Executive Management Team
Alice A. Jackson, R.N.
Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder, Lifetree Clinical Research®
With 20 years of clinical research experience and a comprehensive understanding of pharmaceutical formulation, Ms Jackson has applied her RN practice and clinical research development towards establishing herself as a leader in the international biopharmaceutical development industry.
Ms. Jackson has actively directed and executed over 500 Phase I-III research protocols. Ms. Jackson has combined her leadership and clinical talents to excel in the professional realm of clinical trial research focused primarily in analgesia. Her broad experience encompasses every aspect of the clinical research process. She advanced from Study Coordination and Project Management at a small site in Salt Lake City to become Senior Director of Clinical Site Operations for a large out-of state CRO. While Senior Director, Ms. Jackson contributed significantly to the developed of the acute post-operative bunionectomy model. Her contributions to the post-operative bunionectomy model are now recognized worldwide as the standard for acute pain drug development.
In 2003, Ms. Jackson joined forces with Lynn R. Webster, MD to found Lifetree Clinical Research®. As President and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Jackson has directed Lifetree through impressive expansions, earning the company a spot on Utah Business Magazine’s Fast 50, highlighting Lifetree as one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Utah along with a selection by Inc. magazine as one of the nation’s top 5,000 fastest growing companies. Through extraordinary leadership, Ms Jackson has established Lifetree as the most highly-respected clinical research organization in the Mountain West Region.
Ms. Jackson’s accolades continue as she has been included in the distinguished list of Utah Business Magazine’s ’30 Women to Watch’, an honor highlighting her dynamic direction and passion towards her job and Lifetree Clinical Research as a whole. Ms Jackson was President of the Salt Lake City Chapter of ACRP in 2004, growing the chapter from infancy. She facilitated top regulatory and FDA speakers to educate other research professional within the community. Recently, Ms Jackson was asked to serve on the Utah Technology Council’s Life Science Advisory Council. Ms Jackson is also a member of the American Pain Society, American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
Ms. Jackson’s uncompromising drive for excellence and quality research will undoubtedly promise to build Lifetree’s propensity in forging new frontiers within the fast paced international biopharmaceutical industry. Showing perseverance, tenacity, and dedicated business acumen Ms. Jackson is a proven leader, guiding Lifetree Clinical Research.
Lynn R. Webster, MD, FACPM, FASAM
Medical Director and Founder, Lifetree Clinical Research® & Pain Clinic
Director-At-Large for the American Academy of Pain Medicine
Dr. Lynn Webster is co-founder and chief medical director of Lifetree Clinical Research®. His research interests are diverse. He is keenly interested in working with industry to develop safer and more effective therapies for chronic pain and addiction. He is a leading researcher in exploring the relationship of medications and sleep, with particular interest in analgesic-induced sleep-disordered breathing.
Dr. Webster is board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine and is also certified in addiction medicine. He earned his doctorate of medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his residency in the University of Utah Medical Center’s department of anesthesiology.
He lectures extensively on the subject of preventing opioid abuse and criminal diversion in chronic pain patients, and has authored numerous scientific abstracts, journal articles, textbook chapters, and a book entitled Avoiding Opioid Abuse While Managing Pain: A Guide for Practitioners. This book was written for clinicians as a guide to sort out the clinical, regulatory, and ethical issues associated with the prescribing of opioid analgesics. It includes step-by-step protocols for assessing patients for the risk of opioid abuse as well as for legally protecting the opioid prescriber. Dr. Webster is co-editor of Pain Medicine's section on opioids, substance abuse, and addiction and serves as a reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed journals. He was the Interventional Therapies section editor for Practical Pain Management for 2006 and 2007.
Dr. Webster co-founded LifeSource, a non-profit foundation established in 2006 to educate physicians, patients and communities on health issues (with an emphasis on pain-related, scientific and social issues), as well as to fund and conduct research to discover new solutions and hope for improved life. LifeSource’s first project is entitled “Zero Unintentional Deaths." The campaign was developed to educate physicians, chronic pain sufferers and all communities about the increasingly serious issue of unintentional overdose deaths relating to methadone and other prescription medications, and it aims to eliminate unintentional overdoses from prescribed methadone. His medical expertise has contributed to national news stories addressing the dangers of methadone and other prescription medications, including ABC News’ 20/20 program on Friday, September 22, 2006, and Court TV’s Catherine Crier Live on Wednesday, September 27, 2006.
Dr. Webster is currently on the board of directors for the American Academy of Pain Medicine and was instrumental in launching the Utah chapter. This organization seeks to achieve high medical standards, improve access to pain care and educate all interested parties about the many pain-related scientific and social issues.
Robert A. Medve, MD
Science and Regulatory Consultant
Dr. Medve earned his doctorate of medicine at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he completed his residency in the anesthesia department at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Medve has also completed a pain management fellowship at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo New York and served on the staff at the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.
Dr. Medve has held senior positions at Metaphore Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson and Knoll Pharmaceutical Company. He has experience in the planning and implementation of pre-clinical and clinical development programs, directing formulation development process, and serving as FDA liaison; he has also developed and managed post-marketing programs, negotiated product labeling, and developed promotional materials.
Dr. Medve has significant experience with regulatory issues related to pharmaceutical development in the US and Europe. He has filed numerous INDs, SNDAs and NDAs for new molecules, line extensions, combination products, modified-release formulations, and additional indications. He has met with FDA advisory boards and has a long history of cooperative and collegial relationships with the FDA. He has frequently served as a primary spokesperson for sponsors at FDA meetings.
Dr. Medve is also a pioneer and recognized expert in pediatric drug development.
Dr. Medve will be responsible for consulting with Lifetree Clinical Research® biopharmaceutical partners as they begin to map out their drug development plans for new pain medications. His over ten years’ hands-on experience in the development of analgesic drugs, many of which are now on the market worldwide, will be an asset to Lifetree’s clients in all stages of development.
Morgan R. Brown, CPA, MBA
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President
Lifetree Clinical Research welcomes Mr. Brown as its Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President. Mr. Brown graduated Suma Cum Laude from Utah State University with a BS in accounting and earned his MBA from the University of Utah.
Mr. Brown brings to Lifetree over 15 years of experience. As a senior manager for KPMG in Salt Lake City, Mr. Brown managed multiple audit engagements, servicing private and publicly owned clients focusing on the financial services line of business. Mr. Brown also performed extensive research of complex business, accounting, and finance issues.
Mr. Brown transitioned to the research industry with a move to NPS Pharmaceuticals. In his role as Vice President and Treasurer, he managed a large team, focusing on all aspects of accounting and finance. Mr. Brown participated in and was a critical member of the financing team for numerous financings including private and public equity offerings, convertible debt issuances, and secured financings, as well as a tender offer for the repurchase of outstanding convertible debt. In addition, Mr. Brown participated in NPS’ merger and acquisition activities. As a member of the Senior Management Team, Mr. Brown interacted with the outside Board of Directors, Audit Committee, and Compensation Committee. He also partnered with and provided day-to-day oversight of outside investment managers in the investment of approximately $300 million in cash and investment securities.
Mr. Brown is a results-driven Senior Finance Executive with extensive Leadership, Financing, and Operational experience who delivers a timely and accurate work product. Through his efforts he contributed significantly to strategic initiatives that lowered cash burn and increased performance for a Russell 200 public company. Additionally, a highly effective communicator, he is skilled in leading a large, multi-national finance and accounting team both internally and externally with the Wall Street investment community. A licensed Certified Public Accountant in Utah, Mr. Brown is Vice President of the Utah Chapter of the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and a member of the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants. With a proven track record managing all aspects of accounting and finance, Mr. Brown is a welcome asset to the Executive Management Team for Lifetree Clinical Research.
Brad Bath, PhD, PMP
Executive Director Clinical Trials Management
Dr. Bath is the Executive Director of Clinical Trials Management at Lifetree Clinical Research®. He holds a Doctorate Degree in Analytical and Physical Chemistry as well as a Professional Certification in Project Management.
Dr. Bath has 12 years of experience in drug delivery/formulation and Phase 1-4 drug development with protein and peptide therapeutics as well as small molecule. He retains the distinction of first authorship of ten scientific articles published in professional journals as well as one book chapter, and continually focuses on innovative, efficient ways to develop drugs and optimize value to our clients.
Dr. Bath served as Lead Scientist in the development of three innovative drug delivery proj, ects. He has also developed Target Product Profiles and Minimally Acceptable Product Profiles ensuring development plans were synergistic with marketing strategies in Phase 1-4. The depth of Dr. Bath’s clinical knowledge, and his talent for applying this understanding to clinical research, allows Lifetree to efficiently plan and execute complex site and CRO projects. His proven expertise in building first-rate Project Management methodologies and managing high-performing global drug development teams is leveraged at Lifetree to deliver robustly-planned, quality-driven clinical projects to our clients.
Alan L. Mueller, PhD
Executive Director Clinical Site Operations
Dr. Mueller joins Lifetree Clinical Research with 25 years of industry experience. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy from the University of Kansas, Dr. Mueller went on to receive his Doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. After spending time as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle, Dr. Mueller was a research scientist for 5 years in Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Abbott Laboratories in Abbott Park, Illinois. Dr. Mueller then spent 19 years with NPS Pharmaceuticals in Salt Lake City, Utah. As VP Drug Discovery and later VP Research and a member of the Executive Team and Operating Committee, he was responsible for all aspects of the Research Division, from early stage Drug Discovery through the completion of Phase I clinical trials. Dr. Mueller established and chaired the New Opportunities Review Committee and the Discovery Research Council, and played a key scientific and management role in establishing and transitioning various research collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners. He has also operated as an independent consultant to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, with experience in the areas of Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development. Dr. Mueller is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, American Pain Society, and the American Headache Society. Throughout his career, he has received multiple research grants, written numerous publications, abstracts, and proceedings, and presented at many symposia and workshops nationally and internationally. Dr. Mueller has also been issued eight US Patents. Lifetree Clinical Research welcomes Dr. Mueller and is fortunate to have him as a key member of our Executive Management Team.
Sean Kotrady, CCRC, CCRP
Director, Quality Control, GCP Compliance
As the Director of Quality Control and Good Clinical Practice Compliance, Ms Kotrady provides Lifetree Clinical Research ® with direction, support, and assistance in all activities regarding FDA regulations, ICH Guidelines, E6, OSHA, HIPPA Regulations and Lifetree Clinical Research ® internal SOPs, Guidelines, and Policies.
Ms Kotrady has over 19 years of clinical research experience, beginning as a medical assistant and study coordinator. After advancing to a Site Manager, Ms Kotrady provided oversight of clinical operations, quality control, and administration, ensuring compliance, safety and quality of all site operations.. . Ms Kotrady has previously worked as Quality Assurance & Clinical Team Supervisor, ensuring all investigators, coordinators, and staff members were trained and compliant with ICH/GCP, HIPAA regulations, and corporate SOPs. Included in her accomplishments were the development and accuracy completion of study-related documents, oversight of IRB submissions, and coordination and support for sponsor and monitor visits. Ms. Kotrady is a certified member of ACRP and SoCRA. She joined Lifetree Clinical Research ® in 2007 as Senior In-House Clinical Research Associate. She has been responsible for the monitoring of clinical studies conducted on site, provided support for all IRB regulatory issues and ensured company compliance of SOPs and Guidelines. Ms. Kotrady has solid knowledge of FDA Regulations, HIPAA, and IHC/GCP regulations. In addition, Ms Kotrady has performed routine and “for cause” system audits per SOPs, provided quality control for drug preparation and accountability, and performed routine audits of Investigator Site Files.
As Director of Quality Control & GCP Compliance Ms Kotrady brings comprehensive clinical research experience and an impressive background in GCP compliance.
Kevin Jessing
Vice President,
Lifetree Bioanalytical Services
Mr. Jessing joined Lifetree Clinical Research® in April 2008 as Vice President of Bioanalytical Services. Mr. Jessing has his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin.
Mr. Jessing has spent over 10 years in both contract and pharmaceutical research with an emphasis on pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, and mass spectrometry. He has established and overseen laboratory efforts within small pharmaceutical companies to address Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) properties of compounds in Discovery Phase as well as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliant bioanalytical laboratories built to manage clinical and pre-clinical sample analysis. Having spent a portion of his career in Applications and Sales, Mr. Jessing brings a deep understanding of the business process of serviced-based organizations within the biopharmaceutical industry.
In July 2007, Mr. Jessing founded Resonance Laboratories, LLC to provide a broad range of bioanalytical services to emerging pharmaceutical companies. In April 2008, Resonance Laboratories, LLC joined forces with Lifetree Clinical Research® to provide GLP and non-GLP Bioanalytical services to meet the needs of Lifetree’s expanding client base. Mr. Jessing’s background in both drug discovery and GLP bioanalysis positions him to anticipate potential bioanalytical difficulties in transitioning compounds into the clinical phase.
