Our people

Research Executive Team

Amit Acharya, PhD

Amit Acharya, PhD

Title:
Vice Chief Science Officer, Advocate Health; Vice Dean for Regional Research Strategy & Integration, Wake Forest University School of Medicine; President, Advocate Aurora Research Institute
Email:
amit.acharya@aah.org
Denise Angst, PhD, RN

Denise Angst, PhD, RN

Title:
Vice President, Academic Research and Strategic Partnerships
Email:
denise.angst@aah.org
Nina Garlie, PhD

Nina Garlie, PhD

Title:
Vice President, Clinical Trials Research
Email:
nina.garlie@aah.org

Directors

Melissa Kadar

Melissa Kadar

Email:
melissa.kadar@aah.org
Additional Information:

Center of Excellence in Cancer Research and Center of Excellence in Neuroscience Research

Cheryl Lefaiver, PhD, RN

Cheryl Lefaiver, PhD, RN

Email:
cheryl.lefaiver@aah.org
Additional Information:

Center for Child and Family Research

Mercedes Robaina, EdD

Mercedes Robaina, EdD

Email:
mercedes.robaina@aah.org
Additional Information:

Office of Academic Research Support

Brandie DePaoli Taylor, PhD, MPH
Brandie DePaoli Taylor, PhD, MPH
Specialty:
Reproductive epidemiology; maternal and child health; health equity
Title:
Scientific Research Director
Email:
brandie.taylor@aah.org
Additional Information:

Scientific Research

Laura Wrona, MSN

Laura Wrona, MSN

Email:
laura.wrona@aah.org
Additional Information:

Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research and Clinical Trials Office

Independent Research Scientists

Our academic research programs are led by independent research scientists who dedicate their scientific expertise to both Advocate Aurora Health investigator-initiated studies and collaborative projects developed and conducted in partnership with academic or industry partners. 

Eva Chang, PhD, MPH
Eva Chang, PhD, MPH

Associate Research Scientist

Veronica Fitzpatrick, DrPH

Research Scientist

Jana Hirschtick, PhD, MPH
Jana Hirschtick, PhD, MPH

Research Scientist

Marybeth Ingle, PhD, MPH
Marybeth Ingle, PhD, MPH

Associate Research Scientist

Rasha Khatib, PhD, MHS
Rasha Khatib, PhD, MHS

Research Scientist

Michelle Simpson, PhD, RN
Michelle Simpson, PhD, RN

Research Scientist

Brandie DePaoli Taylor, PhD, MPH
Brandie DePaoli Taylor, PhD, MPH

Scientific Research Director

Research Executive Council physician leaders

Each of our Research Executive Councils include physician leaders working in partnership with the Research Institute to provide strategic direction for clinical research within their service line.

Tanvir Bajwa, MD

Tanvir Bajwa, MD

Frank Belmonte, DO, MPH

Frank Belmonte, DO, MPH

Alan Brown, MD

Alan Brown, MD

Dennis Disch, MD

Dennis Disch, MD

Varsha Gharpure, MD

Varsha Gharpure, MD

Darren Gitelman, MD

Darren Gitelman, MD

Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD

Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD

Fuad Jan, MD

Fuad Jan, MD

Dean Karahalios, MD

Dean Karahalios, MD

Shaun O'Leary, MD

Shaun O'Leary, MD

Peter Polewski, MD

Peter Polewski, MD

Jon Richards, MD, PhD

Jon Richards, MD, PhD

Board Vice Chair, Medical Director, Advocate Cancer Institute, Advocate Aurora Health

Ali Valika, MD

Ali Valika, MD

James Weese, MD

James Weese, MD

Ann Windsor, MD

Ann Windsor, MD

Thomas Wolfe, MD

Thomas Wolfe, MD

Board of Directors

Our board of directors consists of Advocate Aurora Health leaders and key community stakeholders who serve in an advisory capacity, helping to shape the Research Institute’s future.

Jeffrey Bahr, MD

Jeffrey Bahr, MD

Board Chair, Chief Medical Group Officer, Advocate Aurora Health

Jon Richards, MD, PhD

Jon Richards, MD, PhD

Board Vice Chair, Medical Director, Advocate Cancer Institute, Advocate Aurora Health

Amit Acharya, PhD

Amit Acharya, PhD

Vice Chief Science Officer, Advocate Health; Vice Dean for Regional Research Strategy & Integration, Wake Forest University School of Medicine; President, Advocate Aurora Research Institute

Rachelle (Shelly) Hart, JD

Rachelle (Shelly) Hart, JD

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Advocate Aurora Health

Rasha Khatib, PhD, MHS
Rasha Khatib, PhD, MHS

Research Scientist

Janet Wessel Krejci, PhD, RN

Janet Wessel Krejci, PhD, RN

Emeritus Dean and Professor, College of Nursing, Marquette University

Nan Nelson

Nan Nelson

Senior Vice President, Finance Operations, Advocate Aurora Health

Gregory Nycz

Gregory Nycz

Executive Director, Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc.

Ina Owens, MSW, LCSW

Ina Owens, MSW, LCSW

Vice President, Grants and Program Development, Advocate Aurora Health

Carol Rizzie, MBA

Carol Rizzie, MBA

(Retired) Director, Professional Development, Advocate Health Care

Ajay Sahajpal

Dr. Ajay Sahajpal