Experience






Meet our Investigators
Kristopher Paolino
Director, Center for Clinical Research
Dr. Paolino attended SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine under the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. He trained at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., before becoming board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease. He then spent over 5 years working as a clinical researcher at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. There, he served as Chief of the Clinical Trials Center (CTC), overseeing over 2 dozen clinical trials, one of which was the first to vaccinate a patient with the current leading Ebola vaccine deployed to West Africa. Other leading vaccine candidates that Dr. Paolino has investigated include treatments against malaria, dengue, anthrax, hantavirus, and MERS-CoV.
Stephen Thomas
Director, Institute for Global Health & Translational Science
Dr. Thomas earned his Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Biomedical Ethics from Brown University, his Medical Degree from the Albany Medical College, and completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dr. Thomas is board certified in both Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine, holds a certification in Tropical Medicine and Traveler’s Health from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and is a Fellow in the American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Dr. Thomas has spent more than 5 years of his early career living and working in Thailand and Southeast Asia. He played a key leadership role during the West Africa Ebola outbreak, advising senior Department of Defense leadership and leading his team in planning and executing of Ebola vaccine trials. He was instrumental in developing and implementing his institution’s first in-human MERS-CoV vaccine trial and Zika vaccine. Prior to joining SUNY Upstate, Dr. Thomas spent twenty years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, serving at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, finishing his time there as the Chief Operating Officer of the Institute.
As Chief of Infectious Disease at SUNY, Dr. Thomas leads the Infectious Diseases Division and is responsible for providing in- and out-patient consultation for more than 10% of New York State’s population. As Director of the Institute of Global Health and Translational Science, he leads multiple initiatives encompassing education, research, and clinical service opportunities. His current research activities include work on dengue human infection models, development of vaccines against opioid use disorders, field-based studies exploring transmission and pathogenesis of arboviral diseases in Asia and Latin America, and both early and advanced phase testing of a number of vaccines and therapeutics against tropical diseases.
Tim Endy
Investigator/ Infectious Disease Division
Donald Blair
Investigator / Infectious Disease Division
Elizabeth Asiago-Reddy
Chief of Infectious Disease Associates
Elizabeth Harausz
Investigator / Infectious Disease Division
Prior to joining Upstate Medical University, she worked with the Desmond Tutu TB Centre at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, and in the HIV Research Program at Walter Reed Army Research Institute in Bethesda, MD. Her overseas experience has included working with sites in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda and Ecuador. She has also worked extensively with the World Health Organization. Her research interests include improving the diagnosis, treatment, access, and retention in care and prevention of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Rachael Cavelli
Nurse Practitioner
Rachael Cavelli is a Syracuse native. She joined the SUNY Global Health Research Unit in May of 2020. Rachael graduated from the Community General Hospital Nurse Practitioner program in 2000. She is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Rachael has worked in family medicine for 20 years. Before she became a NP, Rachael worked as a RN, and LPN which has given her many years of nursing and advanced practice experience.
Rezwana Hoque
Physician Assistant
Meet our Clinical Research Team
Michelle Klick
Clinical Research Manager
Kianna Ripich
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Keely Terrillion
Lead Recruitment Specialist
Shannon Atkins
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Peter Greco
Clinical Research Coordinator II
William Gregory
Clinical Research Coordinator I
William graduated from SUNY Oswego where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree degree in Biology. His background includes countless hours of educational based laboratory and research training along with prior experience in the customer service field and as an employment and training representative. Outside of work, William enjoys traveling along with spending time with friends and family.
BreAnn Burnette
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Joy Higuchi
IP Prep, Research RN
As an unblinded team member, Joy has the privilege of managing, preparing and administering investigational product. The first study in which she had a role was the landmark Pfizer Covid vaccine trial. As a result, she has developed a great appreciation for our noble volunteers. Joy is also board-certified as a medical-surgical nurse. In her current position, she diligently reads to keep up on new developments in infectious-disease research.
Outside of work Joy enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren, playing classical and sacred music on the piano, and sewing. She likes to travel when she can get away, and is always looking forward to her next visit to Japan.
Gretchen Bridendolph
Senior Research Support Specialist
The family is in the beginning stages of the ADK Firetower Challenge. She is new to NY but loving all that CNY and ADK have to offer.
Shola James
Clinical Research Assistant
Shola has over 14 years of experience with patient, clinical, laboratory and administrative experience. Outside of work, Shola enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also likes curling up with a good book and traveling.
Marianna Williams
Clinical Research Assistant
Marianna Williams is a Clinical Research Assistant with the Institute for Global Health and Translational Science. She is a New Jersey native and graduated from Independence University with an Associate’s Degree in Occupational Sciences. Prior to coming to SUNY Upstate Medical, she worked as a Medical Assistant for four years in primary care; assisting the uninsured, underprivileged, and reformed addicts. Later she gained experience with minor endoscopic procedures during my tenure in gastroenterology.
Outside of work Marianna likes to spend my free time with my daughter and husband, watching scary movies, sketching, and going to the beach in Jersey.
Lauryn White
Clinical Trial Recruiter Assistant
Meet our Administrative Team
Christina Lupone
Director of the Center for Education and Training
After earning a B.S. in Biology from Syracuse University, Tina spent several years working in the laboratory on infectious disease research before finding her passion in global public health. She then completed her MPH dually through SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University and is currently earning a Ph.D. at the University at Buffalo in Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning. Outside of work, Tina enjoys traveling and spending time with her son and family.
Evan Newell
Institute Postaward Manager
He holds a Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Northwestern University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, gaming with his friends, playing the drums, and fixing up old bikes.
Terrence Howell
Director, Quality Affairs
He completed his undergraduate education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He also completed an MBA from Northeastern University while working in the biotech industry in Boston, Massachusetts. Outside of work, Terry is busy with his family, hobby farm and two children.
Meet our Laboratory Team
Dongmei Liu
Laboratory Manager
Ryan Meath
Processing Lab Tech
Ryan holds a BS in Biotechnology and an MS in Clinical Chemistry, both from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He also holds an AAS in Environmental Technology: Geoscience from Onondaga Community College (OCC) in Syracuse, NY. In addition, he maintains OSHA 40 hour HAZWOPER and 24 Hour Hazmat Tech certifications.
Ryan’s prior research experience includes 5 years as a Research Technician for SUNY Upstate’s Psychiatric Genetic Epidemiology and Neurobiology Lab (PsychGENe Lab), investigating neuropsychiatric diseases (Autism, Schizophrenia, PTSD, Bipolar, etc) in efforts to identify blood-based genetic biomarkers for risk and resilience assessment, diagnosis, and treatment development. Ryan has also researched Iguana molecular phylogenetics and conducted archaeological fieldwork in Oaxaca, Mexico.
In his spare time, Ryan enjoys camping, kayaking, and is an avid Science Fiction fan; he also follows college hockey and lacrosse (Go Tigers!).
Kristen Baxter
Technician, Sample Processing Laboratory
Having obtained a B.S. in Conservation Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Kristen has a strong appreciation for the natural world and all of its inhabitants. She has a passion for attending concerts and rooting for local sports teams. Being a CNY native has shaped her love for Syracuse and the surrounding areas and she looks forward to contributing to Upstate and the Institute for some time to come.