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Principal Investigators at ECN Clinical

Physician Leadership Driving Research Excellence

120+ board-certified investigators. 13 named Medical Directors. Therapeutic depth, not generalist coverage.

MEET OUR

Medical Directors

ECN's physician investigators are active research leaders who bring board-certified clinical expertise, deep therapeutic knowledge, and direct patient relationships to every study they lead. Across 13 named Medical Directors and 120+ clinical trial investigators nationwide, ECN delivers the investigator engagement that sponsors value most: physicians who lead with purpose, not just sign off on protocols.

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Amit Parekh,

M.D.

  • Orthopedics
Hampole Hemanth (Gulf Coast)

Hemanth Hempole

MD

  • Nephrologist

Jason Siegel

MD

  • Neurology
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Jeffrey Fine

MD

  • Gastroenterologist

Kristian Sanchack

MD

  • Family Medicine, Obesity Medicine
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Muhammad Salim,

MD

  • Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Pulmonary, Sleep Medicine
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Navid Ezra

MD, FAAD

  • Dermatologist
Rajendra Pandya

Rajendra Pandya

MD

  • Endocrinology, Internal Medicine
Cherlin Richard (San Jose)

Richard Cherlin

MD

  • Endocrinology, Internal Medicine
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Roger Kornu,

M.D.

  • Rheumatologist
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Vikas Sayal

MD

  • Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Sleep Medicine

Yogesh Paliwal

MD

  • Cardiologist, Internal Medicine
Benzar Zinoviy (Oasis)

Zinoviy Benzar

MD

  • Psychiatry

PI SPOTLIGHT

Featured Investigator

Todd Dreitzler, M.D.

Todd Dreitzler

  • M.D
  • Scottsdale Clinical Trials, Arizona
14
Studies
30
Yrs Exp.
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Career Story

Board-certified Family Medicine physician with 30 years in healthcare and a background in MSK medicine, physical therapy, and chiropractic. I was drawn to clinical research for a new professional challenge and the opportunity to contribute to the advancement and future of medicine. It combines what I value most: patient care, strong teams, and helping advance new treatments.

Research Focus

I enjoy Phase 2-3 research across diverse therapeutic areas, with particular interest in dermatology and pain-related studies. I am especially drawn to studies with the potential to produce meaningful clinical improvements for patients and contribute to important advances in medicine.

Patient Philosophy or Quote

For me, clinical research is about giving patients the opportunity to be part of something that may improve their own care while helping shape better treatment options for the future.”

Notable Research Contribution

I am proud to have contributed to 70+ Phase 2-3 clinical trials across diverse therapeutic areas, serving as Principal Investigator on the majority. I have also been part of Scottsdale Clinical Trials since its startup and early growth, helping develop it with a strong team into a busy, expanding research site with a strong study portfolio.

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Meet the Principal Investigators Behind ECN's
Clinical Excellence.

ECN's physician investigator network spans 25+ sites and 16 therapeutic areas nationwide. Each investigator brings board-certified expertise, established patient relationships, and a proven track record in clinical research. Search by specialty, location, or therapeutic area to find the right collaborative fit.

Adrienne DeSantis King
PhD, BCBA-D
  • Family Medicine

Diabetes, Metabolic Disorders, Hypertension

  • Green Leaf Clinical Trials, Florida
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Akash Nahb
MD
  • Gastroenterologist, Internal Medicine

Fatty Liver Disease, Chrons, IDS/IBS

  • Sun City Clinical Research, Arizona
Alan Chu
MD
  • ENT

Rhinosinusitis, OSA, Otitis Externa

  • Tropical Clinical Trials, Florida
Alan Shackelford
Alan Shackleford
MD
  • Internal Medicine

Diabetes, Metabolic Disorders, Hypertension

  • Centennial Clinical Trials, Colorado
Albert Kim
DPM
  • Podiatry

Bunionectomy, Ingrown Toe Nails, Diabetic Foot Care

  • Pasadena Clinical Trials, California
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Alton Walters
MD, MS
  • Internal Medicine

Diabetes, Metabolic Disorders, Hypertension

  • Infinity Clinical Trials, California, Oasis Clinical Research, Nevada
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Amanda Podovich
NP
  • Psychiatry

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Anxiety Disorders, Neurodevelopmental & Disruptive Behavior Disorders

  • Oasis Clinical Research, Nevada
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Americo Simonini
MD
  • Cardiologist, Internal Medicine

ASCVD, Hypertension, Heart Failure

  • Northridge Clinical Trials, California
Amit Paliwal
Amit Paliwal
MD, MBA, MPH
  • Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine

Diabetes, Metabolic Disorders, Hypertension

  • Empire Clinical Research, California
Amit Patel
MD
  • Pain Management

Osteoarthritis, Chronic Low Back Pain, Migraines

  • Scottsdale Clinical Trials, Arizona
Anjani Pandya (Gulf Coast)
Anjani Pandya-Pattni
DO
  • Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine

Systemic Infections, Respiratory Tract Infections, Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

  • Gulf Coast Clinical Research, Texas
Ari McGill
Ari Magill
MD
  • Neurology

Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis

  • East Valley Clinical Research, Arizona, Scottsdale Clinical Trials, Arizona

JOIN OUR NETWORK

The Infrastructure to Lead. The Freedom to Focus on Science.

ECN gives physician investigators everything they need to run exceptional research, while keeping the focus exactly where it belongs: on patients and science.

Operational Support

Our embedded research teams handle regulatory submissions, contracting, budgeting, and site management. You lead the science. ECN handles the rest.

Patient Access

Tap into ECN's established patient databases, community outreach infrastructure, and AI-driven recruitment across 25+ sites nationwide. Strong enrollment starts before the protocol is even activated.

Network Exposure

As part of ECN's physician investigator network, your research reach extends far beyond a single site. National sponsors, diverse therapeutic areas, and a growing portfolio of Phase I through Phase IV studies.

Peer Community

Work alongside 120+ board-certified investigators and 13 named Medical Directors across the country. Share insights, collaborate on protocols, and be part of a network that takes physician leadership seriously.

Become an Investigator

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Physicians Ask Before Joining ECN

Explore answers to the questions we hear most from sponsors, patients, investigators, and research partners.

ECN provides the full operational infrastructure to support your research, including regulatory support, patient recruitment, centralized contracting, and dedicated research coordinators at your site. Your role is to lead the science and care for your patients. ECN handles everything around it.

ECN investigators lead Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials across 16 therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, metabolic, CNS and mental health, vaccines, respiratory, dermatology, and more. Studies range from early phase exploratory trials to large scale outcomes studies with leading global sponsors and CROs. 

Reach out through our Contact Us page or speak directly with our PI Relations team. We will discuss your therapeutic focus, site capabilities, and patient population to determine the best fit within our network. From there our team guides you through every step of the onboarding process.