Our people
Research Executive Team
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
Nina Garlie, PhD
- Title:
- Vice President, Clinical Trials Research
- Email:
- nina.garlie@aah.org
Melissa Kadar
- Title:
- Director
- Email:
- melissa.kadar@aah.org
- Additional Information:
Center of Excellence in Cancer Research and Center of Excellence in Neuroscience Research
Cheryl Lefaiver, PhD, RN
- Title:
- Director
- Email:
- cheryl.lefaiver@aah.org
- Additional Information:
Center for Child and Family Research
Mercedes Robaina, EdD
- Title:
- Director
- Email:
- mercedes.robaina@aah.org
- Additional Information:
Office of Academic Research Support
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:
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
- Specialty:
- Health services research; health equity
- Title:
- Associate Research Scientist
- Email:
- eva.chang@aah.org
- Additional Information:
Veronica Fitzpatrick, DrPH, MPH
- Specialty:
- Maternal & child health; health equity
- Title:
- Research Scientist
- Email:
- veronica.fitzpatrick@aah.org
- Additional Information:
Jana Hirschtick, PhD, MPH
- Specialty:
- Health equity; COVID-19; behavioral health
- Title:
- Research Scientist
- Email:
- jana.hirschtick@aah.org
- Additional Information:
Marybeth Ingle, PhD, MPH
- Specialty:
- Reproductive health; environmental health; cancer epidemiology
- Title:
- Associate Research Scientist
- Email:
- mary.ingle@aah.org
- Additional Information:
Rasha Khatib, PhD, MHS
- Specialty:
- Health equity
- Title:
- Research Scientist, Advocate Aurora Research Institute
- Email:
- rasha.alkhatib@aah.org
- Additional Information:
Michelle Simpson, PhD, RN
- Specialty:
- Aging
- Title:
- Research Scientist
- Email:
- michelle.simpson@aah.org
- Additional Information:
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:
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
Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research
Frank Belmonte, DO, MPH
Center for Child and Family Research
Alan Brown, MD
Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research
Dennis Disch, MD
Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research
Varsha Gharpure, MD
Center for Child and Family Research
Darren Gitelman, MD
Center of Excellence in Neuroscience Research
Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
Center of Excellence in Cancer Research
Fuad Jan, MD
Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research
Dean Karahalios, MD
Center of Excellence in Neuroscience Research
Rich Mastrolia, MD
Center for Child and Family Research
Shaun O'Leary, MD
Center of Excellence in Neuroscience Research
Peter Polewski, MD
Center of Excellence in Cancer Research
Jon Richards, MD, PhD
Board Vice Chair, Medical Director, Advocate Cancer Institute, Advocate Aurora Health
Ali Valika, MD
Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research
James Weese, MD
Center of Excellence in Cancer Research
Thomas Wolfe, MD
Center of Excellence in Neuroscience Research
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
Board Chair, Chief Medical Group Officer, Advocate Aurora Health
Jon Richards, MD, PhD
Board Vice Chair, Medical Director, Advocate Cancer Institute, Advocate Aurora Health
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
Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Advocate Aurora Health
Rasha Khatib, PhD, MHS
Research Scientist, Advocate Aurora Research Institute
Janet Wessel Krejci, PhD, RN
Emeritus Dean and Professor, College of Nursing, Marquette University
Nan Nelson
Senior Vice President, Finance Operations, Advocate Aurora Health
Gregory Nycz
Executive Director, Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc.
Ina Owens, MSW, LCSW
Vice President, Grants and Program Development, Advocate Aurora Health
Carol Rizzie, MBA
(Retired) Director, Professional Development, Advocate Health Care
