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
     
Coe Values

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.