Research Challenges in Early Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis, Trial Design & Rater Training

Dr. Babic, a therapeutic leader in neurology medical and scientific affairs, has designed protocols and programs for randomized controlled clinical trials in populations with early and advanced Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, migraine, and neurodegenerative disorders, implementing the up-to-date evidence- based science in clinical drug research and development. At Worldwide Clinical Trials, Dr. Babic is responsible for the scientific and medical leadership of global neurology clinical research initiatives. This includes aspects of hypothesis generation and testing, protocol/strategic program design and development, as well as assistance in the analysis and clinical interpretation or results for all phases of clinical drug development.

Dr. Ast has over 20 years’ experience in clinical research across a variety of CNS indications. Her experience includes Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Cervical Dystonia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Schizophrenia (adult and pediatric/adolescent), Bipolar Depression (adult and pediatric/adolescent) as well as a number of pain studies (adult and pediatric). Over the course of her career, Dr. Ast has held a number of positions, including Project Manager, Business Development Director, Director of Clinical Resourcing, Project Director, and currently, Vice President, CNS Project Delivery at Worldwide Clinical Trials where she is responsible for overseeing the project delivery of all neuroscience projects and supporting the Global Project Leaders and study teams to ensure timely delivery and quality of global projects.

Travis is an award-winning leader who focuses on utilizing data to drive decision-making leading to exceptional business results and sales growth. At Worldwide Travis and his team are responsible for optimizing project delivery by providing intelligent, data-driven, customer-centric solutions that connect investigators and patients across the feasibility and patient recruitment continuum. Prior to joining Worldwide in 2016, Travis served as Director of Feasibility and Site Identification at INC Research.

Rolana Avrumson has over 19 years’ clinical experience, nearly 10 years’ experience in clinical trial research and has held significant roles in global and domestic phase Ib/II/III trials in a number of CNS indications with pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations including neurocognitive disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease, MCI), movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s), psychiatry (e.g. addiction, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD), and various pain indications (e.g. neuropathic pain and arthritis trials). Rolana has worked for Worldwide Clinical Trials since May 2014 and as an Associate Director with the Clinical Assessment Technologies group, her primary responsibilities include oversight of the operational and clinical conduct of assigned studies, including rater and CRA training, subject eligibility reviews, data surveillance, sponsor reporting, and scale management.