Archives: Speakers

Pharma professional with 25 years of hands-on and oversight experience in strategic sourcing and contracting, vendor selection (RFP process), process development and standardization, with an emphasis on clinical trial outsourcing.

Amanda Fierro, Project Manager, Oncology, at Premier Research is leading cross-functional teams to support the planning and launch of clinical trials. She ensures the on-time delivery of key study milestones by working closely with internal teams, sponsors, and vendors. Amanda brings expertise in clinical project management and imaging. She previously served as a Clinical Project Manager at an imaging vendor, and she is committed to fostering strong collaboration across all stakeholders to drive successful study outcomes.

With over 25 years of progressive experience in clinical operations, project management, and medical affairs, Liza Micioni brings a deep understanding of the clinical development lifecycle. Her expertise spans early- to late-phase clinical trials across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas, including rare diseases, CNS disorders including pain management, and immunology. Liza consistently demonstrates the ability to translate complex scientific and regulatory requirements into actionable strategies that drive operational excellence and accelerate timelines.

Throughout her career, Liza has successfully led global cross-functional teams, managed multimillion-dollar clinical programs, and built high-performing clinical operations departments from the ground up. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to quality and compliance. Her ability to foster strong partnerships with investigators, CROs, vendors, and internal stakeholders has been instrumental in delivering multiple clinical trials on time and within budget.

Liza is passionate about advancing innovation in clinical research by embracing emerging technologies and championing patient-centric solutions that improve trial accessibility, efficiency, and overall impact. She is a strong advocate for continuous improvement and operational agility, consistently seeking new ways to elevate patient engagement and optimize outcomes. Her work is driven by a deep sense of purpose: to contribute meaningfully to the development of life-changing therapies that improve the lives of patients.

As the Corporate Global Head of Accessibility at Merck & Co., Inc., Dr. Stephen Framil has been an ardent advocate and practitioner of equitable access across the range of human experience: including the built environment, food sustainability, education, performing arts, and the digital landscape. With over 30 years of executive leadership in business strategy and innovation, policy and governance, procedure and operations, and portfolio management expertise, Steve continues to lead and champion accessibility in multinational corporations, non-profit education, and the performing arts. Steve resides in the Greater Philadelphia area with his wife Natalia, children Aren and Sasha, cats Mila and Jana, and dog Benji. Steve maintains an active music career as the founding Executive & Music Director of Camerata Philadelphia and the Port City Music Festival (Wilmington NC). To make this all happen as a CRC Survivor (2024 NED), Steve energizes through marathons and triathlons, and is a 3X Ironman (2022, 2024, 2025)—why be bad at one sport, when you can be bad at three!

Dr. Roopal Patel is a distinguished clinical supply chain leader and Senior Vice President of Biotech/CRO Portfolio Delivery & Supply Chain at Signant Health. She drives portfolio delivery excellence for biotech and CRO clients while overseeing supply chain operations and leading development of the Supplies software platform. Her leadership focuses on delivering innovative solutions that enhance client satisfaction and guide cross-functional teams toward critical milestones in both delivery and supply chain excellence.

With over two decades of expertise in clinical trial supply operations, Dr. Patel has transformed global supply chain organizations and developed comprehensive supply solutions across biotech and medical device sectors. Her deep industry knowledge spans the complete pharmaceutical ecosystem through senior roles in clinical development, CRO, and health clinic settings. As a recognized authority in trade compliance and clinical supplies management, she has established operational frameworks across multiple international markets and actively contributes to trade policy development.

Throughout her career, Dr. Patel has architected comprehensive approaches for global supply chain organizations encompassing trade compliance, clinical supplies, laboratory services, and sourcing operations.

She holds a Doctor of Healthcare Administration from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a Master of Jurisprudence in Health Law, and an MBA in Project Management. Dr. Patel serves as adjunct professor at Bunker Hill College teaching Operational Strategy, SCORE counselor for startups, and Board Chair of Community Health Partners – Uganda.