Our expert staff have extensive and varied experience in clinical research
Our Clinical Trial Coordinators have experience across a variety of therapeutic areas ranging from Phase I-IV trials. They are familiar with a large number of EDC systems, and have completed IATA Dangerous Goods, IV cannulation and Advanced Life Support training. We also employ pharmacists and other health care professionals to assist with our trials where required.
Director
Professor Evelin Tiralongo
Professor Evelin Tiralongo is the founding Director of Griffith University’s Clinical Trial Unit and is committed to strengthening academic–clinician collaborations, industry partnerships, and community engagement.
A German‑trained pharmacist with dual registrations, Evelin holds multiple postgraduate degrees and has over 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical and clinical science. Her multidisciplinary, bench-to-bedside research has generated significant research income, a patent, >60 peer‑reviewed publications, and several book chapters.
Evelin is a member of AusBiotech’s Clinical Trials Advisory Group and the Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee.
Leadership team
Operations Manager
Elisabeth Kolarich, MSc
Elisabeth completed her degree in Food Science and Biotechnology and has more than 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and clinical trials industry. Initially working in quality-focused roles, Elisabeth ensured compliance to country specific requirements, auditing and implementing quality systems in various industry leadership roles in Austria, Germany and Australia. Since 2022, Elisabeth is in the role of the Operations Manager and has a comprehensive understanding of the entire study life cycle starting from feasibility to trial completion to the highest quality standards.
Business Manager
Dr Claire Williams, PhD
Claire completed a MSc in Neuroscience, a PhD in Neuropharmacology and has more than 10 years of clinical and pre-clinical research experience. Claire has worked extensively in clinical trial coordination and management of Phase I-IV trials in various therapeutic areas in the UK and Australia, developing strong industry partnerships and business acumen. Claire has a passion for translational research and is driven to find meaningful, applicable results that directly benefit human health.
Business Manager
Emilia Zakar, BCom
Emilia offers more than 20 years of experience in clinical research, including 12 years of leadership and management roles in Clinical, Quality and outsourcing services across the Asia Pacific. She has managed multi-compound client portfolios as a Quality Lead and Outsourcing Manager in Asia Pacific and has worked across all major therapeutic areas in Phase I-IV clinical trials. Emilia is passionate about delivering clinical trials with the highest standards to ultimately offer new treatments to patients.
Clinical Research Nurse Manager
Tracey Brumby, MHSM BN RN
Tracey holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Health Services Management, with over 25 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, specialising in Cardiology. She also brings more than 10 years of experience working across Phase I–III clinical trials. Tracey is passionate about patient advocacy and is committed to advancing the positive impact of research on patient outcomes and healthcare innovation.
Clinical Operations
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Taryn Houghton, BN RN
Taryn has a Bachelor of Nursing with over 13 years’ experience as an Emergency Nurse. Her skills in critical thinking have helped her manage her responsibilities in team leader positions. Taryn’s research coordination experience includes a diverse range of studies for both chronic diseases and healthy volunteers.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Haewon Park, BN RN
Haewon completed a Bachelor of Nursing and Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing in New Zealand. She has more than 11 years of experience in Phase I-III (cancer and blood) clinical trials, Oncology and Orthopaedic nursing. Haewon is passionate about research studies and patient care.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Jessica Todd, BN RN
Jessica has been practicing as a Registered Nurse for more than 10 years, with a primary background in Acute Medicine. She has over 3 years’ experience in Phase II-III trials based in Glasgow, specialising in Alzheimer’s Disease. Jessica values the time she spends with her patients and is passionate about contributing to research.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Natalie Locklock, BN RN
Natalie is a Registered Nurse with more than 15 years experience in cardiology, bariatric case management, and clinical trials. She has coordinated Phase I–III oncology and haematology studies, ensuring regulatory compliance, patient safety, and data integrity. Her commitment to patient care and health education remains at the heart of everything Natalie does in her practice.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Hannah Smith, BN RN
Hannah holds a Bachelor of Nursing from New Zealand and is a qualified Registered Nurse with experience from both New Zealand and Australia. She has worked extensively in acute surgical and acute medical settings, developing strong clinical expertise. Hannah is passionate about research and is committed to contributing to clinical trials that advance patient care and improve health outcomes.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Anna Fahd, BN RN
Anna is a Registered Nurse and Study Coordinator with previous experience in Phase I-II clinical trials based in Sydney. She has extensive experience in trial-related procedures, data management and phlebotomy. She also has experience in caring for patients in acute surgical and medical wards.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Subaat Khan, MIPC, BBiomedSci (Hons)
Subaat holds a Master of Infection Prevention and Control and has completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Honours degree. She has more than 7 years experience coordinating pharma-sponsored and investigator-initiated trials. She has experience in financial and contractual tasks, as well as laboratory and clinical experience. Additionally, she has authored and co-authored several research papers.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Khushi Rathod, BSc
Khushi holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and brings hands-on experience across diverse areas including respiratory and sleep testing, phlebotomy, and a broad range of laboratory techniques. As a Clinical Trial Coordinator, Khushi supports high-quality research and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the smooth and efficient execution of clinical trials.
Clinical Trial Assistant
Ariarna Scarponi, BSc
Ariarna holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and has one year of hands‑on experience in clinical trials. With strong scientific knowledge and meticulous attention to detail, she maintains accurate trial documentation and supports laboratory workflows. Committed to high‑quality medical research, she assists study operations and is driven by a genuine passion for advancing clinical science.
Pharmacist
Danielle Lee, BPharm (Hons)
Danielle is a registered pharmacist with over 16 years’ experience across community practice, clinical management, and research. She brings strong skills in patient care, medication safety, dispensary management, and attention to detail developed through extensive community pharmacy practice. For the past five years, she has also worked as a Clinical Trial Pharmacist supporting Phase I-III studies through investigational product management, regulatory compliance, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Clinical Systems Manager
Ting Yu, PhD
As the Clinical Systems Manager at the CTU, Ting leads the implementation and optimisation of technologies that support clinical trial delivery. With experience across Phase I to Phase III studies, she specialises in study start up, participant recruitment, and project management. Ting is passionate about using AI, automation, and digital solutions to improve operational efficiency, data quality, compliance, and participant outcomes.
Quality Assurance Officer
Freya Souter, BASc
Freya completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and has more than 30 years’ experience in Quality Assurance obtained from working in laboratories and industries including pathology and research across pharmaceutics, cosmetics and food. Freya has more than 12 years’ experience in Sydney and Adelaide based Phase I trial sites covering multiple therapeutic areas.
Business Support Officer
Jessie Kane, BSc
Jessie completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and has worked in clinical trials for more than 3 years across New Zealand and Australia. Jessie has experience in coordinating Phase I-II clinical trials, conducting study start up activities and participant recruitment.
Operations Support Officer
Jules Newman, BExSc, BEd (Biology)
Jules also holds a Master of Environment (Education for Sustainability). She has previously worked supporting Health Technical Services and Office for Research (Ethics) roles. Jules enjoys working in research related roles and is especially passionate about the function of nutrition in health and medicines developed from natural sources.
Communications Officer
Mala Patel, BCom
Mala completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree and has been working in marketing and communications for more than 20 years. Originally from New Zealand, Mala has experience in research, education and patient-support roles in Sydney, London, and the Gold Coast. Mala enjoys working in an industry that facilitates innovations in healthcare.
Administration Support Officer
Alexandra Brock
Alexandra has experience in the health and disability support industry and brings strong administrative, organisational, communication, and marketing skills to her role. She is enthusiastic about applying her transferable experience to support clinical research and improved health outcomes.
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