OUR TEAM
Black Tusk Research Group is a Site Management Organization located in downtown Vancouver that specializes in operating clinical trials for hospital investigators. Our duties range from carrying out project specific tasks to conducting project management from start to finish. Black Tusk is currently aiding over 45 principal investigators, actively managing over 200 pharmaceutical and academic trials, and has partnered with over 10 pharmaceutical sponsors. Professional integrity and patient centered care are among our core values.
MEET OUR SENIOR TEAM
Dedicated professionals with an appetite for research and patient-centered care
Lynda Lazosky, RRT, BSc, CCRP
Founder & CEO
(She/Her/Hers)
Lynda has been in the clinical trials ecosphere for more than 20 years. She founded Black Tusk in 2014 and has been Chief Executive Officer ever since. She is also a licensed respiratory therapist.
John Boyd, MD, PhD
Co-Founder & CMO
(He/Him/His)
Dr. Boyd is a co-founder of Black Tusk as well as an Associate Professor in internal medicine at the University of British Columbia. He is also an Intensivist the St. Paul's Hospital ICU and an Investigator at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation.
Anusha Karna, MSc
Clinical Research Manager
(She/Her/Hers)
Anusha Karna is a dedicated professional with a strong passion for healthcare and research. Her educational journey led her to attain a dual master's degree in Global Health and Human Services Administration, complemented by a second master's degree in Pharmacy, specializing in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance. With over nine years of experience in the dynamic field of Clinical Research, she has honed her skills in designing, managing, and executing clinical trials that have a tangible impact on healthcare. Her work not only contributes to the advancement of medical science but also enhances healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Melika (Fatemeh) Nouri, MD
Clinical Research Manager
(She/Her/Hers)
Melika, MD, is a dedicated healthcare professional who is deeply committed to advancing medical research and enhancing patient care. With a solid foundation in medicine and research, Melika obtained her medical degree in Iran and gained valuable experience at Masih Daneshvari Hospital, a leading CF treatment facility in the region. Her direct involvement with CF patients during internships and work has provided her with a profound understanding of the disease and fueled her passion for CF research. In her role as a Clinical Project Manager at BTRG, Melika leverages her expertise to lead CF studies and contribute to the development of innovative treatments. With her extensive medical and research background, Melika excels at efficiently managing projects, coordinating research activities, and ensuring the timely completion of studies. Her unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for CF patients drives her work, as she continuously strives to make impactful contributions to CF research and advance patient care.
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Jafar Hasbullah, PhD
Clinical Research Associate
(He/Him/His)
Jafar Hasbullah, PhD has a passion for ethics and policies that govern human welfare. His PhD research specialized in the critical field of pharmacogenetics and adverse drug reactions. At BTRG, he contributes his expertise to the ethics and regulatory department, overseeing multiple concurrent clinical trials and grant-funded patient research.
Amy Ho, RN
Clinical Research Ethics Coordinator
(She/Her/Hers)
Amy is responsible for ethics maintenance activities in BTRG. She has working experience in pharmaceutical, nutritional and food industries mainly in Medical Affairs and Clinical Research, Regulatory and Quality roles. Amy is a Registered Nurse in Ontario and Hong Kong.
Badri Soltani, MD
Clinical Research Coordinator
(She/Her/Hers)
Badri Soltani is a dedicated Clinical Research Coordinator. She joined the BTRG team at St. Paul's Hospital in 2021. Her involvement has been crucial in significant project successes, especially a notable multi-center US-based study where the team ranked first in Canada and fifth in North America.
Aside from her current role, Badri is a physician from her home country, now pursuing her medical license in Canada. Her contributions to patient-focused research and commitment to international clinical trial standards showcase her dedication to healthcare and global well-being.
Srishti Gosain, MSc
Clinical Research Coordinator
(She/Her/Hers)
Srishti Gosain is a dynamic Clinical Research Coordinator at the Black Tusk Research Group. With a Master of Science in Biotechnology and a robust 4-year tenure at a leading Clinical Research Organization and Biopharmaceutical firm, she's an indispensable force within our ranks. Srishti's expertise notably encompasses pharmacovigilance, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to safeguarding healthcare standards. In her previous role as a Research Scientist at a global pharmaceutical and vaccine powerhouse in India, she was an unrelenting advocate for patient-centric research and international clinical trial excellence.
Yasaman Ghazi, MSc
Clinical Research Coordinator
(She/Her/Hers)
Yasaman, a research coordinator with extensive experience since 2016, brings a multidisciplinary background in public health and nutrition. Her nuanced understanding of lifestyle, diet, and health outcomes informs her meticulous approach to study design and data analysis. Currently employed at BTRG as a clinic research coordinator, Yasaman is driven by her passion for healthcare and aims to make a meaningful impact in the field.
Hilda Li, BBA
Human Resources Manager
(She/Her/Hers)
Hilda is an accomplished HR professional with a diverse industry background. With extensive experience in HR Business Partnering, Hilda has a proven track record of success. She excels in improving operations, solving complex problems, and utilizing data and analytics to drive strategic HR initiatives. Hilda is committed to implementing effective HR policies and procedures and has a talent for building strong relationships with decision-makers, customers, and team members. Her expertise includes HR policies, employee relations, training development, payroll and vendor relations. Hilda is dedicated to creating a positive work environment and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
Afiyah Athahurahman, BA
Finance Supervisor
(She/Her/Hers)
Afiyah has a background in Business Management, with a specialization in Accounting. She is passionate about studying finance and accounting to enhance financial strategies and promote organizational growth. Currently, Afiyah works as a Clinical Finance Coordinator at BTRG. In this role, she diligently carries out financial tasks to ensure the smooth functioning of our financial operations.