Meet Our Research Team
Practice Physicians
Neurology
Neurosurgeons
On-Site Staff
We are a close-knit team working collaboratively at all times. When you come to the clinic, you’ll get to know all of us!
Research Leader: Joan Laguna, CCRC
Since 1973, Joan has coordinated more than 175 clinical research trials in neurology and neurosurgery involving Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, post herpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, headaches and migraine, stroke, spinal and brain surgery, imaging, and Multiple Sclerosis. She earned certification by the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals in 2004. Her career has included positions at New York University- Bellevue Medical Center, University of Arizona, University of Southern California, and Neurological Associates of Tucson.
In her position as Research Leader, Joan evaluates potential new studies to determine the feasibility of our site's participation. Joan also serves as the primary study coordinator for our Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis studies. Because of her extensive experience in the research for these diseases, Joan has been certified by many different organizations to conduct many of the rating scales and procedures for these studies.
Study Coordinator: Brian Peterson, CCRC
Since 1990, Brian has coordinated or assisted with more than 160 clinical trials involving Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, post herpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, headaches and migraine epilepsy and seizure disorders, psychosis, depression, stroke, spinal and brain surgery, imaging, and Multiple Sclerosis. He worked at the University of Arizona and Neurological Associates of Tucson before coming to Northwest NeuroSpecialists. Brian earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona in 1996, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Molecular & Cellular Biology & Chemistry. He became a certified clinical research coordinator in 2003.
Brian is the primary coordinator for the studies for migraines, neuropathy and neuralgia, surgery, and epilepsy. He also serves as the back-up coordinator for all other studies.
Psychometrician: Abrie Schroeder, MA
In 2004, Abrie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Willamette University in Oregon. After relocating to the sunny southwest she earned her Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2007. At Neuropsychology Ltd. in Tucson she discovered her love of psychometric testing, becoming proficient (and training others) on over 30 different psychometric scales. She brought this expertise to Dr. Wendt's team in 2010, serving as psychometrician or research assistant on the research studies. She has been certified for many of the cognitive and functional evaluations required for Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis studies.
While Abrie is responsible for the neuropsychological testing portion of our research studies, another part of Abrie's time is spent developing and placing recruitment materials for our studies. She helps maintain our research database of past and potential study participants. Abrie conducts the National Memory Screening Day at our site each November and staffs our display areas at various events.
Regulatory Affairs, Budgets & Contracts: Tammy Nakonechny
Tammy recently joined our team and brings several years experience in clinical research – both in study coordination and in regulatory affairs management.
Research Assistant: Allison Dunn
Allison joined NNSCR in February 2011. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Classics - English from Colby College in Maine in 2007. She plans to attend medical school in fall of 2012.
Allison’s duties include phlebotomy, ECG's, laboratory sample preparation and shipping, patient scheduling, drug accountability, and data entry. She assists on all of our current research studies.
Consultants
Our on-site team is supported by highly skilled consultants such as:
William Sibley, MD
NNS is honored to have Dr. Sibley's participation as an evaluating neurologist on many of our Multiple Sclerosis studies. He is one of the leading experts on Multiple Sclerosis in the world with more than 100 publications to his credit. In April 2006, Dr. Sibley was awarded the John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research. This was awarded jointly by the American Academy of Neurology and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He currently is a co-investigator of the MS Viral Study funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Dr. Sibley earned his Doctorate in Medicine from Yale University in 1948.
Katherine T. Vance, PhD
Dr. Vance has served as a consulting Neuropsychologist at NNSCR since 2004. She has served as the Neuropsychologist rater on studies of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment in Multiple Sclerosis. She has been a private practitioner since 1993. She earned her Doctorate in Rehabilitation with minors in Psychology and Anatomy in 1990.
Jill T. Caffrey, PhD
Dr. Caffrey recently joined our team to serve as a Neuropsychologist rater on Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment studies. Dr. Caffrey has been a private practitioner since 1994 and earned her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 1992. During her undergraduate and masters studies, she assisted in research on communication in senility and dementia.