clinical experience. She has served as an investigator in over 20 trials. Prior to clinical research, she held roles in gastroenterology, hepatology, and nurse education.

Melissa’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Adventist University, followed by a master’s degree in Family Nurse Practitioner from Georgetown University.

Melissa is a native of the US Virgin Islands’ and is fluent in both English and Spanish; Melissa has lived in central Florida for the past twenty years. When she’s not at work, you can find her volunteering at her local church and spending time with family.