Key UCI CCR Contacts

Center for Clinical Research directors

CCR has a highly experienced leadership team dedicated to advancing clinical research and improving patient health. 

Led by our Interim Medical Director, Dr. Vilain, the leadership team includes key personnel in operations, clinical research coordination, administration, finance, and business development. The team provides strategic direction, innovative solutions, and operational expertise to ensure that the center operates at the highest level of quality and efficiency.  

With a wealth of experience in diverse areas of clinical research, the CCR leadership team is committed to collaborating with sponsors, investigators and the broader community to conduct clinical research that advances medical knowledge and improves patient outcomes.

Eric J. Vilain, MD, PhD

Interim Medical Director, UCI Center for Clinical Research

A board-certified medical geneticist, Dr. Vilain is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in genetic and genomic medicine, with a particular focus on differences of sex development and rare conditions. His extensive experience and strategic vision will be instrumental in strengthening the infrastructure and supporting UCI's expanding clinical research portfolio. Currently a professor of pediatrics and the associate vice chancellor for scientific affairs, Dr. Vilain also directs the Institute for Clinical & Translational Science. His contributions to the field have been recognized by prestigious organizations, including the NIH, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, March of Dimes, and the Society for Pediatric Research.

As Interim Medical Director, Dr. Vilain will provide crucial governance and leadership to the CCR, ensuring its continued growth and adaptation to the evolving needs of researchers and the community. His role encompasses overseeing clinical research governance, guiding the clinical trial enterprise, and fostering the development of a robust physician-scientist pipeline. Dr. Vilain's appointment underscores UCI's commitment to excellence in clinical research and positions the Center for Clinical Research to meet current and future challenges in the rapidly evolving field of medical science.

Beverly Lo Alger, MD, CCRP, CHRC

Director of Clinical Trials, Administration and Finance

Dr. Alger joins UCI from Gilead Sciences, Inc., where she served as regulatory compliance global lead for the Americas and Asia. In this capacity, she was responsible for regulatory compliance and quality oversight worldwide for research and development groups conducting preclinical and clinical research, and pharmacovigilance activities for both investigational and post-approval products. Prior to Gilead Sciences, she served as director of compliance for the City of Hope National Medical Center. Dr. Alger also previously served as the research compliance officer for the UCI Medical Center.

Jessica Spolarich, MBA

Assistant Director, Clinical Research Operations

Jessica joins our team from the UCI Cancer Center where she worked as a Clinical Research Manager and managed a team of 16 direct reports. She oversaw five disease site clinical trial portfolios, performed administrative and clinical operations for 160 trials and approximately 260 patients. Additionally, she developed SOPs to ensure compliance, worked with Medical Center Faculty and departments, and developed investigator-initiated trial protocols. Jessica’s background also includes assisting with industry sponsor budget and contract negotiations. Prior to UCI, Jessica worked for Eisenhower Health as a Clinical Research Associate. In her new role, Jessica is responsible for managing operations of the UCI Center for Clinical Research (CCR) and the associated quality, regulatory, and administrative functions of all clinical research activities.

Stephen Regal

Assistant Director of Finance

With a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Arizona State University and a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University, Stephen brings nearly two decades of experience in research finance management at prestigious academic institutions such as Columbia and USC to his role at UCI. With a proven track record in managing industry-sponsored and federally funded clinical trials, Stephen has a wealth of knowledge in the field of clinical research. His expertise and leadership are a valuable asset to our team at UCI Center for Clinical Research, and we're thrilled to have him on board.

Daniella "Dani" VanBlitter Gibbs

Assistant Director of Business Development & Technology

With a background in Cognitive and Biological Science, Dani is a proud UC Irvine alumna who has amassed a decade of experience in clinical trial and research. She joined the CCR in 2021 as a Recruitment Specialist, where her specific focus on research recruitment and enrollment strategies has been instrumental at CCR. In her current role as the Assistant Director of Business Development and Technology, Dani is responsible for expanding the CCR's profile of clinical trials, cultivating new business opportunities with industry sponsors, and managing key client relationships. She is also in charge of establishing data analytics, dashboards, and reporting functionalities for CCR stakeholders. Her creative and innovative approach to community engagement, through avenues such as newsletters, events, platforms, and campaigns, enables patients to have access to the latest clinical trials. Dani's unique set of skills, including her business development and creative thinking abilities, are a vital component of the CCR team. We are thrilled to have her on board and are confident that her contributions will help to take our organization to new heights.

Center for Clinical Research clinical unit

The clinical unit provides expert support throughout every phase of our clinical trials, ensuring smooth operations and adherence to protocols.

Clinical Research Managers

Scott Heese, MPH

Multispecialty Team: Anesthesia, Dermatology, Nephrology, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, Psychiatry, Radiation Science, Rheumatology, Urology Family

Rosie Magallon

Ophthalmology & Medicine Team: Benign Hematology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Pulmonology

Veronica Martin

Neuroscience & Imaging Team: Family Medicine, Neurology, Pathology

Lizette Spiers

Surgical Specialty Team:Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Neonatology, Neurosurgery, Ob-Gynecology, Orthopedics, PM&R, Surgery

Marie Wencel

Movement, Memory & Stroke Team: Epilepsy, Memory Disorders, Movement Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurogenetics, Stroke

Jessica Spolarich (Interim/TBH)

Cardiopulmonary Team: Anesthesia, Cardiology, Family Medicine, Pathology, Pulmonology

Regulatory Affairs Unit

Anna Zheng

Clinical Research Supervisor

Research Nursing Unit

Melanie Meton

Clinical Research Nurse Manager: Nursing Team and Laboratory Services Team

Research Finance Unit

Beatriz Rivera

Department Finance Supervisor

Carmen Anca Ariciuc

Research Finance Supervisor: Start up and Post Award

Business Development and Technology Unit

Randi Mays

Business Devlopment Manager

Marylee Melendrez

Participant Recruitment Manager

Jocelynn Suarez

Data & Systems Manager

Erika Pitcher

Program Management