OUR TEAM
The CCRS team is comprised of highly experienced professionals with consulting expertise across a broad range of functional areas including healthcare, industry and academia. With over 50 years of combined experience and a rich network of resources, CCRS is well-positioned to provide innovative solutions and streamline research operations and collaborations.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Patricia A. Winger
Founder & President
Patty Winger is the Founder and President of Collaborative Clinical Research Solutions, Inc. With over 25 years of experience in clinical research operations and network management, Patty has successfully led numerous academic, industry and healthcare systems as they navigate the complexities of multi-institutional research collaborations and streamlining operational processes.
In her previous roles, Patty served as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas; Vice President of Business Integration at Sarah Cannon Research Institute; and Vice President of Research Operations at US Oncology. During her executive tenure, she was responsible for driving innovative clinical solutions, refining core operational processes, promoting business integration and developing novel strategies focused on cutting edge clinical operations and efficiencies.
Carla Kantara, PhD, MBA
Vice President for Business Operations & Development
Dr. Carla Kantara is the Vice President for Business Operations and Development at Collaborative Clinical Research Solutions, Inc. With over 15 years of experience in the fields of biotechnologies, drug development, digital health innovations and business development , Dr. Kantara is responsible for developing strategic partnerships/alliances with academic, pharmaceutical/CRO, industry, life sciences and healthcare partners. In her role, Dr. Kantara evaluates business growth opportunities and devises strategies to expand the company's and its clients business portfolios.
Dr. Kantara is the former Director of Health Innovations-Digital Health at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMBHealth) and was responsible for developing new health-related technologies and forging strategic partnerships to promote the commercialization of health innovations. Dr. Kantara was also responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of the Virtual Health Network, a UT System telehealth
initiative established to create a unified healthcare enterprise across TX. Prior to that role, Dr. Kantara directed the Cancer Stem Cell and Radiation research division for Chrysalis BioTherapeutics, Inc., where she provided expertise for research operations, R&D strategic planning and global business development processes in an effort to promote the commercialization of novel therapeutics capable of mitigating nuclear and cancer therapy radiation damage.
Dr. Kantara earned degrees in Mathematics and Biology with a minor in Chemistry as well as a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus in Management of Technologies and Leadership. Dr. Kantara also holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship with a focus in drug development and health innovations.
Holly Powers, JD
General Counsel
Holly Powers is the General Counsel for Collaborative Clinical Research Solutions, Inc. and a Shareholder at Jameson & Powers, P.C. With over 30 years of experience in the legal field, she holds a broad range of expertise as outside general counsel, including contracts used in clinical research, formation and operation of clinical trial networks, and business contract negotiations and closings.
Her clients include Phase I and Phase II research sites performing clinical drug trials, small and medium-sized pharmaceutical sponsors in all phases of clinical trials, and independent physician researchers. She has a strong understanding of regulatory issues and familiarity with forming, operating, and interacting with institutional review boards, scientific review boards, and other corporate boards and committees.
Holly also serves as legal counsel for Mary Crowley Cancer Research Centers, Smiley Dental (located in Walmart) Jack in the Box, and the former Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas.
Neera Bhansali, PhD
Biomedical Informatics and Data Warehousing
Dr. Neera Bhansali is a Biomedical Informatics consultant specialist for Collaborative Clinical Research Solutions, Inc. With over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, strategic alignment, data governance, data warehousing and health information management, Dr. Bhansali is responsible for providing the CCRS team with bioinformatics, data warehousing and biomedical research support to streamline clinical trial operations for its extensive client portfolio.
Dr. Bhansali is the current Executive Director for Biomedical Informatics for the Integrated Biostatistics and Data Management Center in the Department of Biostatistics and the previous Faculty Director for Health Informatics and Management Systems at the Florida International University. Prior to that role, Dr. Bhansali served as the Head of Informatics at The Statewide Clinical Trials Network of Texas (CTNeT) and the Director of Data Quality and Standards, at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida.