Research Board

Ismail A. Shalaby, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Shalaby obtained his M.D. from The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from The University of Chicago. Prior to becoming CEO of NEMA Research, he held several positions at Pfizer Inc. in Drug Discovery Research and Development. Dr. Shalaby was co-discoverer of compounds in and team coordinator of Stroke, Head Trauma, and Alzheimer’s Disease projects. He is widely published in the Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Ophthalmology fields. He is an editor of the journal Clinical Researcher, and is an ad hoc reviewer for several other journals. He is on the Speakers Bureaus and Advisory Boards of several Pharmaceutical and Medical Device companies. Aside from his research and executive duties, Dr. Shalaby maintains an active ophthalmology practice in Baltimore, Maryland, and is Clinical Instructor at The Friedenwald Eye Institute, an affiliate Institution of The University of Maryland School of Medicine and Health Systems, and is on the Clinical Staff at Greater Baltimore Medical Center Ophthalmology Department, an affiliate of The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins.

Joseph Pergolizzi Jr, M.D., Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Pergolizzi holds a BS in Physical Chemistry from St. Johns University and an M.D. with highest honors from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Anesthesia at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and currently holds a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Joseph Pergolizzi, Jr., MD is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a partner in the Naples Anesthesia and Pain Associates in Southwest Florida. Dr. Pergolizzi was the Director of Business Development and Financial Affairs for The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Clinical Trials Unit. Dr. Pergolizzi actively managed over $4 million dollars in clinical trials annually and had been directly responsible for the establishment of Master Clinical Trial Agreements between Johns Hopkins and PHARMA. During his tenure, he has played a central leadership role in transforming the clinical research process university wide. Dr. Pergolizzi has had numerous scientific papers and projects either presented or published. He is an internationally recognized lecturer and has been an invited CME lecturer at numerous national meetings. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Clinical Researcher, published by Remedica, and is an editor of The International Journal of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care. He is on the board of directors of the Coalition for Pain Education (COPE) and is a co-founder of the International Pain Research and Treatment Foundation. He has served as a healthcare consultant to LEA ARCO, DLJ, Polaris Ventures, Polytechnos, Ashford Capital and Bank of America to assist in assessment of various medical and biotech related companies.

Raphaelle Amen,Co-Founder & Director of Financial Affairs

Ms. Amen is a Co-Founder of NEMA Research and the Director of Financial Affairs. She possess over 20 years of business experience, primarily focusing in the areas of institutional investment, contracts and finance. Ms. Amen is responsible for network site finances and directs the daily management of the business offices. She has interests women’s health related research and pain medicine. Ms. Amen is member of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Pain (NIP).

Charlotte Richmond, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Research

Dr. Richmond obtained her PhD from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees from California State University, Fresno. Prior to working with NEMA Research, Inc., Dr. Richmond was the Director of Anesthesia Research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, FL. Dr. Richmond is also the CEO of Biomedical Research & Education Foundation and has conducted clinical trials for numerous pharmaceutical and investigational device companies. She has worked as an Assistant Professor at Florida International University, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and California State University, Bakersfield.

Joseph Pergolizzi Sr., Esq., Director, Legal and Contract Division

Mr. Pergolizzi is an Attorney and Counselor at Law and admitted to practice in US Court of Patent Appeals. He is admitted to practice in New York and has associates in California, Maryland, and Florida. Mr. Pergolizzi is admitted to many Federal courts and he has numerous years of experience in Contracts, Taxes, Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks.