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The Villages, FL
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Meet The Team

Investigators

Craig Curtis, MD

Chief Medical Officer & Principal Investigator

Kimberly Salazar, MD

Principal Investigator

Ruth Paiano, APRN, CPI

Principal Investigator

Cheryl Klenow, MD

Principal Investigator

Clinical Team

Christian Beierschmitt

Managing Partner

Juliana Barrera, RPht, CPht

Clinic Director

Jenna Meador, BS, CSP

Associate Director of Operations

Mea Adams, BS

Lead Project Manager

Cori Ackerman

Project Manager & Psychometric Rater

Graham Alrutz

Project Manager

Daniel Beierschmitt

Project Manager

Miranda Calaverne

Project Manager & Infusion Nurse

Elma Fallejo

Project Manager

Devin Feliciano

Project Manager

Lluvia Munoz Morillo

Project Manager

Kylie Webster

Project Manager

Rebekah Murray, BS

Psychometric Rater

Destiny Puentes

Clinical Research Assistant

Carleigh Spivey, RBT

Clinical Research Assistant

Cheryl Bidwell

Laboratory Specialist

Jacob Meador

Laboratory Specialist

Elizabeth Ramcharit, RPhT

Pharmacy Technician

Nadia Teague, RPhT, CPhT

Pharmacy Specialist

Christopher Curtis

Clinical Operations Coordinator

Kim Gray

Community Connector

Sylvia Wolcott

Administrator of Global Data Management

Mckayla O’Donnell

Front Desk Coordinator

Administrative Team

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

Jodi Slocum

Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs

Kimberly Stokes

Director of Psychometric Operations

Angela Thorn

Senior Human Resource Director

Stephanie Cassidy

Senior Director of Clinical Initiatives & Community Affairs

Katy Smith

Senior Director of Client Relations

Callie Arnold

Director of Accounting

Gina Lagares

Director of Recruitment

Michelle Montone

Director of Marketing

Mike Isaac

Associate Director of Digital Marketing

Bradley Alexander MBA

Clinical Operations Coordinator & Analyst

Ram Nitta

Business Analytics Manager

Tai McNeil

CTMS Architect

Carri Faircloth

Strategic Sourcing & Business Engagement

Blake Carmichael

Human Resources Generalist

Linda Colon

Director of Global Data Management

Christina Banks

Administrator of Global Data Management

Alyssa Peter

Administrator of Global Data Management

Ame Cordero

K2 Experience Ambassador

Beatriz Castillo

Clinical Research Navigator

Gisel Kautz

Mobile Clinic Manager

Elizabeth Duque-Buckham

Mobile Clinic Coordinator

Cathryn Pendleton

Mobile Clinic Coordinator

Heather Reyes

Mobile Clinic Technician

Paula Bui

Lead Recruitment Specialist

Yakira Colon

Marketing Specialist

Britney Graves

Data Entry Specialist

Nichole Molina

Marketing Assistant

Sandi Sundstrom, RN

Feasibility Specialist

Rebecca Barros

Quality Control Associate

Emily Alavarez

Quality Control Associate

Gian Colon

Quality Control Associate

Maritess Coronel

Source Document Specialist

Cortney Fretz

Source Document Specialist

Yanela Vazquez

Lead Account Manager

Diadette Gonzalez

Account Manager

Jonathan Nieto

Account Manager

Maria Williams

Account Manager

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Dr. Craig Curtis, MD

Chief Medical Officer & Principal Investigator

Dr. Craig Curtis, MD, serves as Chief Medical Officer and founder of K2 Medical Research, The Villages and was co-founder of Compass Research, one of the country’s largest and foremost memory loss, Dementia and  Alzheimer’s Disease research centers.  Dr. Curtis’ research focuses on prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and as a collaborator, has been published in leading national and international journals including the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Neurology. He has been both a local and national lecturer on the topics of Alzheimer’s Disease and clinical research site management. Dr. Curtis is particularly interested in the underlying biology and prevention of memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease – and pursuing the science that one day will lead to an effective treatment. 

Dr. Curtis began his medical career while proudly serving in the United States Navy. His tour of duty lasted 6 years primarily at the Washington D.C. Naval Yard Medical Clinic, a detachment of Bethesda Naval Hospital. He attended the Univ. of Maryland but obtained his undergraduate degree from Regents College of the State of New York (due to military service) and earned his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine. 

Dr. Curtis trained at Florida Hospital (now Advent Health – one of the largest hospitals in the United States); at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where he participated in multiple oncology clinical trials; and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. He has maintained his Florida Medical license in good standing since 1997. 

Dr. Curtis lives in central Florida with his wife, 2 children and their Golden Retriever. His interests outside of medical research include cycling, tennis, WWII history and watching Cleveland sports teams.

Kimberly Salazar, MD

Principal Investigator
Bio Coming Soon.

Ruth Paiano, APRN, CPI

Principal Investigator
Bio Coming Soon.

Cheryl Klenow, MD

Principal Investigator
Bio Coming Soon.

Christian Beierschmitt

Managing Director

Christian is a lifelong Florida resident and currently resides in Leesburg. He is a trained EMT but found his true calling in clinical research. He has over a decade of experience in various clinical research roles and therapeutic areas and has been involved in over 100 clinical trials of all phases. 

Christian is happily married with one son. In addition to his position at K2 Summit Research in The Villages, he also owns and operates “Red’s Frenchies” with his spouse where they breed and show French Bulldogs. His hobbies include spending time and traveling with his growing family, CrossFit, and taking care of his farm.

Juliana Barrera, RPht, CPht

Clinic Director
Bio Coming Soon.

Jenna Meador, BS, CSP

Associate Director of Operations

Jenna moved to Florida from Missouri in 2021. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is a Board-Certified Specialist in Psychometry. She began working as a psychometrist in a neuropsychology clinic in 2019, where she administered cognitive testing to patients with a variety of diagnoses such as dementia, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and more. She then transitioned to research in 2021, where she has continued to work with similar patient populations.

Jenna’s two favorite things are her husband and their Pomeranian. When not working, she can be found playing with her puppy, watching scary movies, or doing ancestry research.

Mea Adams, BS

Lead Project Manager
Bio Coming Soon.

Cori Ackerman

Project Manager & Psychometric Rater
Bio Coming Soon.

Graham Alrutz

Project Manager
Bio Coming Soon.

Daniel Beierschmitt

Project Manager
Bio Coming Soon.

Miranda Calaverne

Project Manager & Infusion Nurse
Bio Coming Soon.

Elma Fallejo

Project Manager
Bio Coming Soon.

Devin Feliciano

Project Manager I
Bio Coming Soon.

Lluvia Munoz Morillo

Clinical Research Assistant
Bio Coming Soon.

Kylie Webster

Project Manager
Bio Coming Soon.

Rebekah Murray, BS

Psychometric rater
Bio Coming Soon.

Destiny Puentes

Clinical Research Assistant
Bio Coming Soon.

Carleigh Spivey, RBT

Clinical Research Assistant
Bio Coming Soon.

Cheryl Bidwell

Laboratory specialist
Bio Coming Soon.

Elizabeth Ramcharit

Pharmacy Technician
Bio Coming Soon.

Nadia Teague

Pharmacy Specialist
Bio Coming Soon.

Christopher Curtis

Clinical Operations Coordinator
Bio Coming Soon.

Kim Gray

Community Connector
Bio Coming Soon.

Sylvia Wolcott

Administrator of Global Data
Bio Coming Soon.

Mckayla O’Donnell

Front Desk Coordinator
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
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 !

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.

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

Director 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.

Gian Colon

Project Manager
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.

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. 

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! 

Learn More

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.