Management

Cathryn A. Taub, RN, MHA, CIP - Chief Executve Officer

Cathryn has been in the IRB arena since 2003. Cathryn is a Registered Nurse, Public Health Nurse and has a Masters degree in Health Administration. Cathryn received her BSN from Cal State San Bernardino and her Masters Degree from National University. Cathryn has previously served as a school nurse, a home care RN for Pediatric and Adult patients of San Diego Hospice, and as the Executive Director of Borrego Medical Center. Cathryn is active in current political issues involving clinical research and is an active member of the legislative committee at Biocom. Cathryn is the President of Being Alive which is a non-profit organization for the San Diego HIV Resource Center. In addition, she holds a position on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). She currently is the Chief Executve Officer of Aspire IRB and a co-founder of the corporation.

Alycia M. Huston, BS, BA, CIP - Chief Operating Officer

Alycia has her Bachelors of Science in General Biology and Bachelors of Arts in Humanities from the University of California at San Diego. Alycia has been in the IRB arena since 1998. She has served on three IRB committees, including the Children’s Hospital IRB. She received her Certification of IRB Professional in November of 2002. Previously, Alycia also worked as a Research Associate for Cytel Corporation and Signal Pharmaceuticals.. Alycia is an active member of the Medical Device Committee at Biocom. . In addition, she holds a position on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). She currently is the Chief Operating Officer for Aspire IRB and a co-founder of the corporation.

Charlotte M. Stewart, CIP - Vice President of Phase I Operations

Charlotte is a Certified IRB Professional which she obtained in 2001. Charlotte has been in the IRB arena since 1997 and has previously served as Study Documents Coordinator, Senior Study Manager and IRB Administrator. Charlotte is currently very active in her community and has previously worked for the Community Connection Resource Center which is a grant funded non-profit corporation dedicated to assisting prisoners, parolees, probationers and adult ex-offenders for reentry into society. She currently is the Vice President of Phase I Operations for Aspire IRB and a co-founder of the corporation.

Michele R. Baptista, CIP - Vice President of Central Operations

Michele has been in the IRB arena since 1991. She has vast experience in the areas of Business Management and IRB Operations. In addition, she has been a member of the Consortium of Independent Review Boards (CIRB) since 1998 and currently holds the position of Treasurer. Michele was among the first 100 individuals to receive the Certification of IRB Professionals in October of 2000. She currently is the Vice President of Phase II-IV Operations and a co-founder of the corporation. 

Currien MacDonald, MD - Medical Director   

Experienced and knowledgeable beyond his years, Dr. Currien MacDonald is suited to steer a course up the winding roads of clinical research ethics and has done that since he became a member of Aspire Independent Review Board. Expanding his education by completing a Certificate in Clinical Trials Design and Management, he relished the added responsibility of primary medical reviewer for Aspire IRB. He was then asked to join the Aspire staff permanently being appointed Medical Director at the end of 2007.

A pre-med liberal arts education heavy on philosophy and literature, Currien MacDonald had a diverse educational base. Honoring his commitment to personal health and fitness, he won his pro card at an INBA qualifying contest while leading Sharp’s final class as Chief Resident. A broad thinker, Dr. MacDonald also earned a proficiency in hypnosis and completed a rigorous medical acupuncture training program. Dr. MacDonald used his Family Medicine board certification background and disciplined ethic to work at a busy urgent care clinic and as a contractor for the Department of Defense while continuing to volunteer his sports medicine experience as a Rock ‘N Roll Medical Team Captain and physician for UCSD and San Diego Community College sports.

Dr. MacDonald was the primary investigator for the Correctional Medicine Consultant Network-San Diego division. In this groundbreaking endeavor he developed the evaluation and research arm of the CMCN contributing to and giving presentations for national conferences. He continued his service to the community through volunteering as an attending physician at the local medical student-run homeless clinic.  Since joining the Aspire team he continues to be very involved in the review process, education, community service and writing environmental issues blog and several novels.  He is in the midst of creating a new blog about health featuring the latest studies, facts, trends and treatments.

Danielle R. Pattillo, MS, CIP - Quality Assurance and Compliance Administrator

Danielle brings approximately five years of experience serving IRBs working in many facets of the Independent Review Board including initial review, continuing review, and operations.  Danielle is a Certified IRB Professional (CIP) and a member of Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R).

Danielle has a diversified educational background receiving her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Agnes Scott College and her Masters of Science in professional counseling from Georgia State University. She completed her internship working as a clinical social worker in a psychiatric hospital. She also has experience as a career counselor to college students. Prior to her IRB career, she worked in the legal field including civil litigation, corporate law, real estate law, estate planning, divorce, and criminal law.  She is passionate about promoting the power of a liberal arts education and making a difference by supporting causes she believes in.

Professional Affiliations

• Biocom
• Association of Clinical Research Professionals (National and Local Chapter)
• Drug Information Association
• Consortium of Independent Review Boards
• San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research
• Applied Research Ethics National Association
• San Diego Regulatory Affairs Network
• SCORE
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

Services

---

OUR CORE SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Experience in Phases 0-IV
• Local and Central IRB Services
• Board Meetings Twice a Week on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• On site, Full-Time Medical Director
• Seasoned and Diverse Board
• Experienced CIP Certified Staff
• Timely and Quick Turn Around Service
  • 3-5 Business Day Turn Around (Expedited Review) from date of submission
  • 7-10 Business Day Turn Around (Full Board Review) from date of submission
• Notification Within 24 hours of Study Approval by Phone or E-mail (upon request)
• Informed Consent Document Development; Protocol Development
• Flexibility to accept all submissions via E-Mail, Facsimile or Mail
• Translation Services
• Timely Communication

 

EVERY CLIENT RECEIVES:

• Customized Services
• Professional and Responsive Customer Service
• What Is Best For The Research Participant
• Guidance and Assistance to Research Professionals
• Highly Qualified Employees
• A High Standard Of Performance
• Standard Of Excellence For Our Leadership
• Superior Knowledge of Industry Regulations and Trends
• Flexibility
• Innovative Solutions

Questions about how ASPIRE IRB services can help you? Contact us with your questions or to set up an onsite presentation today!

History

---

Aspire IRB was founded in 2004 by four women holding CIP certifications with more than 30 years of combined IRB experience. Aspire IRB is a certified women-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Our business ethics are defined by our Mission Statement and our Core Values.

Aspires business philosophy is to build lasting relationships with business partners who have a dedication to research and the ethical protection of human subjects. We are committed to timely and efficient service with emphasis on communication and teamwork.

Our major strengths are knowledge of industry regulations and trends, years of customer contacts and relationships, recognition of the importance of communication, flexibility and a desire to do our job well without error or duplication.

Full Range of Dedicated and Personalized Services: 

• Local and Central IRB Services
• Board meetings twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Seasoned and diverse board
• Experienced CIP certified staff
• Timely and Quick Turn Around Service
• 3-5 Business day turn around (Expedited Review)
• 7-10 Business day turn around (Full Board Review)
• Notification of study outcome within 24 hours by phone or email
• As a central IRB unlimited sites
• Process for unscheduled review if necessary
• Informed Consent Development
• All study documents are accepted electronically 
• Translation Services
• Professional and Responsive Customer Service
• On-Site Educational Services (Upon Request)
  

Who We Are As A Company

---

Aspire IRB is fully dedicated to the contribution made by every individual in the IRB process.

Aspire IRB is Devoted to:

• Doing what is best for the research participant
• Guidance and assistance to research professionals
• Well qualified employees and maintaining a high standard of performance
• Encouraging input from our employees and clients regarding our processes
• Giving back to our community through donations and participation in community events
• Setting a standard of excellence for our leadership
• Continually review and improve our operational processes
• Valuing our employees, our clients, our industry and our community

Mission Statement

---

Aspire IRB shall be a leader in the field of ethical protection providing advanced human research protection in a customer oriented environment based on relationships, quality and efficiency.

Home

---

Aspire is committed to the highest level of human research protection. To demonstrate its commitment, Aspire has applied for accreditation from AAHRPP.

Aspire IRB provides full IRB review services to the research community nationwide. Aspire IRB can manage your central and local IRB needs efficiently and professionally. The staff of Aspire IRB have more than 30 years of IRB experience and place customer service as a top priority.

Our mission is to protect human subjects while developing and nurturing a personal relationship with our client.

Together we can enhance the quality of life for all through ethical research and development.

View Our Services

Learn More About Aspire IRB

Request A Fee Schedule

Submit A Contact Form

---

ASPIRE IRB - San Diego · 9320 Fuerte Dr., Suite 105 · La Mesa, CA 91941
Phone 619-469-0108 · Fax 619-469-4108 · Email: email@aspire-irb.com

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Thursday 8:15am to 5:00pm (PDT)

Friday 8:15am to 3:00pm (PDT)

---

Community Resources

---

Letter from Aspire IRB
Rights and Responsibilities
Essential Information
Glossary

 

 

After reading the above information, if you have any further questions about your rights as a research participant please contact our Quality Assurance & Compliance Administrator Danielle Pattillo, MS, CIP at 619-469-0108 (collect calls are accepted).

If you wish to veiw the PDF version of the documents and do not currently have the Adobe Reader installed, you can download it free by clicking the link below.

ABOUT ASPIRE IRB

Aspire IRB was founded in 2004 by four dedicated women holding CIP certifications with more than 30 years of combined IRB experience. They were inspired to make a difference in the growing IRB industry. Aspire is a certified women-owned business by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. During that past three years Aspire IRB has developed a stellar reputation in the industry and their business has increased at an incredible rate. They continue to add to their staff of professionals and are poised to continue their growth into the next decade.

Aspire IRB's business philosophy is to build lasting relationships with business partners who are dedicated to research and the ethical protection of human subjects. We are committed to timely and efficient results with an emphasis on communication and teamwork.

©2008 Aspire IRB. All rights reserved.