About Us
Okanagan Clinical Trials is a research centre located in British Columbia that specializes in conducting research studies for the pharmaceutical industry. We have longstanding staff that have been with and grown with us, and we've got a great reputation locally with over 500 trials conducted over our history.
Our Staff
Kim Christie, PhD
President
Dr. Christie has extensive knowledge of neurological diseases, specializing in Alzheimer's disease. With this experience she spearheads a memory clinic that is offered free to the public. She is the initial contact for all new research studies conducted at our site.
Eugene Okorie, MD, FRCPC
Clinical Trial Investigator
Dr. Okorie is a Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator at OCT. As a practiced psychiatrist, he understands the inherent limitations of available options to help people struggling with mental health issues, hence his passion in trials of investigational products that would help his patients.
Colleen Maytham, MD, CCFP
Clinical Trial Investigator
Dr. Maytham is a Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator at OCT. She has extensive knowledge in medicine and clinical research and brings with her, a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the medical field from her position as a family physician in the community.
Johannes Vorster, MD, CCFP
Clinical Trial Investigator
Dr. Vorster is a Sub-investigator at OCT. He has extensive experience in Family- and Emergency Medicine. He is passionate about Biotechnology, and the hope it brings to patients and families impacted by debilitating neurological conditions.
Linda Yearwood, NP(A), RN, MScN
Clinical Trial Investigator
Linda Yearwood is a Sub-Investigator at OCT. She brings with her a solid base of knowledge in medical and nursing care as a Nurse Practitioner from both acute hospital care as well as in community-based care settings.
Dr. Krystle Kay-Pfau, MD, CCFP
Clinical Trial Investigator
Dr. Kay-Pfau is a Sub-Investigator at OCT. She has extensive knowledge in medicine and clinical research and brings with her, a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the medical field from her position as a family physician in the community here in Kelowna, BC. She recently moved to the area in August 2020. She comes from Edmonton, AB where she was a family physician but had a large role in teaching medical students & residents who are the future of medicine.
Carol Fazekas, B.A, CCRP
Regulatory Liason
Carol is a certified clinical research professional with many years of experience. She is our site’s principal regulatory liaison with sponsors and IRBs in completing study start-up documents and ongoing reporting of regulatory issues for all clinical trials conducted at our site.
Patricia Roberts, CCRP
Clinical Research Coordinator
Patricia is a certified clinical research professional who has worked locally in clinical research for over 13 years. She has worked in a wide scope of medical indications and specializes in neurological research trials including Alzheimer’s disease here at OCT.
Emily Eisner, B.Sc
Clinical Research Coordinator
Emily developed a passion for research from completing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at UBC Okanagan. Her interpersonal and research skills are utilized in all aspects of clinical trials such as helping conduct clinical trials, interacting with participants, and more.
Michelle Bobyn, RN BSN
Clinical Research Coordinator
Prior to joining Okanagan Clinical Trials, Michelle worked in clinical research specializing in Hepatology in Vancouver. She utilizes her nursing skills to interact with participants, liaise with medical professionals, and conduct a wide variety of studies. She is a recipient of the Gold Medal of Nursing from UBC Okanagan and has completed additional training in Gerontology, showcasing her dedication and passion for essential care.
Lyndall Cay
Operations Manager
Lyndall has a thorough working knowledge of finance, vendor relations, HR, and administration. She is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of a day-to-day business operations.
Wendy Zabel
Research Assistant
Wendy is an experienced Medical Laboratory Technologist. As an experienced phlebotomist, she collects and processes lab specimens, vital signs and ECGs. She also assists where needed in the conduct of complex research protocols.
Rebecca Roberts, PCP
Research Assistant
Becky joined OCT because of her interest in research and her love for connecting with people. She conducts memory assessments and supports the research team where applicable. When Becky is not in clinic she works as a paramedic.
Connor Gustafson, B.Sc
Psychometric Rater
Connor has a degree in Neuroscience and did his honours at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN). He assists at the clinic by using his research and interpersonal skills to support the study coordinators and conduct memory assessments.
Kayla Leclerc
Regulatory Assistant
Kayla has strong organizational and interpersonal skills. She provides administrative assistance to the research team.
Robert Goldberg
Psychometric Rater
Robert is currently a student attending UBC Okanagan entering his final year of a Biochemistry degree. He specializes in biology and has several years of first aid and upper level Biochemistry courses, focusing in on the brain and dementia.
Jordanna Laing, B.Sc
Junior Coordinator
Jordanna became interested in research during her time at UBC Okanagan where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She is currently obtaining her Graduate Certification in Clinical Research online through Humber College. She assists the research team with all aspects of clinical trials including interacting with participants and conducting memory assessments.
Sarena Krell
Regulatory Assistant/Unblinded Site Staff
Sarena is the Regulatory Assistant at Okanagan Clinical Trials. Her background as a Medical Office Assistant from University of Fraser Valley has guided her to assist with preparing study start-up documents.
Jessica Parmar, B.Sc.
Psychometric Rater/Unblinded Pharmacy Staff
Jessica graduated from UBCO with a degree in Biology. She enjoys interacting with people in the community and her background in healthcare interested her in clinical research. Jessica conducts memory assessments for the memory clinic, she also receives, stores, and prepares study drug for unblinded clinical trials.
Sara Ficaccio, B.Sc.
Research Assistant
Sara graduated from UBC Okanagan with a degree in Biology and a minor in psychology. Her academic background coupled with her experience in research allows her to assist in the lab with collecting and processing lab samples, vital signs, and ECGs.
Kennedy Astill, B.Sc.
Receptionist & Unblinded Pharmacy Staff
Kennedy graduated from UBC Okanagan with a degree in Medical and Molecular Biochemistry, where some of her favourite courses were pharmacology and clinical neuroscience. Her previous experience as a receptionist in a healthcare setting introduced her to assisting medical professionals, work she found extremely rewarding. The opportunity at OCT is a great way to bridge her education and passion, through acting as receptionist and preparing study drug for clinical trials.