Synteract Management Team

Wendel Barr, MBA
CEO

As CEO of Synteract, Wendel Barr is responsible for setting vision, planning strategy and directing business growth operations for the company. Wendel has broad experience as an officer-level executive, managing medical device and life science companies, and has impacted long-term growth, operational excellence, and the expansion of new geographic and channel opportunities for some of the largest companies in the industry. His extensive international experience, gained in Asia, Western Europe and Latin America, is a valuable asset for Synteract as the company continues to expand its reach to meet the increasingly global needs of its clients.

Prior to joining Synteract in June 2011, Wendel held positions with:

• Covance Inc. as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President
• Marconi Medical Services as Vice President and General Manager, Global Services
• GE Healthcare as General Manager – Service, West Zone, among other previous management positions

Wendel earned his Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology from DeVry Institute of Technology in Phoenix, Arizona and his Master of Business Administration from National University in California.

 

Stewart Bieler
Chief Operating Officer

As Senior VP of Clinical Operations and Project Management, Stewart is responsible for the management of the clinical operations, project management and medical writing departments. Stewart has worked in the industry since 1987 and is well versed in the entire clinical development process. He has been with Synteract since 1999, and has been instrumental in the growth of Synteract to becoming a full-service clinical CRO, specifically developing the clinical operations and project management service offerings.

Prior to joining the Synteract team, Stewart worked for:

• Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as Senior Manager of Regulatory Submissions
• Gensia, Inc., as Manager of Clinical Development

Stewart holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Stanford University.

 

Marilyn R. Carlson, D.M.D., M.D., RAC
Vice President, Medical & Regulatory Affairs

Maryilyn Carlson joined Synteract in 2004 and is responsible for medical, regulatory and safety services. She has over 17 years of experience with small, mid-size and large companies in the development and post-marketing support of drugs, biologics and diagnostics. Marilyn’s high level medical/clinical background and broad range of therapeutic expertise make her an integral part of the Synteract team.

Prior to working with Synteract, Marilyn held positions for:

• U.S. Agent for non-U.S. companies seeking FDA approval
• entreMeDica, Inc. (a consulting company) as Founder and President
  
• Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical/Regulatory
  
• Ista Pharmaceuticals as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs
  
• XOMA as Vice President of Clinical & Medical Affairs
  
• Proctor & Gamble Pharmaceuticals as Worldwide Technical Brand Manager and Medical Director of Medical Affairs
  
• Proctor and Gamble Healthcare as Medical Director of Worldwide Medical Affairs

Marilyn holds a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology and biology from Hunter College in New York City, A Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from Harvard and a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She completed residencies in Geriatrics and Special Patient Care at Long Island Jewish and Internal Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Marilyn also has a Regulatory Affairs Certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.

 

Ali Sadighian
Vice President, Business Development

Ali has been in R&D and clinical development for over 15 years, and with Synteract since 2006. As Director of Business Development, he is responsible for assessing and managing new business opportunities as well as developing, leading, and participating in both general capability and proposal presentations to study sponsors. In this role he is also a primary team member overseeing Synteract’s advertising, promotional programs, public relations, and trade shows, including Internet-based communications.

Before Synteract, Ali held positions for the following companies:

• Monitorforhire.com as Manager, then Director of Clinical Operations
  
• PRA International as a Senior Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
  
• Quintiles, Inc. as a CRA, then Senior CRA
  
• The Immune Response Corporation as a Quality Control Associate
  
• The University of California as a Staff Research Associate

Ali holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Biology from the University of California in San Diego.

Mark Knowles
Principal Statistician

Mark Knowles joined the Synteract team in 2002, and is responsible for providing statistical expertise in study design, data analysis and reporting in a range of therapeutic areas including: oncology, ophthalmology, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal. He also writes statistical methodology sections and analysis plans for study protocols and reports.
Mark assists Synteract clients with the statistical aspects of regulatory strategies and provides representation at regulatory meetings.

Prior to joining Synteract, Mark worked for:

• Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as Senior Director of Biostatistics
  
• Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as Director and Head of Biostatistics
  
• Gensia Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as Associate Director of Statistics
  
• ALZA Corporation as Manager of Biostatistics

Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., Canada, and a Ph.D. in Statistics from Stanford University. He is an active member of the American Statistical Association, and is an author on numerous published articles.

 

Patrik S. Jeanmonod
Chief Financial Officer

Patrik Jeanmonod is currently CFO at Synteract and responsible for the company’s finance, accounting, investor relations and related functions. Patrik has over 20 years of experience in financial leadership roles in both U.S. and International companies and more than 15 years of experience working in contract research organizations.

Prior to joining Synteract, Patrik handled several senior positions in fiscal responsibility, including fundraising and buyouts of international partnerships, at several international companies.

Specifically, he worked as:

• CFO at Bridge Laboratories, responsible for finance, accounting, treasury, taxes and IT for US and China operations
• A member of the senior management team that opened the first FDA-compliant laboratory in Beijing, China
• VP Global Finance for Central Laboratory Services at Covance in Geneva and Indianapolis, IN
• Began his career and served in a number global finance and accounting management positions with Chopard, ConAgra and as financial analyst for the United European Bank in Geneva.

Mr. Jeanmonod holds a Master’s Degree in Commercial and Industrial Sciences from the University of Geneva.

 

Mary E. Clegg, RN
Senior Director, Clinical Operations

A veteran of the clinical research industry since 1988, Mary E. Clegg is also a registered nurse who is well-qualified to serve as Synteract’s Senior Director of Clinical Operations. Mary is responsible for oversight of the clinical operations area, clinical resourcing, and clinical trial management.

Mary has extensive experience in the monitoring of all phases of clinical trials in accordance with FDA regulations, good clinical practices and ICH guidelines. She has been with Synteract since 2003 and has steadily moved into roles with increasing responsibility, from clinical research associate to senior director.

Prior to her positions at Synteract, Mary has worked as:

• An independent clinical research associate
• Deputy project director with the University of California, San Diego
• Clinical research manager and RN at the Centre for Health Care, San Diego
• Medical assistant and clinical research coordinator for Scripps Clinics and Research Foundation, San Diego

Mary holds a Registered Nursing degree from Palomar College and maintains an active California RN license #504851.

 

Rod M. Saponjic, Ph.D., MBA
Vice President, Global Project Management

Rod M. Saponjic, PhD, MBA was named Vice President, Global Project Management of Synteract in August 2009. In this role, Rod is responsible for implementing and harmonizing global processes, systems, services and operations across the organization. Additionally, he is responsible for providing support and guidance for project teams in executing and achieving client deliverables.

Rod has extensive experience in the clinical trials industry. He is a published author, has participated as a presenter in several conferences and has participated on the Board of Directors or advisory boards of industry leaders.

Prior to joining Synteract, he:

• Served as VP Global Project Management at PRA International for five years
• Held senior management positions at Monitorforhire.com, Clingenix, Quintiles, and International Medical Technical Consultants in Operations, Corporate and Venture Partnership, and Strategic Drug Development.

Rod earned a BA in Psychology at Texas Tech University, MS and PhD in Neuroscience at Texas Christian University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Baker University.