Achieving Endpoints and Phase 1 Trial Objectives through Superior Volunteer Management

Sammy Armado, Associate Director, Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement, WCCT Global

Sammy Armado has been with WCCT Global for seven years and currently oversees patient recruitment and volunteer retention and engagement initiatives. Sammy is responsible for developing unique recruitment and retention strategies to manage each study from start to finish. With his time at WCCT, Sammy has led the successful enrollment of many complex trials that include normal healthy volunteers, ethnic and special populations. Sammy has implemented processes that drive protocol-specific planning and tactics for targeted recruitment. Sammy has recently taken the lead on efforts to enhance the patient experience at WCCT, leading the charge in their “Volunteers First” approach and initiatives. Additionally, Sammy has led the efforts for WCCT’s volunteer retention program that has led to exceptional results.

Talia Nikolao Hight, MBA, Biopharma Professional

With 17 years of experience in the drug development industry, Talia Nikolao Hight has amassed a wide range of knowledge extending across clinical operations, business operations, and clinical site management. Talia began her journey in clinical development as a Clinical Research Coordinator at WCCT Global, and then moved into a variety of management roles as the company grew from 15 employees to 200+ employees. Talia also has previous experience on the Sponsor side, managing Phase III trials in an orphan ophthalmic condition through to New Drug Application (NDA) submission. Her areas of therapeutic expertise include ophthalmology, respiratory, infectious disease, immunology, cardiovascular, women’s health and central nervous system. Talia brings a balanced perspective from the clinical site, contract research organization, and sponsor viewpoints; as well as across the clinical drug development spectrum from early-phase to late-phase clinical trials.

David L. Wirta, MD, President and CEO, The Eye Research Foundation and The Aesthetic Eye Care Institute

Dr. David L. Wirta (MD) is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and an accomplished specialist in cosmetic eyelid surgery, eyelid and tear duct plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as medical diseases of the eye.  Dr. Wirta has been the President and CEO of his own Ophthalmology practice, The Aesthetic Eye Care Institute, for over twenty years.  Dr. Wirta holds his medical degree from UCLA, and he completed a surgical and medical internship at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.  He completed his Residency with the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA before finally completing a Fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with the Casey Eye Institute at the Oregon Health Science University.

Then, in 1998, Dr. Wirta began his work in clinical research when he founded The Eye Research Foundation.  The Foundation conducts clinical studies on glaucoma, blepharitis, eye allergies, dry eye, presbyopia, cosmetic neurotoxin and other eye conditions in order to further research for treatment and cures for these ailments.  It is in this capacity that Dr. Wirta and his team are an invaluable resource to WCCT Global.  Dr. Wirta not only serves as a Clinical Investigator in conjunction with WCCTG’s team, but he also provides essential insights into the conduct for Ophthalmology trials and assists with recruiting specialty patient populations.  Dr. Wirta’s expertise in running complicated and detailed early phase ophthalmology trials merges seamlessly with WCCTG’s extensive resources, facilities and operations as a phase-one unit and CRO.   Dr. Wirta has served as a Principal Investigator on over 200 clinical trials as well as published various peer-reviewed scientific articles about his work.  Dr. Wirta is a Fellow with both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.