Archives: Speakers

Christopher Russell Ph.D. is the Director of Russell Burnett Research and Consultancy Limited (RBRC), a contract research organization that specializes in the design and conduct of perception, intention, and behavioral studies of tobacco and nicotine products. Studies are designed to obtain information about individuals’ use and perceptions of tobacco and nicotine products; understanding of product labels, labelling, and advertising; and intentions to stop, start, and continue using tobacco and nicotine products. The results of these studies help to inform regulatory assessments of the potential impact of new tobacco products on tobacco use behavior and population health.

Following his studies at Ecole Polytechnique and UC Berkeley, Alexis has identified unmet clinical needs within rehabilitation. Alexis has built a team of engineers, physicians, designers with broad expertise, ranging from physics to signal processing and biomechanics. He has set up a strong tech culture, including a focus on testing.

Brandy is an accomplished clinical research professional with 7 years of experience in medical device trials and 15 years in the cardiovascular clinical setting. She started her clinical research career at Cardiopulmonary Science and Research Institute (CRSTI), specializing in Class III cardiovascular medical device studies. Brandy began as a Clinical Trial Assistant, quickly moving to Lead Clinical Research Coordinator with CRSTI. In 2016, Brandy began working as a Clinical Research Associate II at a Sponsor company, where she oversaw the daily operations of a Class III Pivotal prosthetic heart valve study. In this role, her duties included ensuring regulatory and protocol compliance, conducting on-site and centralized monitoring visits, as well as managing CRAs with a contracted CRO for report monitoring, protocol training, and as an escalation resource. Brandy came to Covance (then Chiltern) in 2017 as a Clinical Research Associate II. During her time at Covance, Brandy has progressed from CRA II, Senior CRA, a hybrid role of Sr. CRA / Associate Line Manger and now serves as Manager, Clinical Operations. Brandy has also managed clinical affairs for a biotech start-up company where she was responsible for developing study protocol, management plans, and subject recruitment plans for a Class II artificial intelligence diagnostic device.

Trial and Therapeutic Experience

Brandy has been participating in and monitoring clinical trials with FDA Class II and Class III medical devices over the past 7 years. She has experience with implantable cardiovascular devices for transthoracic aortic valve replacement, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, in-stent restenosis, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. These trials have encompassed feasibility, pivotal and registry studies. Her experience also includes Neurology studies focusing on embolic protection devices. Her expertise also includes managing clinical trials for compliance with ICH GCP Guidelines and FDA regulations, and building strong, productive relationships with sponsors, investigators and coordinators.

Ben is a Managing Director and Head of Distribution for Wealth Management & Investments and is responsible for driving the commercial success of the Wealth Management and Digital Investing businesses.

Ben joined Barclays from Fidelity in September 2019 where Ben led the implementation of their intermediated global digital wealth strategy. Previously, Ben was Fidelity’s country head in Singapore and from there led the business across South East Asia, Middle East and Africa.  Before leaving for Asia, Ben was Head of Sales in the UK, responsible for distribution of Fidelity’s investment products across all channels.  Ben joined from Fidelity in 2010 from Legal and General Investments.  At Legal & General Ben worked in a variety of investment and distribution roles before being appointed Head of Sales.

Ben lives in Berkshire with his wife and two young children. He is a keen sportsman and loves to ski and Kitesurf whenever he gets the chance.

Kirsten is a Clinical Data Management (CDM) Director at Cmed Clinical Research Services. With over 20 years in Data Management, Kirsten has a wide breadth and depth of experience within both Pharma and CRO across an array of therapeutic areas. She has led the development of innovative processes and supported CDM teams in the subsequent training materials and adoption. As a key area of interest Kirsten has supported the validation and implementation of new systems as well as the generation and adoption of technical solutions to support the acquisition and management of data in clinical research.

Prior running his consultancy company, Stephane worked for various Pharmaceutical companies. Over 25 years drug development experience, mainly as Head of Data Management and System Portfolio Management. In 2013, he became the Global head of Innovation Hub  to help transform Clinical Development and Medical Affairs for Roche-Genentech. Since 2017, as consultant, he is continuously seeking for better and innovative ways to transform science, conduct clinical trials, ensure better interfaces, data management & services to customers.