From our roots in Nephrology, we have expanded into many other specialty fields, including cardiometabolic, infectious diseases, geriatrics, and many other challenging & underserved areas of healthcare. We have dedicated ourselves to providing the highest quality clinical trials to our sponsors, investigators, and study volunteers.
We pride ourselves in our collective experience, industry knowledge, and dedication to moving patient health forward.
Our Leadership
Dr. Sali Aswad – President & Founder saswad@nicresearch.com
Sali Aswad, M.D., founder and President of NICR, is a French double-board certified physician, specializing in Internal Medicine, as well as Nephrology, with over 25 years of experience in treating patients with kidney diseases with transplantation needs. He served on the USC faculty as an Associate Professor in the Department of Urology & Medicine and has authored or co-authored over 100 articles published in well-respected, peer-reviewed journals.
Linda Aswad – CEO laswad@nicresearch.com
Ryan Dudley – Senior Manager Business Development rdudley@nicresearch.com
Ludmila Lubyanaya – Chief Financial Officer llyudmila@nicresearch.com
Jennifer Pham, M.D. – Patient Enrollment Senior Manager tpham@nicresearch.com
Jessy McCollum – Director of Clinical Operations
Vincent Ribaya, M.D. – Senior Manager of Medical Affairs vribaya@nicresearch.com
Andrew M Zhao – Data Operations Manager azhao@nicresearch.com
Kathy Hernandez – HR & Administrative Assistant Manager khernandez@nicresearch.comOur Team
Tariq Shah – Medical Director tshah@nicresearch.com
Dr. Tariq Shah, Medical Director at NICR, is a Los Angeles-based nephrologist trained at UCLA’s Nephrology and Transplant programs. With experience directing Kidney and Pancreas transplant programs at St. Vincent Medical Center and RCH, he serves as the transplant provider for Southern California IKC and participates in CMMI advisory panels. Dr. Shah specializes in acute and chronic kidney disease management including transplantation, maintains an active nephrology practice, and is known for his expertise in complex cases and commitment to personalized care. He is also Professor at the College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, California, with extensive publications in peer-reviewed medical journals.
Regulatory Affairs
Evan Fuller – Regulatory Specialist
Christine Nguyen – Regulatory Specialist
Quality Control and Assurance
Brandi Luna – Quality
Teresa Kullman – Quality
Patient Recruitment and Outreach
Adam Schwartz – Patient Recruitment Specialist
Bianca Alvarado – Patient Recruitment Specialist
Adriana Segura – Patient Recruitment Specialist
Orange County (Garden Grove and Irvine)
Trisa Palmares, M.D. – Regional Trial Manager
Huong Nguyen – Research Assistant
Britney Nguyen – Research Assistant
Hoa Bui – CRC Ana Ramirez – CRC
Dora Godinez – CRC
Sergio Herrera – Research Assistant
Ariel Baca – Research Assistant
Alison Tran – Research Assistant
Pomona and Los Angeles
Elizabeth Ribaya, M.D. – Regional Trial Manager
Lendy Torres – CRC
Maria Murillo – CRC
Deinna Flores – Recruitment Specialist
Jesus Lopez – Research Assistant
Jesus David Lopez-Merino – Research Assistant
Veronica Choi – Research Assistant
Sofia Angulo – Research Assistant
Liliana Gavino – Research Assistant
Quincy Nguyen – Data Management Assistant
Nathan Chavez – Data Management Assistant
Natalia Angulo – Data Entry Assistant
Victorville and Barstow
Elizabeth Ortiz – Site Manager
Angelica Dorantes – Research Assistant
Nancy Mendoza – CRC
Bakersfield
Andrea Estrada – CRC
Alondra Juarez – Research Assistant
Sandra Ocampo – Research Assistant
Torrance
Austin Hoang – CRC
Bao Nguyen – Research Assistant
San Antonio
Brandy Gonzales – Lead CRC
Our Team
