ACRP Scholarship and Grant Recipients

Justin Scott Brathwaite is currently a PhD student in Clinical Research at the University of Jamestown and a frequent contributor to ACRP’s peer-reviewed journal Clinical Researcher. His research examines artificial intelligence (AI) literacy among clinical research professionals to identify workforce gaps and help guide the effective integration of AI in clinical research. 

Ramya Krishna Chunduru, MS, ACRP-CP, is a Clinical Research Regulatory Supervisor and PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology whose work advances innovation within the evolving clinical research, regulatory, and compliance field. Her research focuses on artificial intelligence–informed methodologies to optimize regulatory workflows and strengthen compliance systems in oncology clinical trials. Through her scholarly publications, peer review contributions, and national presentations, she is committed to enhancing research integrity, operational excellence, and equitable healthcare outcomes. 

Hrucha Shielesh Damle is a 25-year-old professional from Singapore with a strong background in academic wet lab research, along with experience supporting industry-oriented grants and publications. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree as she transitions into the industry and continues to grow as a clinical research professional. Hrucha is motivated by contributing to the bridge between high-quality research and real-world clinical applications.

Kandy A. Pierre is a recent honors graduate from Medgar Evers College with a degree in biology and a passion for clinical research and patient advocacy. With experience as an Emergency Medical Technician, research assistant, and manager, she brings a unique perspective that combines direct patient care, scientific inquiry, and leadership. She is committed to advancing equity in clinical trials while pursuing a career as a clinical research associate. 

OluwaYemisi Aremu earned her Bachelor of Technology degree in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology, Minna. She has also earned certifications on Biobank 2x – Biospecimen Research Methods from the University of British Columbia, and others from the Center for Bioethics and Research, Nigeria, and CITI.  She is currently working as an independent researcher to further her academic and professional development. She has been a member of the Society of Toxicology since 2023. Her research interests include medicinal plants, cancer biology, genetics and cytogenetics, epidemiology, and disease control at the human–animal interface. She has three years of research experience.  

Samuel Asamoah is a physician assistant and clinical research professional with a strong interest in infectious disease epidemiology and strengthening research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. He currently works at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, where he supports clinical studies and contributes to improving evidence-based practice. His long-term goal is to advance high-quality, ethical clinical research that improves health outcomes in resource-limited settings. 

Catherine Chacín Cordido, DDS, MPH, is a distinguished clinical research leader with extensive experience in vaccine clinical operations, public health, and field epidemiology. She serves as Site Manager for the GAMMA Project’s Vaccine Research Unit at the University of Puerto Rico, where she oversees complex Phase I–III studies, ensures rigorous regulatory compliance, and leads multidisciplinary teams and sponsor collaborations. Her professional expertise encompasses participant safety oversight, operational governance, and the execution of high-quality, audit-ready clinical research. 

TJ Exford, PhD, is a research and compliance leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing regulatory oversight, research integrity, and human protections across National Institutes of Health– and Veterans Administration–funded programs in academic and federal healthcare settings. Her work spans overseeing complex programs, strengthening compliance frameworks, and fostering a culture of ethical, high-quality clinical research. 

Lillian Katumba is a senior program manager and portfolio management leader with more than 15 years of experience supporting complex initiatives in health and clinical research environments. She is committed to advancing high–quality, ethical research through effective project oversight and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. Lillian is passionate about strengthening research operations, mentoring professionals, and promoting standards that will enhance the integrity and impact of clinical research, setting the stage for innovative breakthroughs ahead. 

Markitta Miller began her journey as a Clinical Research Coordinator three years ago and has grown in ways she never expected. Clinical research has become deeply personal to her because it allows her to be part of something bigger than herself while helping improve the lives of others. What started as a career opportunity has truly become a passion, and she is grateful for how much this path has shaped her. 

Athenia Parker is a Clinical Research Nurse in the Phase I/Early Therapeutics Program at City of Hope with nearly a decade of experience in oncology care and clinical research. Her career has progressed from direct oncology nursing to clinical trial pre–screening and now research nursing, where she supports the safe and effective execution of early-phase trials with a focus on protocol adherence, patient safety, and investigational care. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to improving patient education, advancing patient safety, expanding access to clinical trials, and promoting equity in clinical research. 

Syeda Kiran Riaz

Martha Sully is a Research Nurse Specialist at the National Institutes of Health, supporting clinical research across multiple institutes. She has experience coordinating studies in autoimmune, pulmonary, and kidney diseases, ensuring protocol compliance, participant safety, and data integrity. She is dedicated to advancing high-quality clinical research through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. 

AkinYemi Oluwole

Susana Moyano Antepara, MD, CCRA, currently serves as the Regional Director of Clinical Operations at FOMAT Medical Research. With more than a decade of experience, she oversees multisite operations and has managed more than 100 clinical trials, including oncology and Phase I studies. Her leadership is rooted in her progression from being a clinical research coordinator and sub-investigator in Ecuador to founding the company’s quality department, providing the expert foundation for her current oversight of clinical operations across Southern California. 

Dr. Mudassar Arain is a faculty member at the University of North Carolina Wilmington in the Clinical Research program. His expertise includes pharmacovigilance, pharmacotherapeutics, regulatory compliance, and post-marketing safety studies. He is committed to equipping students with practical, industry-relevant skills to support safe and effective patient-centered research. 

Nikhita Datar, MS, CCRP, is the Senior Clinical Research Coordinator in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology and Drug Development from the University of Southern California and completed her Master of Science in Management of Drug Development from the USC School of Pharmacy, Department of Regulatory and Quality Science. Passionate about clinical trial management, Nikhita is dedicated to advancing pediatric research through effective study coordination, regulatory excellence, and collaboration with multidisciplinary clinical teams. Her work supports the development of evidence-based treatments that improve outcomes for children and families. 

Samantha Earnhardt grew up in Atlanta and moved north to attend the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. Her career in research started from responding to an ad in the student newspaper for a summer data collector after graduating with her BS in biology. Over the next 17 years, she earned a Master of Public Health and worked her way up the research ladder to serve as the Research Project Manager for the COVID-19 Vaccine trials at UNC’s Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases during the height of the pandemic. Post-pandemic, she took a step back to spend time with her young children and is now an Instructor and Fieldwork Coordinator in the Clinical Trials Research Associate program at Durham Technical Community College in the Research Triangle. 

Nhu Nguyen transitioned into clinical research after more than a decade as a basic scientist specializing in genetics and molecular biology, seeking to contribute more directly to patient care and make a meaningful impact on healthcare outcomes. Nhu currently serves as a Senior Clinical Research Specialist in the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, where they support patients and advance science through informed consent coordination, data entry, and data management for several pivotal brain cancer trials. 

Kristine Mae Sadicario is currently a Clinical Research Coordinator with Northwell Health. She began her path in clinical research in the lab, where it quickly evolved into a passion for bringing scientific discoveries directly to patients. She has grown from working on observational and National Institutes of Health studies to complex surgical device trials, navigating regulations with a focus on ethics and human connection. She strives for clinical research to be truly accessible and inclusive, reflecting and benefiting all communities. 

Russell G. Saltzman, MSPH, is a Senior Regulatory Analyst at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute. With more than 11 years of experience spanning clinical research operations, regulatory affairs, and cardiovascular research, Russell focuses on the strategic implementation of complex clinical trials and regenerative medicine. He is dedicated to navigating the evolving regulatory landscape to advance cutting-edge medical research. 

Leyla Teos is a Clinical Research Coordinator at UC Davis Health, specializing in medical monitoring and regulatory compliance for sickle cell disease trials within the Hematology and Oncology Division. She leads participant recruitment, data management, and cross-departmental sample logistics, ensuring adherence to Good Laboratory Practice/Good Clinical Practice and institutional review board standards. With a focus on operational innovation, she has implemented workflows, such as Uber Health transportation and standardized laboratory procedures, to enhance efficiency and patient safety across multiple institutions. 

Dianna Baldwin Vidales is a Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs specializing in phase-specific regulatory strategy and lifecycle maintenance for global clinical development programs. Her work focuses on advancing innovative therapies through complex regulatory pathways while ensuring compliance with international clinical research standards and protecting the safety and rights of clinical trial participants. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Professional Practice in Regulatory and Clinical Research Management.