Investigators and Staff
Our staff are regularly updated on regulatory and GCP compliance and have been trained and hold current certificates from NIH and IATA. The staff also oversees the Waltham Diabetes Center an ADA recognized education center. – Visit our Investigators and Staff page.
| • Board Certified Investigators | • Registered Nurses |
| • Certified Coordinators | • Registered and Licenced Dietitians |
| • Certified Diabetes Educator | • Certified Exercise Specialists / Anthropometrists |
| • IV Therapy Skilled Nurses | • Certified Lab Technicians |
Edward J. Busick, MD
Investigator Endocrinology, General Medicine
Board certified in Endocrinology, Dr. Busick has led hundreds of critical diabetes trials since joining MassResearch in 1994. He received his M.D. from John Hopkins University, and completed his internship and residencies at John Hopkins Hospital. On staff at the former Deaconess Waltham Hospital for 17 years, Dr. Busick is affiliated with the Newton Wellesley Hospital and New England Baptist Hospital. He teaches at Harvard Medical School.
Gigi N. Girgis, MD
Investigator Neurology
Dr. Girgis is board certified in Internal Medicine, Psychiatry and Neurology. She has been affiliated with MassResearch since 1996 and has conducted neurological studies with high patient enrollment. Dr. Girgis received her M.D. from Cairo University Medical School and completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Neurology. She is also Instructor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School.
Wissam J. Khoory, MD
Investigator Internal Medicine
Board certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Khoory has been affiliated with MassResearch since 2001, acting as a sub-investigator for numerous trials. He received his MD from Boston University School of Medicine and has published papers on Molecular Biology.
Pamela Norden, MD, MBA
investigator dermatology
Board certified in dermatology, Dr. Norden provides medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology services. She has expertise in detailed patch testing for allergic dermatitis. She also has special interests in the treatment of psoriasis with biological agents and use of the Fraxel Dual® laser. Dr. Norden was an attending physician at Tufts Medical Center and the Boston VA Healthcare System.
Moise Shems, MD
Investigator Urology
Dr. Shems is board certified in Internal Medicine and Urology. He joined MassResearch in 2003 and is heading a ground breaking urology trial. Fluent in English, French, Arabic and Hebrew, Dr. Shems was on staff at the former Deaconess Waltham Hospital for 32 years, and is affiliated with four area hospitals.
Eric Putnoi, MD
Investigator opthamology
Dr. Putnoi is board certified in Opthamology and is a Fellow of the American Board of Opthmaology. He is on staff at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. As a comprehensive opthmaologist, Dr. Putnoi treats medical and surgical diseases of the eye. He specializes in cataract surgery and advanced technology intraocular lenses. He also uses the latest modalities to diagnose and treat glaucoma.
David B. Alper, D.P.M
investigator podiatry
Dr. Alper is affiliated with St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and Mount Auburn Hospital. He also teaches at Northeastern University. dalper@massresearch.com
Henry Merola, MD
investigator internal medicine
Dr. Merola is board certified in Internal Medicine. He joined MassResearch in 1996 acting as a sub-investigator for numerous trials. He earned his degree at Universita Di Pisa and completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Mt. Sinai Hospital. He is affiliated with Newton-Wellesley Hospital and speaks English, French and Italian. hmerola@massresearch.com
Rifat Dweik, MD
investigator cardiology
Dr. Rifat Dweik is a board certified cardiologist. He joined MassResearch in 1999 acting as a sub-investigator for numerous trials and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Massachusetts General Hospital and Mount Auburn Hospital and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He received his medical degree from Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine. rdweik@massresearch.com
Mawya Shocair, MD
investigator nephrology
Dr. Mawya Shocair is a board certified nephrologist. She joined MassResearch in 1996 acting as a sub-investigator for numerous trials. She graduated from the University of Damascus – Faculty of Medicine, Damascus, Syria in 1972. She is affiliated with Newton-Wellesley Hospital and speaks English, Arabic and Spanish.
Mohammed Reda, MD
investigator pulmonary
Dr. Mohammed Reda is a board certified pulmonologist. He joined MassResearch in 1996 acting as a sub-investigator for numerous trials. He graduated from the University of Damascus – Faculty of Medicine, Damascus, Syria in 1972 and is affiliated with Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He speaks English and Arabic. mreda@massresearch.com
Elizabeth J. Taylor MS, RD, LD, CDE, CCRC, CES
Investigator Nutrition and device clinical trials
Liz has been with MassResearch since its inception 13 years ago and has more than 17 years of experience in the medical field. A Certified Clinical Research Coordinator, Certified Diabetes Educator, and a Registered Dietician, Liz has conducted more than 200 successful trials and has also acted as a principal investigator for many studies, including a 2-year, nationwide nutrition study that involved thousands of patients. Liz has also been the lead investigator on numerous transdermal delivery protocols and she chairs the Diabetes Education and Programs Department. etaylor@massresearch.com
Wendy Price, LPN
Protocol Charge nurse
Wendy is IV and Wound Care Certified. She oversees and trains the IV staff. wprice@massresearch.com
Peg Bailey, RN IV Therapy
Certified IV Therapy Specialist and Instructor
Peg develops the safety and infusion protocols, and trains/supervises the IV staff for our pharmokinetic and transdermal clinical trials.
Meg Bailey, BS
Chemical Engineer
Applications Manager and Quality Control of Analyzer results and maintains PFT equipment.
Melissa Evans, AS
Patient Recruitment and retention Manager
Melissa maintains the patient database and determines protocol feasibility. She is also responsible for
recruiting and retaining the patients for each protocol.
Patrice Shea, BS
Certified Med Tech
Patrice is responsible for developing testing protocols. She also trains and supervises the laboratory
technicians for each protocol.
Lisa Pacitto, BA
Marketing Specialist
Formerly Manager of Patient Services, Lisa now handles digital and social media communications and marketing initiatives on a consulting basis.