Our People
Meet our team of experienced executive leaders, partner principal investigators, dedicated sub-investigators, and skilled site managers who drive the success of Paradigm Clinical Research.
Executive
Leadership
Kurt Mussina
Chief Executive Officer & Board Member
Kurt Mussina brings over 30 years of international business expertise, specializing in leading global teams across the CRO, CDMO, and Clinical Research Site sectors. In his role, he drives profitable growth by expanding sites, locations, and therapeutic areas while fostering key relationships with sponsors, CROs, principal investigators, and the clinical research community.
Previously, Kurt served as President of Frenova, the contract clinical research services company of Fresenius Medical Care (FMC), and held a concurrent role as Senior Vice President in FMC’s Global Medical Office. Under his leadership, Frenova broadened its focus to cover chronic kidney disease and related conditions, establishing a network of over 550 principal investigators across 350 U.S. research sites. Kurt also led Frenova’s global expansion, leveraging an international network of 1,300 clinicians spanning 45 countries.
Kurt holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Montclair State University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Travis Milnes
Chief Financial Officer
As the Chief Financial Officer of Paradigm, Travis Milnes, is responsible for corporate strategy, finance, tax, treasury, information technology, human resources, and contracts.
Travis brings experience in building teams and companies from his time with Advarra, Inc. where he led the finance department through 11 acquisition & integrations and 4 change of control transactions. Over the 8 years with Chesapeake IRB, then Advarra, he was instrumental in the integration and implementation of standardized processes & procedures for an internationally dispersed team, instilling business discipline and rigor to ensure the organization achieved its performance and growth objectives. Before his time with Advarra, Travis was an audit manager with SB & Company, LLC.
Travis earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Baltimore and is a certified public accountant.
Amy Henderson
Head of Clinical Operations
Amy Henderson, head of clinical operations at Paradigm Clinical Research, has more than a decade of experience in clinical research and medical industries. She is pivotal in building clinical research sites de novo and created a comprehensive playbook for site development to ensure operational excellence and consistency.
Demonstrating exceptional leadership, Amy has managed clinical operations, enhanced site performance, and ensured compliance with regulatory standards. Amy holds a bachelor of science in organizational leadership from Boise State University, an associate of science in biology from the College of Western Idaho, and a medical assistant certification from Carrington College.
Board of
Directors
Kurt Mussina
CEO & Board Member
Kurt Mussina brings over 30 years of international business expertise, specializing in leading global teams across the CRO, CDMO, and Clinical Research Site sectors. In his role, he drives profitable growth by expanding sites, locations, and therapeutic areas while fostering key relationships with sponsors, CROs, principal investigators, and the clinical research community.
Previously, Kurt served as President of Frenova, the contract clinical research services company of Fresenius Medical Care (FMC), and held a concurrent role as Senior Vice President in FMC’s Global Medical Office. Under his leadership, Frenova broadened its focus to cover chronic kidney disease and related conditions, establishing a network of over 550 principal investigators across 350 U.S. research sites. Kurt also led Frenova’s global expansion, leveraging an international network of 1,300 clinicians spanning 45 countries.
Kurt holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Montclair State University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Aleem Choudhry
Board Member
Aleem Choudhry co-founded Crane Street Capital in 2009 and serves as the managing partner. He has had over 18 years of private equity and transaction experience.
Prior to Crane Street, Mr. Choudhry was Principal and Co-Founder of the North American office of Englefield Capital, a London based middle market private equity firm. Prior to Englefield, he was a Vice President at FFL, a San Francisco based middle market private equity firm. Before private equity, Mr. Choudhry worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs and Wasserstein Perella, where he began his career.
Mr. Choudhry graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in physics with distinction and a minor in economics. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa as an undergraduate. He received an MBA with distinction from the Harvard Business School.
Nadine Fahoum-Nacar
Board Member
Nadine Fahoum-Nacar joined Crane Street Capital in 2017. Prior to Crane Street, Ms. Fahoum-Nacar was an Operations and Marketing Associate at 55 Capital Partners, a San Francisco based asset management firm. Before that, Ms. Fahoum-Nacar worked as a Trade Execution and Operations Associate at Ada Investments, a New York City based hedge fund.
Ms. Fahoum-Nacar graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in political science and markets & management, where she also played number 1 singles on the women’s varsity tennis team. She received her masters in international education with focus on international political economy from New York University.
Bill Doyle
Board Member
Bill Doyle serves as Director of Paradigm Clinical Research, Executive Director of Foundation for Hearing Research, Inc., which teaches listening and spoken language to young children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and Senior Advisor to the Perreault Birmingham Group, which provide investment banking and advisory services to private growth companies.
Mr. Doyle’s prior experience includes investing in and managing small and mid-sized growth and turnaround companies, raising equity and debt capital, and providing business and transaction advisory services. He has served as Managing Member of Hawkins Doyle LLC, President of Business Recovery Services, Inc., Managing Member of Doyle & Boissiere LLC, Head of Turnaround Investments at Govett, Ltd., Vice President at Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc., Manufacturing Manager at Allied-Signal, Inc., and Associate at Goldman Sachs, Inc.
Mr. Doyle holds a B.S.E. from Princeton University, magna cum laude, and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where graduated as an Arjay Miller Scholar.
Chip Hurlburt
Board Member
Chip Hulburt has extensive experience leading service businesses in education, healthcare, technology, and training, with a particular expertise in managing multi-site operations.
He currently serves as the chief executive officer at Orthodontic Partners. Previously, Chip held the position of CEO and president at National Heritage Academies, which has grown to become one of the largest for-profit operators of K-8 charter schools in the United States. Prior to that, he spent 16 years in various leadership roles at Kaplan, Inc., including divisional president for two different fast-growing businesses. During this period, Chip played a pivotal role in developing Kaplan’s healthcare education and training programs for doctors, nurses, and dentists.
Chip earned a bachelor of science and an MBA from Drexel University.
Jamshid Saleh, MD
Board Member
Dr. Jamshid Saleh is a distinguished neurosurgeon with two decades of expertise, earning widespread respect in his community. Graduating from the University of Birmingham Medical School, he further honed his skills with a two-year research fellowship at Stanford School of Medicine, specializing in neuroscience. Dr. Saleh boasts an extensive patient database, reflective of his dedication and proficiency in his field.
Principal Investigator
Partners
Muhammad Azam, MD
Principal Investigator - San Diego, CA
Dr. Muhammad Azam is a Family Medicine Physician based in El Cajon, California. He earned his medical degree from Saint Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London in 1983 and completed his residency at Maelor General Hospital in Wrexham, Wales. Since 1993, Dr. Azam has been actively practicing in San Diego, where he serves as a clinical instructor for family health and preventative medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
As a dedicated professional, Dr. Azam is a member of both the American Academy of Family Practice and the California Academy of Family Practice.
Shaun Berger, MD
Principal Investigator - San Diego, CA
Dr. Shaun Berger is a specialist in Neonatal Resuscitation and plays a key role in training volunteers for AAP Helping Babies Survive programs. Dr. Berger has a background as an investigator in pediatric clinical trials, as well as extensive experience as a primary care pediatrician, pediatric hospitalist, and pediatric urgent care physician.
Dr. Berger is very active in the pediatric community and volunteers with the National Steering Committee for Health Volunteer Overseas Pediatrics Programs, assisting them in their mission of improving global health through the education of local providers. In fact, Dr. Berger has taught or worked briefly in over 40 hospitals worldwide!
Gary Boone, MD
Principal Investigator - San Diego, CA
Dr. Gary Boone went to medical school at the University of Southern California, graduating cum laude in 1975. He did his residency in general surgery at University Hospital and the VA in San Diego. Thereafter, went into emergency medicine, becoming board certified in 1980. In 1981, he opened the Emergency Medical Clinic of San Diego.
Christopher V. Crosby, MD, PhD, FAAD, FACMS
Principal Investigator - San Diego, CA
Dr. Christopher Crosby is double board-certified in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery. After graduating from Duke University, Dr. Crosby earned both his M.D. and a Ph.D. in molecular cell biology and pathobiology from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He then completed his internship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center followed by his residency in dermatology at Emory University, where he served as chief resident. Following his residency, Dr. Crosby completed his fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery and procedural dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dedicated to lifelong learning and teaching, Dr. Crosby serves as an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCSD. With deep experience in both basic science and clinical medicine, Dr. Crosby has spent his career translating research into improved health and wellness for his patients.
Stanton Elzi, MD
Principal Investigator - Wheat Ridge, CO
Dr. Stanton Elzi has been practicing medicine at Wheat Ridge Internal Medicine since 1994. He graduated from medical school in 1990 from the University of Colorado and completed his training at St. Joseph Hospital of Denver in 1993.
Tara Erbele, MD
Principal Investigator - Boise, ID
Dr. Tara Erbele is a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in Boise, ID. Her passion for research led her to graduate from UC Davis with a degree in genetics, where she gained valuable experience working in a laboratory setting at UC Davis Medical School. Dr. Erbele then earned her medical degree at Albany Medical College and completed her residency in Boise, receiving comprehensive training in her specialty.
For several years, she provided full-scope family medicine, including outpatient clinical care, hospital care, pediatrics, and obstetrics. Later, she transitioned to academia, serving as an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Toledo College of Medicine, where she instructed both medical students and residents.
Keri Erland, MD
Principal Investigator - Boise, ID
Dr. Keri Erland is a board-certified internal medicine physician in Meridian, Idaho. She earned her Bachelor of Science in pre-medical studies from Boise State University, summa cum laude. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1992 (WAMI program) and was awarded the Outstanding Idaho Student in 1989. She then completed her internship and residency at Oregon Health Sciences University.
Dr. Erland practiced general internal medicine in Boise from 1995-2009 and then practiced in Corvallis Oregon from 2009-2012. She returned to Boise in late 2012 and opened Erland Internal Medicine, P.C. She provides comprehensive internal medicine services to the Treasure Valley and focuses on the preventive aspects of disease. She has been on the Board of Independent Doctors of Idaho since 2020 and currently serves as president-elect.
Katherine Johnson, DO, MSc
Principal Investigator - Wheat Ridge, CO
Dr. Katherine Johnson was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has lived and trained in Northern California, Chicago, and Boston. Her interests are infections in immunocompromised hosts, as well as travel medicine and wound care. Dr. Johnson moved to Colorado in 2014 to join Western Infectious Disease Consultants.
Rafael Lupercio, MD
Principal Investigator - Redding, CA
Dr. Rafael Lupercio is board certified in pulmonary disease with particular expertise in the management of asthma and chronic lung ailments. Dr. Lupercio began his career at Shasta Critical Care Specialists in 2003 after 3 years as an assistant professor at UC Davis and a 3-year fellowship in pulmonology and critical care medicine. He has lectured abroad on the subject and participates in local trials for new therapeutic agents.
Nathaniel Moore, MD
Principal Investigator - Wheat Ridge, CO
Dr. Nathaniel Moore is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Moore attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA for his undergraduate work and then attended Duke University School of Medicine and obtained his M.D. in 1995. Dr. Moore then came to Colorado and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Colorado’s Family Medicine Program at Rose Medical Center. He provides comprehensive family medicine services and has a special interest in addiction medicine, treating patients with opioid use disorder as well as alcohol addiction.
Kim Neyman, MD, FAAD
Principal Investigator - Wheat Ridge, CO
Dr. Kim Neyman is triple board-certified in dermatopathology, dermatology, and micrographic dermatologic surgery with advanced training in microscopic diagnostic techniques.
She graduated summa cum laude in 2003 from Emory University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience and behavioral biology. Dr. Neyman earned her doctoral degree from the Medical College of Georgia and was honored with induction into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. Following her internship at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, she returned to her alma mater, Emory University, to complete her dermatology residency. After residency, Dr. Neyman furthered her expertise as a Fellow of dermatopathology and a clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of Chicago, gaining additional advanced training in skin disease.
Jose Rodriguez, MD
Principal Investigator - Modesto, CA
Dr. Jose Rodriguez is a board-certified family medicine physician. After earning his medical degree from UC Davis School of Medicine in 1993, Dr. Rodriguez completed his residency at Stanislaus Medical Center in Modesto, CA.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Rodriguez has held various leadership roles, including serving as the associate clinical professor of family medicine at UC Davis and as the chapter president of the California Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Rodriguez now serves as the medical director of a rural healthcare district in Northern California, where he remains committed to providing comprehensive care for diverse patient populations.
Nazanin Kalani Williams, MD, FAAD
Principal Investigator - Wheat Ridge, CO
Dr. Nazanin Kalani Williams is a board-certified dermatologist practicing adult and general pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and surgical dermatology in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Dr. Kalani graduated magna cum laude from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. She received her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colorado, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Kalani completed her internship at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She returned to the University of Colorado to complete her dermatology residency. She trained in multiple dermatology settings, including at the University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health Medical Center, Veteran Affairs Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of Colorado.
Roger Wyatt, MD
Principal Investigator - Boise, ID
Dr. Roger Wyatt is a family medicine physician based in Middleton, Idaho. He obtained his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and completed his residency at Phoenix Baptist Family Medicine in Arizona.
Since 2015, Dr. Wyatt has been practicing in Idaho, where he currently runs a private medical practice. Additionally, he serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Wyatt’s expertise spans a wide range of chronic diseases.
Sub-Investigators
Kristina Bormann, PA-C
Sub-Investigator - San Diego, CA
Kristina Bormann is a board-certified physician assistant. She completed the primary care associate program at Stanford University School of Medicine in 2018 and holds a master of medical sciences from Saint Francis University.
Before attending PA school, Kristina gained clinical research experience as a clinical research coordinator. In her role as a physician assistant, she has demonstrated extensive proficiency across diverse inpatient and outpatient clinical settings, including primary care, obstetrics, gynecology, and general surgery.
Lune Saechao, FNP
Sub-Investigator - Redding, CA
Lune Saechao holds a master’s degree in nursing and social work, along with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in human resources. She graduated from nurse practitioner school at Seattle University in 2013 and has been board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a family nurse practitioner since that time.
Lune’s specialties include urgent care, family medicine, and primary care, with additional experience in women’s health, mental health, behavioral health, and clinical research.
Stefanie Throlson, NP
Sub-Investigator - Wheat Ridge, CO
Stefanie Throlson graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, in 1996 with a bachelor of science in nursing. She furthered her education by obtaining a master of science in nursing degree from the University of CO Health Sciences Center in Denver, CO, in 2009. Since 2009, she has been board certified as an adult nurse practitioner. Stefanie has garnered extensive experience working as a nurse practitioner in various inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. Her areas of expertise include primary care, orthopedics, neurology, psychiatry, interventional pain management, geriatrics, and clinical research.
Site
Leadership
Erica Bono, PharmD
Unblinded Research Manager – San Diego, CA
Erica Bono started working in a pharmacy at the age of 16, which led her on the path to a career in healthcare. Erica earned her bachelor of arts in biology from the University of San Diego, followed by her doctor of pharmacy degree from Creighton University. For more than 10 years, she successfully managed retail pharmacies before transitioning to the field of research.
Erica oversees unblinded research operations and recruitment efforts. Her responsibilities encompass managing investigational products, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and fostering collaboration among the unblinded team members across our sites.
Beth Capozzi
Site Manager - Littleton, CO
Beth Capozzi is dedicated to advancing medical research, with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator, specializing in various neurologic conditions. Currently, boasting 12 years of expertise in coordinating research efforts, she is at the forefront of investigating and addressing complex challenges associated with conditions such as Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple systems atrophy, and cervical dystonia.
Adept at navigating the intricacies of clinical trials, Beth seamlessly handles all aspects, from patient visits and informed consent to patient recruitment, IRB submissions, and regulatory documentation.
Laurie Cartwright
Site Manager - Boise, ID
Laurie Cartwright, brings over 20 years of clinical research coordinator and medical assistant experience. She has recently held positions as a certified lead clinical research coordinator at organizations such as Velocity Clinical Research, Saint Luke’s Health System, and Advanced Clinical Research. Known for ensuring compliance, maintaining high standards of quality, and optimizing efficiency, Laurie consistently streamlines the research process to achieve successful outcomes.
Laurie’s clinical research expertise spans a diverse range of areas, including cardiology, chronic pain, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, genetics, lipidology, ophthalmology, pediatric endocrinology, psychiatry, pulmonology, women’s health, and more. She holds certifications as a clinical research coordinator, IATA certified, GCP certified, and BLS/CPR certified.
Kristi Norton
Site Manager - Wheat Ridge, CO
Kristi Norton is dedicated to the advancement of clinical research, supporting the research community, and fostering increased accessibility to clinical trials for all. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is currently pursuing a master’s in management and organization at the University of Colorado Denver School of Business.
With over 15 years of experience in research services and programs at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Kristi has honed her skills in managing and coordinating research projects and grants. She is proficient in ensuring compliance, maintaining high standards of quality, and optimizing efficiency to streamline the research process, ultimately resulting in successful outcomes.
Sarah Sandberg
Regional Director, Central Valley
Sarah Sandberg is an experienced, efficient, and respected certified clinical research coordinator (CCRC) who has managed our Redding Site since 2019. Sarah joined Paradigm Clinical Research as a CRC in July of 2016. She in well-versed in the holistic management of clinical trials, adherence to ICH GCP guidelines, effective communication with institutional review boards (IRB) and independent ethics committees (IEC), meticulous data entry, and a commitment to ensuring both patient safety and the seamless operation of site activities.
Jamie Williams
Site Manager - San Diego, CA
Jamie Williams is an accomplished professional with a master’s degree in health science in clinical research administration from the George Washington University School of Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She is a certified clinical research coordinator (CCRC) and demonstrates expertise in ICH GCP Guidelines, ensuring strict adherence to protocols.
Her leadership fosters collaboration, achieving high-performance levels in a cross-functional team. With meticulous attention to detail, Jamie ensures all study procedures maintain the highest standards, emphasizing data integrity and participant safety.