"Site success impacts everyone in research" is the mission that drives Sean and his team as Vice President of Strategy & Business Partnerships for the Society for Clinical Research Sites. With more than 20 years experience in life sciences, Sean has lead commercial operations and strategy for ACRP, ATD, and SCRS, helping to develop programming, conferences and membership plans that bring organizations together to network and collaborate.  

Mr. Soth helped to launch SCRS, and in his role connects sponsors, CROs and solution providers within the SCRS community.  Sean is a regular speaker, panelist and host, leading the SCRS Global Impact Partner program, Sites NOW, and Site Solution Summit sponsor efforts.  During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Soth and his team worked to create a virtual networking program, Sites NOW, to help keep research sites connected and informed on topics like decentralized clinical trials, patient centricity, technology burden, and DEI.  

In 2021 Mr. Soth was named Leadership Advisory Board Chair of the PAR council, and regularly shares insights on publishing, conferences and association leadership.

Lisa has been with PPD for over 20 years in project management, strategic feasibility, proposal development and site collaborations, incorporating collaborative strategies across multiple regions and departments. Lisa began her oversight of the Patient Services group in March 2021 and since then she has been working to build the overall foundation of the group including developing oversight processes, developing guidelines for PPD teams, and further formalizing internal processes and KPIs.  

A senior clinical development and research operations executive, Michael Clay has over 25 years of industry experience. His expertise spans the clinical research ecosystem, including site management, biopharma, and contract research organizations (CRO).

Michael served in multiple key leadership positions across the industry prior to joining Javara, most recently as Vice President of Cardiovascular, Metabolic & Critical Care and the Government and Public Health Services (GPHS) Unit Head at PPD. While there, he oversaw the portfolio of clinical development programs and led a large team of clinical trial professionals. Prior to that, Clay held several other executive and leadership positions during his 15 years with PPD, including Vice President of Strategic Business Operations and Vice President Clinical Development of Asia-Pacific where he managed teams from over 14 countries. Michael also brings significant experience in clinical site management having recently worked at Synexus USA as Chief Operations Officer, where he was responsible for operational delivery and quality oversight of over 85 clinical trial locations.

A thought leader and influential speaker, Michael has participated as a panelist at the MAGI conference and presented as the Keynote Speaker for both BioPharma Asia and the New Zealand Association of Clinical Research. While at PPD, Michael was a recognized leader executing multiple strategic growth initiatives for the organization and received multiple Leadership Awards for these achievements.

Michael received his M.S.J. in pharmaceutical and medical device law from Seton Hall University School of Law and a B.S. in biology from Missouri State University School of Natural and Applied Sciences.

Jimmy Bechtel is the Society for Clinical Research Sites' (SCRS) director of innovation and engagement. He brings experience from both the site and sponsor sides of the clinical research industry to his critical role with SCRS. Jimmy provided a variety of support within the site spectrum in previous positions as data specialist, patient recruiter and operations manager. On the pharma side where he worked in innovation project management, Jimmy utilized his previous professional experience to encourage a site-centric environment and create ease for sites working with a major sponsor company. This multifaceted background allows Jimmy to bring a unique perspective to the work he does on behalf of the sites. At SCRS, Jimmy is in charge of developing and executing the company's global impact partner and member-facing initiatives, and works closely with key industry partners to build out various SCRS partnership program

Dr. Marusina leads the Clinical Trials Office, a key unit within the UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center, which
provides comprehensive management of clinical studies, maintains an extensive clinical research competency training program, and improves local clinical trials processes and infrastructure. She is a regular presenter at conferences including the Trial Innovation Network, Association for Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), MAGI Conference and others, and have published several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Dr. Marusina actively participates in workforce development collaborations, such as the ACRP Partners in Workforce Advancement. She fostered several programs improving translation of new products from bench to bedside, including the CTSA Pharmaceutical Assets Portal, now a national initiative between academia and industry to find new uses for discontinued drugs. Prior to UC Davis, Dr. Marusina was a part of the Business Development Group at Novozymes A/S, Denmark, a global leader in industrial enzymes. Dr. Marusina served as Product Manager of Clontech, then a Becton Dickinson Company, where she was responsible for an extensive portfolio of molecular biology products. She received her BS degree in Biochemistry from the Leningrad
State University, Russia, Ph.D. in Molecular Immunology and MBA degree from the University of Cincinnati, OH.

Sean is the Director of Site Relationship Management at Merck.  12+ years business, finance, and operations experience from site, CRO, and sponsor perspectives. In his personal life, Sean identifies as a Nomad, husband, dog dad, avid reader/writer, and foodie. 

Hera Arham is the Director of Marketing & Patient Engagement at DM Clinical Research based out of Houston, TX. She joined DM Clinical with over 10 years of experience in marketing, communications, and business development for various organizations across the nation. She holds an MBA in Marketing and a Master's in Global Affairs. She is passionate about all things patients and has worked over the last two years to help propel a culture of patient-centricity within the organization through her considerable marketing and patient engagement efforts. As someone who has always viewed marketing and patient engagement through the lens of the patient, she is passionate about amplifying the patient voice and helping to operationalize meaningful change through data and metrics.