Meet The Team

Investigators

Christopher Galloway, MD

Principal Investigator

Stephen Quaning, MD

Principal Investigator

Clinical Team

Santiago Santelis, MD, MS

Site Director/ Project Manager

Jennifer Avila

Research Assistant

Marjorie Mathieu

Laboratory Technician

Arnaldo Acosta

Project Manager

Administrative Team

Sandra Torres, RN, BSN

Executive Director of Patient Engagement, Marketing, & Diversity

Lesli Leimer, PharmD

Director of Pharmacy

Carlos Baez, MD

Director of Laboratory Services

Kristen Grube

Director of Quality and Compliance

Candace Baird

Director of Regulatory

Kimberly Stokes

Director of Psychometric Operations

Angela Thorn

Senior Human Resource Director

Stephanie Cassidy

Senior Director of Clinical Initiatives & Community Affairs

Kerry Lovelace

Senior Director of Business Development & Strategic Growth

Callie Arnold

Director of Accounting

Gina Cedano

Director of Recruitment

Mike Isaac

Associate Director of Digital Marketing

Michelle Montone

Director of Marketing

Bradley Alexander MBA

Clinical Operations Coordinator & Analyst

Carri Faircloth

Strategic Sourcing & Business Engagement

Linda Colon

Administrator of Global Data Management

Christina Banks

Administrator of Global Data Management

Alyssa Peter

Administrator of Global Data Management

Gisel Kautz

Mobile Clinic Manager

Ame Cordero

K2 Experience Ambassador

Beatriz Castillo

Clinical Research Navigator

Dennis Moya

Clinical Research Navigator

Diadette Gonzalez

Account Manager

Elizabeth Duque-Buckham

Mobile Clinic Coordinator

Cathryn Pendleton

Mobile Clinic Coordinator

Heather Reyes

Mobile Clinic Technician

Yakira Colon

Marketing Specialist

Britney Graves

Data Entry Specialist

Nichole Molina

Marketing Assistant

Sandi Sundstrom, RN

Feasibility Specialist

Rebecca Barros

Quality Control Associate

Maria Williams

Account Manager

Maritess Coronel

Source Document Specialist

Emily Alavarez

Quality Control Associate

Cortney Fretz

Source Document Specialist

Christopher Galloway, MD

Principal investigator

Christopher Galloway, MD is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with 20 years of clinical experience.  Dr. Galloway joins K2 as an experienced Principal Investigator having participated in over 100 clinical trials over multiple therapeutic areas and specializing in Neurodegenerative trials.   Dr. Galloway earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and is a graduate of New York Medical College.   He completed his residency at Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth).  He is bilingual in English and Spanish. 

Stephen Quaning, MD

Investigator

Stephen Quaning, M.D. is the Medical Director and Chief Physician at MetroHealth. A graduate of the St. George’s University School of Medicine, he completed his internal medicine residency and geriatric fellowship at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in 1998-99. He became Board Certified in Geriatric Medicine in 2000.

Since assuming control of MetroHealth in 2002, Dr. Quaning has overseen all aspects of medical programming and patient services. Under his direction, MetroHealth has developed into one of the premier providers of expert geriatric medical care in the Central Florida area.

Dr. Quaning identified his interest in geriatric medicine at a young age while serving as a caregiver for his aging grandfather. He saw firsthand the important role that personalized care can play in preserving quality of life during one’s later years. Dr. Quaning believes that the goal of geriatric medicine is not only to extend life expectancy, but also to extend the period of high-functioning time in a person’s life.

An avid reader, Dr. Quaning enjoys learning about Eastern philosophy. He continuously seeks new ways in which to apply the lessons learned in his readings to his daily life and business. MetroHealth visitors will notice Eastern elements incorporated into the office decor, a reflection of Dr. Quaning’s personal style.

When he is away from work, Dr. Quaning enjoys spending time and travelling with his wife and their daughter. He also enjoys pursuing his aviation license in fulfillment of his longtime love of flying. Dr. Quaning is also the CEO of MH Geriatrics Management, LLC, an affiliated management services organization. He obtained an Executive MBA from Rollins College in 2006.

Stephanie Biscay, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Investigator

Stephanie Biscay, DNP, APRN, FNP-C is a Florida native who grew up in Ormond Beach.  Her goal is to assist each patient with a better quality of life while improving health outcomes.  Stephanie loves spending time with her husband, 3 children, 2 grandchildren, and her goldendoodle. She enjoys watching her son compete in cross-country, spending time in or around water, traveling, playing board games, and volunteering.

Samuel Dunlop, DNP, NP-C

Investigator

Samuel Dunlop, DNP, NP-C began his nursing career working in a cardiovascular intensive care unit for seven years before returning to school to gain a deep knowledge and understanding of how health and medicine could work together to improve his patient’s lives.  He has always loved science and learning how the body works, which make his position with us all the more meaningful. 

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. 

Sandra Torres, RN, BSN

Executive Director for Patient Engagement, Marketing and Diversity

Sandra Carmona Torres currently serves as the Executive Director for Patient Engagement, Marketing, and Diversity 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.

Carlos Baez, MD

DIRECTOR OF LABORATORY SERVICES

Bio Coming Soon.

Kristen Grube

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE
Bio Coming Soon.

Candace Baird

DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Bio Coming Soon.

Stephanie Cassidy

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Bio Coming Soon !

Gina Cedano

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.

Bradley Alexander MBA

CLINICAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR AND ANALYST
Bio Coming Soon.

Linda Colon

ADMINISTRATOR OF GLOBAL DATA MANAGEMENT
Bio Coming Soon.

Christina Banks

ADMINISTRATOR OF GLOBAL DATA MANAGEMENT
Bio Coming Soon.

Alyssa Peter

ADMINISTRATOR OF GLOBAL DATA MANAGEMENT
Bio Coming Soon.

Gisel Kautz

SITE DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH SPECIALIST
Bio Coming Soon.

Yakira Colon

COMMUNITY OUTREACH NAVIGATOR
Bio Coming Soon.

Sandi Sundstrom RN

FEASIBILITY SPECIALIST
Bio Coming Soon.

Join a Study

If you are interested in learning more or participating in any of our studies, please fill out the form below and our office will get back to you within 1-2 business days. 

*By signing up you agree to be contacted about clinical research studies by our company, its affiliates or partners. Typical methods of contact include phone calls, text messages, pre-recorded messages, emails, automated technology or postal mail. This includes if the number is currently on any Do Not Call Lists. As we contact you, your electronic record will be updated accordingly with current relevant health information. This consent is not required to participate in a clinical research study.

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.