Clinical research
10 clinical operations experts
These ten professionals have held head of clinical operations roles at biotech and pharmaceutical companies. A reader can learn how drug developers plan, staff and run their clinical trials.
Professionals to explore
01—10Erik Sokolowski
LinkedInExperience: Head of Clinical Operations and Development · Zevra Therapeutics
Head of Clinical Operations and Development at Zevra Therapeutics since September 2025. Former Senior Director, Global Trial Optimization Vendor Management (2022–2025), Director, Global Trial Optimization (2019–2022) and Associate Director, Clinical Operations (2018–2019) at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. The profile cites 20+ years of experience advancing clinical development, medical affairs, patient advocacy and trial management.
Keri Vaughan
LinkedInExperience: Head, Global Clinical Operations North America · Viatris
Head, Global Clinical Operations North America at Viatris since January 2023, alongside the role of Senior Director Global Clinical Operations at Viatris since May 2018. Other listed roles include Director Clinical Operations, General Medicine at Mylan (2016–2018) and Executive Director, Clinical Operations at Akesis, LLC (2014–2015).
Kristi Balacy
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Clinical Development Operations Head of Clinical Operations · Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Senior Director, Clinical Development Operations Head of Clinical Operations at Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc. since January 2025. Former Director, Head of Clinical Operations (2024–2025) and Associate Director Clinical Operations (2022–2024) at the same company. The profile notes interim oversight of Data Management, Biostatistics and Clinical Science functions. Also former Director Clinical Operations at QED Therapeutics (2021–2022).
Mairead Carney
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Head of Clinical Operations · FibroGen, Inc.
Executive Director, Head of Clinical Operations at FibroGen, Inc. since December 2024. Former Senior Director, Clinical Operations (2022–2025) and Director, Clinical Development Operations (2020–2022) at FibroGen, Inc. The profile describes overseeing early phase clinical development programs in oncology. Also Associate Director, Clinical Development at FibroGen, Inc. (2015–2020).
Malinda V. Longphre
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Head of Clinical Operations · Attovia Therapeutics, Inc.
Executive Director, Head of Clinical Operations at Attovia Therapeutics, Inc. since May 2024. The profile describes designing, launching and governing global Phase 1-3 trials for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and directing 10 staff. Other listed roles include Vice President, Clinical Operations Executive Director, Clinical Operations at Connect Biopharma (2020–2023).
Mrunal Monica Phadnis
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations · Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc.
Former Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations at Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc. (2022–2023) and Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Operations and Early Clinical Development there (2023–2026). Other listed roles include Vice President Global Clinical Operations & Development at Metabomed Ltd. (2020–2022). The profile describes 18+ years of building and scaling oncology programs.
Rona Harmelin-Kadouri
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Operations · BioNTech SE
Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Operations at BioNTech SE since February 2023. Other listed roles include Executive Director, Global Clinical Trial Strategy & Operations at Bristol Myers Squibb (2020–2022), Head of Cell Therapy, Senior Director, Clinical Operations at Bristol Myers Squibb (2019–2020) and Sr. Director Inflammation and Immunology- Clinical Operations at Celgene (2017–2019).
Sarah O'Mahony
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Head of Clinical Operations & Data Management · Orchard Therapeutics - U.S.
Former Executive Director, Head of Clinical Operations & Data Management at Orchard Therapeutics - U.S. (2021–2022), Sn Director, Head of Clinical Operations & Data Management there (2021) and Director Clinical Operations there (2018–2020). Head of International Clinical Operations at JCR Pharmaceuticals since May 2023.
Sophie Visonneau
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations · Xencor
Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations at Xencor since October 2025, and Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations at Xencor from 2023 to 2025. Other listed roles include Vice President Clinical Operations at Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (2021–2022) and at Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2020–2021). The profile cites over 25 years in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry.
Susie Hammond
LinkedInExperience: Head of Global Clinical Operations · Generate:Biomedicines
Head of Global Clinical Operations at Generate:Biomedicines since May 2026. Former Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Operations and Data Management Head at Ultragenyx (2023–2026) and Senior Director Clinical Operations at GSK (2016–2022). The profile describes leading teams across all phases of research in respiratory, inflammation, dermatology, infectious diseases and rare disease.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's company stage to yours, since running clinical operations for a first trial at a small biotech is different from leading a global function at a large drug company. Also ask which trial phases and therapeutic areas the person has run, because study startup, site management and vendor needs change with both.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide which clinical operations work to keep in-house and which to hand to a CRO?
- 02What do you look for when selecting and overseeing a CRO for a pivotal trial?
- 03Where do trial timelines usually slip during study startup, and what have you done to prevent it?
Reaching clinical operations experts
How can I contact one of these clinical operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Zevra Therapeutics; Viatris and Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc., based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach clinical operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
Request a correction or removal