Supporting our principal investigators in the completion of each study is a clinical research staff of more than 18 professionals including Sub-Investigators, Site Manager, Subject Recruiter, Regulatory Administrator, Clinical Research Coordinator, and Office Coordinator. Our team has over 225 combined years of Clinical Research experience.
Dr. Craig LaForce is the
Medical Director of North Carolina Clinical Research. Dr. LaForce has served as the Principal Investigator for approximately 500 studies and a Sub-Investigator for a handful of trials as well. Dr. LaForce is Board Certified in Allergy/Immunology and Pediatrics. He is also a Certified Physician Investigator (CPI) and is a “hands on” Investigator. (Click
here for more information.)
Patti Becherer has been the Clinical Research Manager at NCCR since 1989. She has a B.S. in Nursing and is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC). Ms. Becherer has been involved in Clinical Research since 1986. As Site Manager she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of clinical trials at NCCR.
Our Clinical Research Coordinators (CRC) are the key to the success of a study. The CRCs are responsible for the day-to-day progress of each study. Our CRCs are all trained professionals with a variety of medical and research backgrounds, including RNs, LPNs, Medical Assistants, EMT, Paramedics, CCRCs, etc. Together our 11 coordinators have an average of 10 years experience in Clinical Research. Their qualifications include but are not limited to:
- Annual GCP Training
- CPR Certified
- OSHA Compliant
- NIH-Certified “Protecting Human Research Participants”
- IATA Certified
- Experienced with several EDC, IVRS and E-Diary systems
- Trained in ECG procedures, Phlebotomy, Spirometry, ENO Testing, Allergy Skin Testing
Jan Pochis has served as our Regulatory Administrator since 1997. Jan is responsible for all aspects of the regulatory filing and reporting in connection with our studies. Jan communicates with the IRBs and sponsors to assist in a smooth and timely turnaround of all regulatory documents.
Teresa Johnson is the Patient Recruiter at NCCR. As recruiter Teresa’s primary focus includes recruiting new patients to participate in clinical trials as well as matching previous patients with studies that meet both study and patient needs. Teresa has 14 years of experience in clinical research. Prior to her current position as recruiter she was Certified Clinical Research Coordinator at NCCR for 10 years.
Investigators/Sub-Investigators:
Dr. Karen Dunn is the Assistant Medical Director at NCCR. Dr. Dunn is Board Certified in Allergy/ Immunology and Pediatrics and has been conducting clinical trials for over 22 years. She is a Certified Physician Investigator (CPI) and has served in roles of both the Principal Investigator as well as Sub-Investigator in clinical studies conducted by NCCR.
Margaret Doherty, PA-C is the Physician Assistant with Certification since 2002. Ms. Doherty has served as a Sub-Investigator for NCCR since 2008. Prior to her current position she was the Assistant Clinical Research Manager for NCCR for 4 years, and a Clinical Research Coordinator for 3 years.
Dr. Alan Aarons is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Allergy/Immunology. He has been involved in clinical research studies since 1995. Dr. Aarons has served as both a Principal Investigator and a Sub-Investigator in studies with NCCR.
Dr. Vincent Firrincieli is Board Certified in Allergy / Immunology. He has been in private practice and has served as a Sub-Investigator in clinical research studies since 2003.