Meet The Team

Investigators

Clinical Team

Administrative Team

Translate Language

Select A Location

Kelley Yokum, MD

Principal Investigator

Dr. Kelley Yokum, a board-certified psychiatrist, joins K2 as co-owner and Principal Investigator at K2 Medical Research, Tampa. A Certified PI through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), she has provided clinical expertise on over 100 clinical trials in the last decade. Formerly the Medical Director of a prestigious independent research facility, she worked with populations ranging from pre-school aged children to the elderly and is proficient in a wide range of neurological and dermatological indications, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Tourette’s Syndrome, Schizophrenia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, to Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis, Vitiligo, and Pruritus.

Dr. Yokum holds a B.S. in Biology and obtained her medical degree from the University of Alabama’s Birmingham School of Medicine. She completed her adult psychiatry residency at the University of South Florida, where she obtained additional training in pediatric psychiatry. Dr. Yokum is devoted to maintaining good clinical practice and promoting ethics in research and is currently serving as a board member at Sterling Institutional Review Board (a nationally accredited IRB). She is the mother of three wonderful children and when she isn’t working, enjoys yoga, cooking, and art.

Raj Patel

Principal Investigator

Bio Coming Soon.

Lora Pea

Managing Partner

Lora Pea, a site operations specialist and registered nurse (RN) with nearly 20 years of clinical research experience, joins Tampa’s K2 Medical Research as Managing Director. Lora has spent the better part of her profession learning how to operate sites effectively and promote efficiency by streamlining operations without compromising the quality of patient care. She has held numerous positions including Site Director, Clinical Research Coordinator, and Neuropsychiatric rater, and has collaborated on hundreds of studies, in indications such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, arthritis, PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, Tourette’s, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, chronic pain, and more.

Over the course of her career, Lora has facilitated several key business functions including operations, financials, organizational structure, business development, contracts/budgets, marketing, and recruitment. Prior to her current role, Lora held the titles of Senior Manager of Feasibility and a Global Site Mobilization Manager for a worldwide clinical research network specializing in providing medical care to local communities using clinical trials as a primary resource. She is excited to bring this innovative, pragmatic, and integrative care concept to full fruition at K2 Tampa.

A University of Georgia graduate and big football fan, Lora enjoys watching college football games (Go Dawgs!) in her spare time. You may also find her boating on the weekends and soaking up the Florida sunshine with family, friends, and her 5-year-old Goldendoodle named Maple.

Natasha Wick

Sub-Investigator

Bio Coming Soon.

Zach Adams, DNP, CRNA

Sub-Investigator

Bio Coming Soon.

Patricia Delgado, DNP, AGPCNP, DCNP, PMHNP

Sub-Investigator

Bio Coming Soon.

Karina Perez

Lead Project Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

Amanda Jorgensen

Project Manager III

Bio Coming Soon.

Alexa Villanueva

Project Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

Brianna Grant

Project Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

Kaisha Walker

Project Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

Beth Ann Williams

Associate Director of Marketing & Recruiting

Bio Coming Soon.

Shreya Naik

Clinical Research Assistant

Bio Coming Soon.

Wendy Moreno

Clinical Research Assistant

Bio Coming Soon.

Nelson Tewari

Clinical Research Assistant

Bio Coming Soon.

Kaitlyn Turner

Clinical Research Assistant

Bio Coming Soon.

Angelica Navarro

Clinical Research Assistant

Bio Coming Soon.

Austin Meyers

Clinical Research Technician II

Bio Coming Soon.

Krystal Hampton

Pharmacy Technician

Bio Coming Soon.

Delia Moore

Recruitment Specialist

Bio Coming Soon.

Lissette Piloto

Recruitment Specialist

Bio Coming Soon.

Isabelle Schroeder Le Bourlegat

Regulatory Associate

Bio Coming Soon.

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.

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

Bio Coming Soon.

Candace Baird

DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

Bio Coming Soon.

Kimberly Stokes

Director of Psychometric Operations

Bio Coming Soon.

Angela Thorn

Senior Human Resource Director

Bio Coming Soon.

Stephanie Cassidy

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Bio Coming Soon !

Kerry Lovelace

Senior Director of Business Development & Strategic Growth

Bio Coming Soon.

Callie Arnold

Director of Accounting

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.

Mike Isaac

Associate Director of Digital Marketing

Bio Coming Soon.

Bill Menard

Associate Director of Strategic Operations

Bio Coming Soon.

Katy Smith

Senior Director of Client Relations

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

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.

Ame Cordero

K2 Experience Ambassador

Bio Coming Soon.

Beatriz Castillo

Clinical Research Navigator

Bio Coming Soon.

Gisel Kautz

SITE DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Bio Coming Soon.

Elizabeth Duque-Buckham

Mobile Clinic Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon.

Cathryn Pendleton

Mobile Clinic Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon.

Heather Reyes

CLINICAL RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

Bio Coming Soon.

Paula Bui

Recruitment Specialist

Bio Coming Soon.

Yakira Colon

COMMUNITY OUTREACH NAVIGATOR

Bio Coming Soon.

Britney Graves

Data Entry Specialist

Bio Coming Soon.

Nichole Molina

Marketing Assistant

Bio Coming Soon.

Sandi Sundstrom RN

FEASIBILITY SPECIALIST

Bio Coming Soon.

Rebecca Barros

Quality Control Associate

Bio Coming Soon.

Emily Alavarez

Quality Control Associate

Bio Coming Soon.

Maritess Coronel

Source Document Specialist

Bio Coming Soon.

Cortney Fretz

Source Document Specialist

Bio Coming Soon.

Yanela Vazquez

Lead Account Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

Diadette Gonzalez

Account Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

Jonathan Nieto

Account Manager

Bio Coming Soon.

Maria Williams

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.