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Our Leadership

For over two decades, Accel Research Sites has grown to become an industry-shaping clinical trial network. Across disciplines and departments, Accel’s leadership shares one mission – to advance scientific and medical innovation through comprehensive patient-centric clinical research.

  • Lora Parahovnik, PhD Chief Executive Officer

    Lora has over 14 years of experience in global clinical affairs, clinical research, process management, establishment of benchmarking systems and business operations, financial and operational growth.  Before joining Accel, she served as VP, Clinical Research at TillaCare, providing cross-functional oversight and development of clinical strategy, operational execution and market distinctiveness.  Lora received her PhD in Environmental Microbiology and Surface Chemistry from Technion- Israel Institute of Technology and is currently an MBA candidate at the Florida Institute of Technology.  She is also an Adjunct Faculty Professor at Valencia College. 

  • CFO - David Lamadrid David Lamadrid, MBA Chief Financial Officer

    David joined Accel with more than 20 years of finance and management experience in private and public companies. Before joining Accel, he served as the CFO of several companies in the health, wellness and medical device industries. David earned his MBA from New York University.

  • Alora Brock, MBA, FACHE VP, Business Operations

    Alora has over 16 years of healthcare management experience as a business transformation expert specializing in healthcare strategy and business operations, leveraging Lean and Six Sigma best practices to optimize performance. Before joining Accel, she served as the VP, Clinical Transformation at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, providing strategic and operational leadership for their Oncology Centers of Excellence. Alora earned her MBA from Saint Joseph’s University, is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and serves as a Part-time lecturer at Rutgers University.

  • VP - Melissa Hodges Melissa Hodges, CCRC, CCRP, CMA, CPT VP, Regional Operations, QC & Physician Relations

    Melissa has over 20 years of clinical research experience, regulatory affairs and quality control. Before joining Accel, she served as the Clinical Supervisor at West Volusia Medical Associates and oversaw administrative, professional, clinical, financial, and academic activities. Melissa is a member of various distinguished clinical research professional networks, including ACRP, SCRS, SOCRA and IBC. She holds an Associate’s degree in Nursing from Daytona State College.

  • Jennifer McCaffrey, RN, BS VP, Clinical Operations

    Jennifer has more than 10 years of experience in clinical trial management and driving the execution of site operational strategy. Before joining Accel, she served as the Clinical Research Site Director at Meridien Research, leading strategic planning, administration and operations of site activities focusing on clinical excellence, research and quality. Jennifer holds a BS in Nursing from the University of South Florida.

  • Sr. Director - Karen Kolin Karen Kolin Sr. Director of Business Development and Outreach

    Karen Kolin is a highly experienced Clinical Research Professional having served as a Clinical Research Coordinator, Site Director, and directing Business Development, Recruitment and Enrollment Outreach. Her resourcefulness stems from an involvement in a variety of industries relevant to the changing nature of healthcare. She was even an Emmy Award-winning producer of Medical News for CNN. Karen is responsible for supporting business development, outreach opportunities and strengthening existing relationships for Accel Research Sites. She believes relationships are the foundation for successful partnerships in conducting clinical trials. She utilizes her skills to best match appropriate studies and outreach activities to diverse sites, physicians, and communities.

  • Erica Rivas, BS, CCRC Marketing & Recruitment, Director Patient Engagement

    Erica has more than 8 years of clinical research, patient acquisition and outreach experience. Before joining Accel, Erica served as the Patient Recruitment Manager at Meridien Research, managing a 12-person team of clinical trials recruiters, in-house call center, advertising and marketing team and planning recruitment strategy. Erica earned her BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Central Florida.

  • Director of HR - Natalie Hazan-Cohen Natalie Hazan-Cohen, MA Director of Human Resources

    Natalie holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Development and Consulting. Natalie has more than 12 years of experience in Human Resources, in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple countries as a Director of HR. She has extensive experience in recruitment of top talent, organizational development, and training and development for building a strong organizational culture.

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