Meet The Team

Investigators

Clinical Team

Administrative Team

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John Stoukides, MD

Principal Investigator

John Stoukides, MD, is a board Certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Stoukides serves as the Chief, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, RI. He is the medical director of Roger Williams Senior Health Care Associates as well as Medical director at Rhode Island Mood & Memory Research Institute. He is a member of the Core Faculty of the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center at University of Rhode Island.

Daniel Sacchetti, DO

Principal Investigator

Dr. Sacchetti is a double board-certified vascular neurologist who joined K2 Medical Research–Rhode Island in 2025. He completed his neurology residency at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI, followed by a fellowship in vascular neurology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, NY.

Since completing his training, Dr. Sacchetti has remained on faculty as an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, in addition to holding numerous educational and administrative leadership roles. Prior to joining K2 Medical Research, he served as Chief of Neurology at Southcoast Health, a large multi-hospital healthcare system in southeastern Massachusetts.

Dr. Sacchetti earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College and a master’s degree from Boston University before obtaining his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine. A lifelong learner, he is committed to providing patients and families with the most current, evidence-based treatment options to optimize and preserve brain health.

Outside of his professional work, Dr. Sacchetti enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters, exploring the coast of Cape Cod and the Islands in the summer and the mountains during the fall and winter seasons.

Bill Menard

Managing partner, K2 East Providence

Bill Menard joined our team as the Managing Partner for K2 Rhode Island in February 2025 and will help K2 expand its network outside of Florida. In this role, Mr. Menard is responsible for strategic leadership, operations management, building relationships with clients, fiscal oversight, and ensuring overall site success.

Mr. Menard brings 25 years of research experience to K2, the last 10 of which were spent conducting research on Alzheimer’s research, working closely with Dr. Stephen Salloway. He worked on both the Eli Lilly Trailblazer and Eisai Clarity trials, which led to the FDA approvals of the first two marketed treatments proven to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

He has completed several leadership training courses, including the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute’s IMPACT-AD course in 2024, designed to support and prepare emerging leaders and researchers in the AD field. Outside of work, Mr. Menard enjoys cooking, music, watching sports, and spending time with family.

Tara Tang

Associate Director of Outreach & Recruitment

Tara Tang is the Associate Director of Outreach and Recruitment at K2 Medical Research, based in East Providence, RI. In this role, she is dedicated to fostering connections within both local and global communities, promoting awareness about clinical research, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias, and gaining insights from diverse populations to better address their health needs. Ms. Tang is deeply committed to advancing diversity in research and recognizes the meaningful impact it can have on participants and their families.

With over 12 years of experience in clinical research, she spent the last nine years at Butler Hospital’s Memory and Aging Program in Providence, RI, where she established and led the Outreach team. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded recruitment initiatives for leading pharmaceutical companies, the Alzheimer’s Association, research consortia, and early-career investigators consistently achieving enrollment goals.

In addition to her research work, Ms. Tang brings experience from previous roles in bilingual advertising and elementary education. She has also participated in several leadership development programs, including the IMPACT-AD course hosted by the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute in 2021, an initiative aimed at preparing future leaders in Alzheimer’s research. Tara holds a degree in Spanish and International Communications from Ithaca College. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, exploring global cuisines, and horse racing.

Sam Slezak

Lead Project Manager

Sam Slezak joined K2 Rhode Island in March 2025 as Lead Project Manager. In this role he is responsible for overseeing daily trial operations and contributing to clinical operations management and long-term strategy development.

Sam has a decade of research experience in the fields of exercise science, lifestyle interventions, and neurology. Prior to joining K2, he spent over 7 years working with Dr. Stephen Salloway conducting Alzheimer’s research. He has worked in a variety of research roles including serving as Lead Project Manager of the U.S. POINTER study and working as site Operations Manager.

Outside of work Sam enjoys traveling, trail running, playing soccer, cooking, and spending time with his girlfriend and their dog Leia.

Sarah DeForest

Laboratory Manager

Sarah DeForest joined K2 Rhode Island as the Laboratory Manager in March 2025. In this role, she oversees all laboratory operations across clinical studies and supports patient care, including performing EKGs, monitoring vital signs, and administering study medications.

Ms. DeForest brings over 15 years of laboratory experience, including 5 years in research lab management at the Butler Hospital Memory and Aging Program. There, she led laboratory operations for more than 20 clinical trials focused on Alzheimer’s research and managed a team of laboratory staff.

In addition to her civilian career, Sarah also brings valuable military experience, having served in the United States Air Force as a Medic specializing in Aerospace Medicine from 2009 to 2012. She was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., where she provided medical support in a high-paced, mission-critical environment. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her children, watching sports, and attending games.

Lesia Hise, CPA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Bio Coming Soon.

Marieke Cajal Berman, PhD

Vice President, Patient Experience & Marketing

Dr. Marieke Cajal Berman, Vice President, Patient Experience and Marketing, holds a PhD in Neurosciences from the Université Paris Cité in France. She has published peer-reviewed papers and abstracts at international conferences.

After research on brain development, she joined a clinical trial site network, Compass Research, in Orlando, Florida, to develop patient engagement, community outreach, physician relationships, and client relationships, first focusing on CNS research and later expending to liver disease and many other therapeutic areas. When the US based network became global via an acquisition by Bioclinica, now part of PPD, she helped establish unified patient recruitment and marketing processes across the US and European clinics. She served as Director of Patient Strategy and Innovation at ClinEdge, now Elligo, before joining Wake Research, where she oversaw the patient recruitment and marketing departments. She successfully launched a patient recruitment spin-off vendor there, supporting sponsors’ projects independently from the site services. She then applied her expertise in setting-up best-in-class processes and systems to support patient recruitment and marketing in clinical trials at Lightship, and Flourish Research before joining K2 Medical Research.

Sandra Torres, RN, BSN

Vice President, Engagement & Strategic Initiatives

Sandra Carmona Torres currently serves as the Vice President, Engagement & Strategic Initiatives at K2 Medical Research. A graduate from the University of South Florida with a nursing degree, she has dedicated over 10 years as a passionate registered nurse advocating for patients. Sandra began her career in research as an infusion nurse since she has held various leadership positions in clinical research. As a passionate advocate for patient engagement, Sandra recognizes the importance of ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds have equal access to clinical research opportunities. Through her exceptional leadership skills and her innovative and creative approach she has been able to build strong relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups. These partnerships have not only increased awareness about the importance of clinical research, but they have also helped to address and overcome the barriers that may hinder participation. Through her role as the Executive Director for Patient Engagement, Marketing, and Diversity, she continues to make a profound impact by ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to participate in clinical research. Her tireless efforts have not only transformed the lives of individuals within her community but have also contributed to the advancement of medical knowledge and the improvement of patient outcomes.

Lesli Leimer, PharmD

Director of Pharmacy

Bio Coming Soon.

Carlos Baez, MD

DIRECTOR OF LABORATORY SERVICES

Bio Coming Soon.

Kristen Grube

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE

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Kimberly Stokes

Director of Psychometric Operations

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Angela Thorn

Senior Human Resource Director

Bio Coming Soon.

Stephanie Cassidy

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Bio Coming Soon !

Katy Smith

Senior Director of Client Relations

Bio Coming Soon.

Callie Arnold

Director of Accounting

Bio Coming Soon.

Gina Lagares

Director of Recruitment

Gina Cedano is an accomplished professional specializing in patient recruitment within the clinical trials sector. Commencing her career in 2009, Gina embarked on a transformative journey by conducting grassroots recruitment in the Bronx, subsequently contributing significantly to the enrollment of 4,000 Hispanic subjects for a pivotal observational study. This achievement stands as a testament to her collaborative approach and strategic recruitment capabilities.

In her current role as Director of Recruitment at K2 Medical Research, a leading clinical research facility in the greater Orlando area, Gina leads a dynamic team responsible for both recruiting and prescreening subjects, guiding them with her expertise and fostering a culture of excellence. Aligned with K2’s commitment to promoting innovative and effective medical treatments while prioritizing participant safety and privacy, Gina plays a vital role in connecting patients with the treatments of tomorrow. Her foundational experience as a recruiter, prescreener, and recruitment strategist has been instrumental in shaping her comprehensive understanding of the field, enabling her to mentor and train professionals effectively.

Gina excels in formulating innovative recruitment strategies and harnessing data analytics to optimize operational efficiency, furthering K2’s mission to fight diseases and improve community health. Her adept problem-solving skills and leadership acumen underscore her dedication to advancing clinical research and setting industry benchmarks for excellence and innovation.

Outside the confines of her professional responsibilities, Gina’s creativity shines through her passion for crafts and DIY projects, adding a distinctive dimension to her multifaceted personality.

With a distinguished career marked by unwavering commitment and exemplary achievements, Gina Cedano continues to be a driving force in advancing clinical research at K2 Medical Research, consistently striving to make a positive impact on the health of local communities and the broader population.

Michelle Montone

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND OUTREACH

Michelle Montone joins K2 Medical Research as Director of Marketing with nearly a decade of experience in clinical trials. Specializing in forming community partnerships, educational programs, and promoting clinical research, Michelle is a Certified Meeting Planner with a primary focus on marketing and event planning for neurodegenerative diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Prior to joining K2, she provided operational support for various industries, such as Ripley Entertainment and the Judicial Circuit Court system. A scholar and an athlete, she obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in 2007 and won the All-SEC Freshman of the Year Award for the University’s softball team in 2004.

Originally hailing from South Florida, Michelle is bilingual: fluent in both Spanish and English. As a first-generation Cuban-American, she is well-versed in integrating cultures while still honoring their individual nuances; she hopes to use these skills to bring the benefits of medical research to traditionally underserved populations and end the stigma of clinical research in the Latin community once and for all.

In her free time, you can find her traveling, watching sports, and enjoying quality time with her friends and family.

Mike Isaac

Associate Director of Digital Marketing

Bio Coming Soon.

Linda Colon

Director of Global Data Management

Bio Coming Soon.

Bradley Alexander MBA

Clinical Operations Coordinator & Analyst

Bio Coming Soon.

Tail McNeil

CTMS Architect

Bio Coming Soon.

Carri Faircloth

Strategic Sourcing & Business Engagement

Bio Coming Soon.

Blake Carmichael

Human Resources Generalist

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Christina Banks

ADMINISTRATOR OF GLOBAL DATA MANAGEMENT

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Alyssa Peter

ADMINISTRATOR OF GLOBAL DATA MANAGEMENT

Bio Coming Soon.

Ame Cordero

K2 Experience Ambassador

Bio Coming Soon.

Santiago Santelis, MD, MS

Site Director, Holly Hill

Santiago Santelis, MD, MS, joins K2 as the Site Director for the Holly Hill location with over 15 years of clinical experience. Santiago has been published in several review articles, abstracts, and peer reviewed scientific journals related to the endocrine response to burns, and a proposal to standardize burn patient data. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Juan Lombana

Prescreen Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon.

Gisel Kautz

SITE DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Bio Coming Soon.

Arnaldo Acosta

Project Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

Elizabeth Duque-Buckham

Mobile Clinic Coordinator

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Cathryn Pendleton

Mobile Clinic Coordinator

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Paula Bui

Recruitment Specialist

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Beatriz Castillo

Clinical Research Navigator

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Yakira Colon

COMMUNITY OUTREACH NAVIGATOR

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Sandi Sundstrom RN

FEASIBILITY SPECIALIST

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Emily Alavarez

Quality Control Associate

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Rebecca Barros

Quality Control Associate

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Gian Colon

Project Manager

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Denise Hopkins, AS

Source document specialist

Bio Coming Soon.

Maria Williams

Account Manager

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Diadette Gonzalez

Account Manager

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Jonathan Nieto

Account Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

K2 is Closed for the holidays

All K2 locations will be closed from December 24, 2024 – January 5, 2025. We will reopen on January 6, 2025. In the meantime, please check out our website to learn more about our clinical research trials, our teams, and ways you can join our growing team.

Wishing you and your families a Happy Holiday Season!

Melissa Belardo, APRN

Clinical Investigator

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.

Meet The Team

Investigators

Clinical Team

Administrative Team

Michael Ames

Tina Blair

Jodi Slocum

Julien Nogues

Taylor Harris

Ram Nitta

Courtney Lorini

Eduardo Mendez Rivas

Alfredo Coronado

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John Stoukides, MD

Principal Investigator

Daniel Sacchetti, DO

Principal Investigator

Bill Menard

Managing partner, K2 East Providence

Tara Tang

Associate Director of Outreach & Recruitment

Sam Slezak

Lead Project Manager

Sarah DeForest

Laboratory Manager

Lesia Hise, CPA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Marieke Cajal Berman, PhD

Vice President, Patient Experience & Marketing

Sandra Torres, RN, BSN

Vice President, Engagement & Strategic Initiatives

Lesli Leimer, PharmD

Director of Pharmacy

Carlos Baez, MD

DIRECTOR OF LABORATORY SERVICES

Kristen Grube

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE

Kimberly Stokes

Director of Psychometric Operations

Angela Thorn

Senior Human Resource Director

Stephanie Cassidy

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Katy Smith

Senior Director of Client Relations

Callie Arnold

Director of Accounting

Gina Lagares

Director of Recruitment

Michelle Montone

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND OUTREACH

Mike Isaac

Associate Director of Digital Marketing

Linda Colon

Director of Global Data Management

Bradley Alexander MBA

Clinical Operations Coordinator & Analyst

Tail McNeil

CTMS Architect

Carri Faircloth

Strategic Sourcing & Business Engagement

Blake Carmichael

Human Resources Generalist

Christina Banks

ADMINISTRATOR OF GLOBAL DATA MANAGEMENT

Alyssa Peter

ADMINISTRATOR OF GLOBAL DATA MANAGEMENT

Ame Cordero

K2 Experience Ambassador

Santiago Santelis, MD, MS

Site Director, Holly Hill

Juan Lombana

Prescreen Coordinator

Gisel Kautz

SITE DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Arnaldo Acosta

Project Manager

Elizabeth Duque-Buckham