OKANAGAN CLINICAL TRIALS - Key Persons


Adeel Wasti

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator II
Adeel graduated from UBC Okanagan with a degree in Biochemistry and a minor in psychology. His academic experience is utilized when he conducts memory assessments, collects lab samples, vital signs, and ECGs.

Adrienne Lam

Job Titles:
  • IMG
Adrienne is an International Medical Graduate who also holds a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree with a minor in Biology from University of Northern British Columbia. Her passion for research, academic background and previous clinical roles enables her to take a comprehensive approach working at Richmond Clinical Trials.

Alecia Songer

Job Titles:
  • Research Assistant
  • Research Assistant at OCT
Alecia is a dedicated Research Assistant at OCT who assists with data entry and administrative tasks. With an in-depth knowledge of each protocol, she is an asset to the team to help smoothly conduct each study.

Amy Fowler

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator / Unblinded Pharmacy Staff
Amy is a recent graduate of UBC Okanagan where she completed her degree in Biology and minor in Psychology. Amy's academic experience alongside her previous work experience allows her to assist with the preparation of study drug, EEG recording, patient recruitment and data entry.

Cait Dixon

Cait is a certified Medical Laboratory Assistant. Her experience assisting BC Cancer - Kelowna with clinical trials made her keenly interested in clinical trial research. As an experienced phlebotomist, she collects and processes lab specimens, vitals, and ECGs.

Colleen Maytham

Job Titles:
  • Principal Investigator
Dr. Maytham is a Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator at OCT. She has extensive knowledge in medicine and clinical research and brings with her, a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the medical field from her position as a family physician in the community.

Cora Withers

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator / Regulatory Specialist / Unblinded Pharmacy Staff
Cora graduated from UBC Okanagan with a degree in Medical and Molecular Biochemistry. Her previous positions as a research coordinator and pharmacy assistant allows her to coordinate clinical trials, complete regulatory tasks, conduct memory assessments and recruit participants. She also assists with preparing study drug for clinical trials as part of the unblinded pharmacy staff.

Emily Eisner

Emily developed a passion for research from completing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at UBC Okanagan. Her interpersonal and research skills are utilized in all aspects of clinical trials such as helping conduct clinical trials, interacting with participants, and more.

Ethan Klukas

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
Ethan graduated from UBC Okanagan and holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology. His previous experience working with adults with neurodevelopmental disorders and his involvement with academic and clinical research allows him to facilitate the conduction of clinical trials here at OCT.

Eugene Okorie

Job Titles:
  • Principal Investigator
Dr. Okorie is a Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator at OCT. As a practiced psychiatrist, he understands the inherent limitations of available options to help people struggling with mental health issues, hence his passion in trials of investigational products that would help his patients.

Jessie Pfitzenmaier

Job Titles:
  • Recruitment Specialist
Jessie graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the faculty of Creative and Critical Studies. She enjoys working with people and is passionate about improving the quality of life for Kelowna residents through her contributions to medical research.

Jordanna Laing

Job Titles:
  • Lead Clinical Research Coordinator
Jordanna became interested in research during her time at UBC Okanagan where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She is currently obtaining her Graduate Certification in Clinical Research online through Humber College. She assists the research team

Kim Christie - President

Job Titles:
  • President
Dr. Christie has extensive knowledge of neurological diseases, specializing in Alzheimer's disease. With this experience she spearheads a memory clinic that is offered free to the public. She is the initial contact for all new research studies conducted at our site.

Krystle Kay-Pfau

Dr. Kay-Pfau is a Sub-Investigator at OCT. She has extensive knowledge in medicine and clinical research and brings with her, a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the medical field from her position as a family physician in the community here in Kelowna, BC. She recently moved to the area in August 2020. She comes from Edmonton, AB where she was a family physician but had a large role in teaching medical students & residents who are the future of medicine.

Linda Yearwood

Linda Yearwood is a Sub-Investigator at OCT. She brings with her a solid base of knowledge in medical and nursing care as a Nurse Practitioner from both acute hospital care as well as in community-based care settings.

Magdelena Frison

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
Magdelena graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Microbiology and Immunology. Her background as a Clinical Research Assistant at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, coupled with her many years as a pharmacy assistant allows her help coordinate clinical trials, interact with participants, perform memory assessments, and more.

Mel Rostamabadi

Job Titles:
  • Regulatory & HR Officer
Mel's dedication has provided the clinic with quality assurance and consistency. She's developed skills, knowledge, and experience in Health Canada inspections and her role in Human Resources continues to expand as she works towards completing her HR Certification at Simon Fraser University.

Michelle Majury

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator II / Start Up Specialist
Michelle graduated from University of Guelph with a degree in Nutrition and Nutraceutical Science. Her experience in Regulatory Affairs helps with preparing study start-up documents and associated regulatory documents for on-going clinical trials.

Naved Wasti

Job Titles:
  • Research Assistant / Unblinded Pharmacy Staff
Naved will soon graduate from UBC Okanagan with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a Minor in Psychology. His education and prior experience as a psychometric rater aid him in performing cognitive assessments and data collection. He also assists with preparing study drug for clinical trials as part of the unblinded pharmacy staff.

Patricia Roberts

Patricia is a certified clinical research professional who has worked locally in clinical research for over 13 years. She has worked in a wide scope of medical indications and specializes in neurological research trials including Alzheimer's disease here at OCT.

Robert Goldberg

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
Robert graduated from UBC Okanagan with his Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry in 2021 and has been working with OCT for over 3 years. Robert is deeply passionate about making a difference in the field of Alzheimer's Disease and has actively contributed to multiple trials aimed at advancing our understanding and treatment options for this challenging condition.

Sarena Krell

Job Titles:
  • Regulatory Specialist
  • the Regulatory Assistant
Sarena is the Regulatory Assistant at Okanagan Clinical Trials. Her background as a Medical Office Assistant from University of Fraser Valley has guided her to assist with preparing study start-up documents.