Dr. Sue Tansey Named Medical Director, Pediatrics
PHILADELPHIA, March 18, 2013 — Premier Research today announced the addition of four talented clinicians to key leadership roles in its fast-growing pediatric and rare disease clinical trial research disciplines.
The Philadelphia-based global contract research organization (CRO) named Dr. Susan P. Tansey, MBCHB, MRCP, CCST, medical director, pediatrics. Her medical specialty areas include vaccines, cardiovascular, and oncology, although her initial training was in neonatology and pediatric medicine. She has considerable experience in pediatric clinical research and trial design.
Tansey’s expertise in developing detailed clinical development strategies in the pediatric therapeutic field will further strengthen a Premier Research team that brings to the table a wealth of experience in rare disease and pediatric research. In fact, that team has managed approximately 100 research projects in those disciplines in the last five years alone.
Tansey has considerable international experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having joined Premier Research from TMC Pharma Services Limited, where she was director of medical services. She previously had held research positions at Pfizer, Wyeth Research, and Servier R&D.
She is currently based at Premier Research’s facilities outside of London. She is also part-time associate director for industry at the non-profit Medicines for Children Research Network. Tansey received her bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Andrews and her MBChB degree in medicine from The University of Manchester. She is a Member of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, a Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, and an FPM observer on the RCPCH/NPPG Committee of Medicines.
Dr. Ilze Balode—also a neonatologist and pediatrician — has been named senior project manager at Premier Research Europe and is based in Latvia. Her global experience within the CRO and pharmaceutical industries is highlighted by her expertise in infectious diseases, pediatric dermatology, central nervous system, oncology, endocrinology, genitourinary, and respiratory conditions.
Balode came to Premier Research from ICON Clinical Research, where she was a project manager. She previously held clinical research positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Bulduru Hospital in Latvia.
Balode received her bachelor’s degree in law science from the School of Business Administration Turiba, Riga, and her MD degree from the Academy of Medicine of Latvia, Riga. She is a member of the Latvian Association of Pediatricians.
Dr. Alison Sampson has been named project director at Premier Research Europe and is based in the UK. A highly experienced global clinical trials expert, Sampson’s specialty areas include research in Phase I, II, and III oncology, medical devices, and rare diseases, particularly in pediatrics and neonates.
Previously she was project director for oncology at INC Research, UK. She also served in clinical trial leadership positions at Oxford Glycosciences, Covance, and Phytopharm Limited.
She earned both her bachelor’s degree in chemical sciences and a PhD degree from Leeds University. Prior to entering clinical research, Sampson trained as a chemist and she is a chartered member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and achieved chartered scientist status through the Institute of Clinical Research.
Mary Kay Seeland has been named director, clinical planning and study start-up. Based in the U.S., Seeland previously had managed clinical operations at Pharmaceutical Research Associates International (PRA). Prior to that, she had been engaged in clinical management and regulatory affairs positions at Amicus Therapeutics and Johnson & Johnson.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and information management from Rutgers University having studied nursing at Middlesex County College. She is a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
About Premier Research
Premier Research is a leading global contract research organization serving biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device corporations.
The company has a wealth of experience in rare disease and pediatric research having managed about 100 projects in each area in the last five years alone. Its services include clinical research and regulatory outsourcing in the areas of analgesia; neurology; infectious, cardiovascular, and respiratory disease; dermatology; oncology; and medical devices.
Premier Research has 21 offices (seven in North America, 14 in Europe) and operates in 23 countries. It employs 1,000 clinical professionals dedicated first and foremost to fulfilling each client’s requirements in a timely, accurate, and cost-effective manner. This includes a strong international network of monitors and project management professionals combined with regulatory, data management, statistical, scientific, and medical experts, and staff at its well-established network of dedicated clinical sites.