PERSEVERANCE RESEARCH CENTER

Nicole is a seasoned leader in the clinical research industry, currently serving as CEO of Perseverance Research Center. With 27 years of research experience, she has a proven track record of driving successful clinical trials across diverse neurological diseases specializing in Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Traumatic Brain Injury. Her expertise in study design, leadership, regulatory compliance, and patient recruitment has been instrumental in accelerating the development of innovative therapies.

In addition to obtaining her Masters in Health Sector Management with an emphasis in Epidemiology from the WP Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, Nicole received a Masters and PhD in Clinical Research from Texila American University. She has always been passionate about advancing patient care through rigorous clinical research practices and many of her research findings have been published in various medical journals. Finding a cure or a therapy that can ameliorate the lives of individuals who suffer from neurological disorders is Nicole's truest passion. Her PhD thesis focused on the importance of proper nutrition, decreasing inflammation and repairing cellular damage in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and was published in the Journal of Clinical Trials

Laura Christians is an accomplished clinical research professional and operational leader with 20 years of experience successfully implementing and overseeing Phase II–IV clinical trials across diverse therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, dermatology, and podiatry. Her extensive neurological research experience includes Alzheimer's disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), stroke, and pediatric migraine.

A graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Laura developed an early passion for clinical pharmacology and advancing innovative medical treatments. Throughout her career, she has established a proven track record of successfully operationalizing clinical trials, bringing extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, patient recruitment and retention, clinical research site operations, and strategic study execution.

As Co-Founder and Vice President of Operations at Perseverance Research Center, Laura oversees the complete clinical trial lifecycle, from feasibility and study start-up through implementation, regulatory oversight, and study closeout. Her comprehensive understanding of federal and international regulatory requirements, ICH-GCP guidelines, and sponsor expectations ensures efficient, compliant operations while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety, data integrity, and protocol adherence.

Laura also specializes in developing protocol-specific source documentation to support accurate, comprehensive clinical data collection and is a certified clinical outcomes rater experienced in administering standardized assessment scales. Her ability to translate complex study requirements into effective site-level execution fosters operational excellence and successful collaborations with sponsors and Contract Research Organizations (CROs).

Beyond her operational expertise, Laura is deeply committed to exceptional, compassionate, patient-centered care. Her greatest passion lies in improving the lives of patients and their families while contributing to the discovery of new treatments, advancing potential cures, and accelerating the development of novel and innovative therapies. Her dedication to scientific excellence, operational integrity, and meaningful patient outcomes makes her an invaluable leader at Perseverance Research Center.

Allan Block, MD, has practiced neurology in Scottsdale since 1998 and joined PRC in 2017. He acts as PRC’s Medical Director and lead Principal Investigator, where he oversees PRC’s neurological research activities and conducts research in an objective and unbiased manner in compliance with policies and regulations.

Dr. Block is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in neurology. He earned his medical degree at Creighton University School of Medicine. He completed his neurology residency and neurophysiology fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix Arizona.

Dr. Block has served as a principal or co-investigator for more than 70 clinical studies and has been PI on many investigational devices and drugs that have made it to market.

Andrea Kessler is a dedicated nurse practitioner with over 24 years of diverse healthcare experience across various clinical settings. She is passionate about advancing medical research and serves as a sub-investigator and Principal Investigator for PRC, focusing on study infusions, pediatric migraine study assessments, as well as an EDSS assessor for patients undergoing neurological studies. Her expertise in nursing and compassionate care has been a tremendous asset to PRC.

Dr. Mary Kathryn “Kay” Wing is a highly respected physical therapist, clinical researcher, and educator with more than 50 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation, patient care, and medical research. She brings extensive clinical expertise in neurological disorders, stroke recovery, movement disorders, and functional outcome assessments.

Dr. Wing earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northern Arizona University and is a board-certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Since 2019, she has been an integral part of Perseverance Research Center (PRC), serving as a Principal Investigator, Sub-Investigator, and Clinical Outcomes Assessor and Rater. She specializes in neurological and functional assessments, including the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Medical Research Council (MRC) Muscle Strength Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and various physical and occupational therapy outcome measures. Her extensive clinical knowledge and expertise in standardized assessments contribute to accurate, consistent, and reliable data collection throughout clinical trials.

An accomplished researcher and educator, Dr. Wing has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, presented at national professional conferences, and held prominent leadership positions, including President of the Arizona Physical Therapy Association and the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona. She also serves as adjunct faculty at Northern Arizona University.

Dr. Wing's exceptional clinical expertise, dedication to evidence-based medicine, and compassionate, patient-centered approach make her an invaluable asset to Perseverance Research Center. Her contributions to clinical research support PRC's commitment to scientific integrity, high-quality clinical assessments, patient safety, and the advancement of innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes.

Melanie Nugent, MSN, CPNP-PC, is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner who serves as both a Sub-Investigator and Principal Investigator at Perseverance Research Center (PRC). She contributes her extensive clinical expertise to the oversight and conduct of clinical trials, with a particular focus on study infusions, neurological assessments, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) evaluations in adult neurological research.

Melanie brings over a decade of specialized experience in pediatric neurology, having served at Banner Children’s Specialists Neurology in Glendale, Arizona, beginning in 2012. She currently practices at Rose Medical Pavilion and earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University. Her clinical expertise includes the evaluation and management of neurological conditions such as migraines, chronic headaches, and traumatic brain injuries.

Throughout her career, Melanie has demonstrated a strong commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care and evidence-based medicine. Her clinical knowledge, sound judgment, and individualized approach to patient care allow her to prioritize patient safety and well-being while maintaining the highest standards of clinical research.

In her investigator roles, Melanie plays an integral part in advancing PRC's research initiatives through her dedication to protocol compliance, patient safety, and clinical trial integrity. Her extensive neurological experience, commitment to scientific advancement, and genuine compassion for patients make her an invaluable asset to the Perseverance Research Center team and its mission to advance innovative treatments and improve patient outcomes.