Oculus Research

  Erik Aune is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Business Development for Oculus Research. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After completing flight school and receiving his Commercial Pilot License, he worked as a flight instructor before moving on to a career in Optometry. He received training and worked in nearly all facets of the Optometry business including medical billing, collections, lens lab, contacts, patient care, and sales. He also received a Paraoptometric Certification (CPO)  from the American Optometric Association, HIPAA training, and is CPR/BLS certified. In addition to his experience in Optometry, his clinical research experience includes research coordinator duties, study startup, IP management and storage, IP dosing/unmasked duties, patient recruitment, regulatory submissions, and current GCP training. 

   Donna McElcar, MS, RQAP-GCP is President and Lead Consultant of Clear CQA LLC. Clear CQA provides clear quality assurance advice and services to clinical research providers within the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. Donna has over 20 years of experience in the quality assurance field. She has an extensive and broad background working within small and mid-size CROs, a software vendor, a medical device Sponsor company and as an independent consultant. She provides consulting services by performing gap analysis, QMS infrastructure design and redesign, and inspection preparation activities. She is also skilled at conducting audits of a variety of vendors, investigator sites, computerized systems and internal process/systems. She has a Master of Science in Clinical Research and has been an active member of the SQA and the NCCSQA since 2002. She has been a Registered Quality Assurance Professional in Good Clinical Practices (RQAP-GCP) since 2008.  

  Jennifer Newsome is the Clinical Research Manager for Oculus Research. She began her career with a degree in Medical Office Administration, leading to her immediate focus in Ophthalmology. She also completed the Ophthalmic Assistant certification process (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Heath Personnel in Ophthalmology.  Since 2005, she has worked with various Retina and Glaucoma specialists, Ophthalmologists and Optometrists, assisting in direct patient care for the treatment of multiple eye diseases, laser therapy, and ophthalmic surgery. Following her ten years of ophthalmic clinical experience, Jennifer refocused on clinical research. Her passion for research stems from her deep desire to aid in the advancement of new treatments that will improve the quality of people’s lives. Jennifer has received current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training, is a Certified Phlebotomist, International Air Transport Association (IATA) trained, and is CPR certified. 

  Kristi Lang is a Clinical Research Coordinator for Oculus Research. She is a graduate of East Carolina University where she received a degree in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health. From when she was young, she has always wanted to help people by improving their health and well-being. While completing her degree, she gained an interest in research and knew she wanted to start her career in it.  Kristi has received current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and HIPAA training and has BLS, IATA, and Phlebotomy certifications. 

   Jannica Barton is a Clinical Research Coordinator for Oculus Research. She completed her Clinical Trials Research Core Competencies Certificate from Durham Tech. Jannica’s love for research started when she was a research assistant while earning her Master of Science degree from Appalachian State University. What she likes most about research is being part of a process that has the potential to have a positive impact on people’s everyday lives. Jannica has completed Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and HIPAA training. She is BLS certified and has passed the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Entry Level Knowledge Assessment (ELKA). 

 Okwuosha Ijeoma is a Clinical Research Coordinator for Oculus Research. He is a graduate of the Durham Technical Community College Clinical Trials Research Associates program where he received an AAS degree and certificates in core competencies and advanced topics. Before studying Clinical Trials research he studied Political Science and Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Okwuosha has GCP and HIPAA certifications.   

    Lona Loudon is an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator and phlebotomist for Oculus Research. Her interest in science and research began at an early age. She has a BS in Health Promotion and Education and a Master of Public Health.  Lona has also completed Good Clinical Practice and HIPPA training. She is a nationally certified phlebotomist. She has years of experience with research studies that assess social and behavioral change. She is excited to learn research from a clinical perspective at Oculus Research.  

 Brianca Farmer is an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator and Phlebotomist for Oculus Research. Her medical experience began in the field of phlebotomy, which led her to the lab of a clinical research site and introduced her to wonderful opportunities in clinical research. She has assisted on numerous studies and has been the lead coordinator on many as well. Brianca has received thorough on the job training over the years and is GCP, HIPAA, and IATA certified.  Brianca has developed a passion for, and is committed to, providing quality patient care that will result in the improvement of health for members of our community.