Featured Clinical Research Experts

I'm currently doing a PhD on the subject of ADHD in the workplace, including the flipsides to ADHD traits, to understand the strengths as well as the challenges. I was diagnosed ADHD myself in 2014, after being tested for autism at a young age, and misdiagnosed as OCD in my teens. I volunteer at two charitable organisations that focus of neurodivergence.

Dr. James Utley is a pioneering scientist at the forefront of cellular therapy, AI, and data science. A Johns Hopkins-educated Immunohematology expert and Certified Advanced Biotherapies Professional (CABP), he also holds advanced certifications in data science and machine learning. While serving as Technical Director at a major healthcare organization, Dr. Utley oversaw more than 150,000 successful cellular transfusions and spearheaded advancements that significantly improved patient outcomes. This experience included leading initiatives for the Department of Defense, where he revolutionized cellular transfusion practices. His innovative approach is further exemplified by his FDA-approved work and numerous publications in leading scientific journals. Dr. Utley is also known for his bold, hands-on approach to research, embodying the spirit of a "biohacker" by pushing the boundaries of CRISPR and genetic engineering through self-experimentation. This unique blend of rigorous scientific training and unconventional methods has earned him the moniker "the pirate" within the biohacker community.

I’m a lifesciences compliance strategist with a passion for building real-world, right-sized programs in fast-moving environments. With deep experience in pharma and medtech, I specialize in translating regulatory complexity into practical, actionable frameworks. I’ve spent 7+ years navigating the gray areas of compliance—from training physicians on industry expectations to building startup programs from the ground up. I believe compliance should be ethical, functional, and human-centered—and that culture is built through clarity, storytelling, and respect, not fear. Outside of policy and audits, I speak regularly on startup compliance and love turning “boring” topics into memorable moments. I'm here to connect, create, and contribute.

Erena DiGonis, LCSW-R is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Health Coach, and Certified Clinical Anxiety and Trauma Treatment Professional. She is also certified in Brainspotting and trained in EMDR. Erena has twenty-one years of practical and professional experience as an active clinician, teacher, and supervisor. She has worked in a variety of community, psychiatric, in-home, and private practice settings with hundreds of complex cases. Erena is a sought-after writer, speaker, and consultant and has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Psychology Today, Reader’s Digest, Women's Health, and MEL magazine. She has reviewed book proposals for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is an Advisory Board Member for the CPTSD Foundation. Erena serves as the Founder and Continuing Education Director of EngagedMinds, a national Continuing Education business providing training for Counselors, Social Workers, and Therapists.

I am a seasoned mental health and addiction specialist, dedicated to the field of treatment and recovery since 2015. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and I am credentialed as both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Over the years, I've gained hands-on experience in various areas, including psychiatric acute stabilization, psychiatric partial hospitalization, and both in-patient and out-patient substance use treatment. My journey has taken me through clinical counseling, program development, and organizational leadership. Before joining New Waters, I served as the Clinical Director at Gupta Psychiatry and Wellness in Raleigh, NC, where I helped shape a respected substance abuse partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of quality clinical programming and its impact on long-term sobriety. With a compassionate approach, I am committed to helping individuals and families overcome substance use disorders, guiding them toward a life free from addiction.

Dana Hall (She/Her/Hers) brings nearly two decades of clinical, research, and leadership experience in psychology to her work as a licensed clinical professional counselor. Currently, Dana is an LCPC in private practice in the state of Illinois. As an accomplished author and engaging public speaker, she leverages her clinical expertise alongside her passion for social justice advocacy, championing inclusion and trauma-informed practices in both education and counseling. Her extensive credentials further underscore her expertise. Dana is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP and CCTP-II), a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional, a Certified Family Trauma Specialist (IATP), a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional, a Certified DBT Practitioner, and a Clinical Forensic Neuroscience-Informed Practitioner (CFNIP). These specialty and advanced certifications highlight her commitment to providing cutting-edge, empathetic care in her field.

I am Brian Tham, an Applied Artificial Intelligence undergraduate at Singapore Institute of Technology with a strong academic record and practical experience in AI research and development. My work focuses on advancing AI applications, particularly in the areas of model protection, computer vision, and machine learning. You may view my portfolio/website at https://tham.ai As a Research Student at Singapore Institute of Technology, I've contributed to significant work on AI model protection, specifically focusing on defending deep neural networks against model extraction attacks. My research encompasses model watermarking, adversarial robustness, and advanced defense mechanisms, with practical applications in medical imaging through UNet model implementation for brain MRI segmentation. My technical portfolio includes notable projects such as FoodVision, a real-time deep learning food detection system utilizing YOLOv8 technology, and a Speech Emotion Recognition system based on Wav2Vec2. I've also conducted comprehensive analyses of emerging technologies, including a detailed study of ransomware impacts across various industries and an evaluation of AI chatbot capabilities. Previously, I enhanced medical education at Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, where my e-learning courseware development contributed to a 20% improvement in student test scores. My professional experience extends to the Ministry of Defence of Singapore, where I specialized in data processing automation and visualization using PowerBI and Excel. I hold multiple prestigious certifications, including Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer, Google Business Intelligence, and AI4I® – Proficiency in AI from AI Singapore. My technical expertise spans Python, machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), and data analysis tools, complemented by a deep understanding of quantum computing, large language models, and autonomous vehicle technologies. This combination of academic excellence, practical research experience, and technical expertise positions me at the forefront of AI innovation and its real-world applications.

Dr. Lesser Allen is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to helping individuals deepen their self-understanding and navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and resilience. She provides individual therapy for adolescents and adults, parenting coaching/consultation, and virtual “Hold the Mother” workshops for new mothers exploring identity and transition. Dr. Lesser Allen specializes in life transitions, parenthood, perinatal mental health, relationship dynamics, complex family dynamics, identity development, borderline personality traits, and career stress.

As the Chief Operating Officer at Ocean Recovery, my journey here is deeply personal and academically grounded. I am an alumnus of the program myself, which allows me to truly understand the challenges and triumphs our clients and their families face throughout treatment. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach, I bring a holistic approach to addressing Addiction, Trauma, and Eating Disorders. Over the past nine years, I have grown from a support role into a leadership position, a journey that reflects my dedication and the trust I’ve built within our community. My passion lies in helping others rediscover joy in recovery, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to contribute to the transformative journeys of our clients.

I am the CEO of ANR Clinic®, where we focus on pioneering a transformative approach to opioid dependency treatment. Our method aims to restore the endorphin-receptor balance disrupted by opioid use, reversing dependency instead of merely managing symptoms. With a background in education from The Open University of Israel and a professional base in Tampa, I am committed to reshaping opioid recovery. Our innovative strategy has gained recognition, including media coverage in outlets like Newsmax, for its potential to improve patient outcomes and address the root causes of opioid addiction.

I began my educational and professional journey later in life, starting at the age of 45 at East Los Angeles College in the Addiction Studies Program with the goal of becoming a drug and alcohol counselor. What began as a single college course turned into a life-changing path that led to the completion of a master’s degree in psychology. Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the owners of this company, who supported me every step of the way. My career began as a driver, then progressed to technician, drug and alcohol counselor, and coordinator of the internship program for addiction counseling. I later transitioned to the mental health field, where I managed PHP/IOP programs, ran an RTC, and facilitated family therapy groups. I bring comprehensive experience across both addiction and mental health services and am deeply familiar with the roles and responsibilities of each position. My clinical approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and solution-focused practices. I am committed to meeting each client exactly where they are in their recovery journey. In addition to my clinical work, I serve as an adjunct professor at East Los Angeles College—teaching in the same program where I began my journey 15 years ago. As someone with lived experience in both active addiction and long-term recovery, I bring empathy, insight, and dedication to my work. I recently celebrated 15 years of sobriety and am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. Outside of work, I’m an avid Dodgers fan and enjoy spending quality time with family and friends.