Meet Our Team of Professionals in Phoenix

Celerion’s team is made up of professionals dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for participants. Each study team is led by a full time physician who is the Principal Investigator for the study. Our Principal Investigators have extensive experience working in the medical community.

The exceptional physicians, specialists and nurses at Celerion are focused on one commitment: to provide the highest quality care and the best quality of stay for participants.

Our participants are our partner in the clinical study process and this relationship is at the core of our approach to research and health care. If you have any other questions, please Contact Us today!

Principal Investigator

A Principal Investigator is a doctor who leads the clinical research team and, along with the other members of the research team, regularly monitors study participants’ health to determine the study’s safety and effectiveness.

Dr. Valentine, D.O. – Medical Director

Principal Investigator

Dr. Valentine serves as the Medical Director at our Phoenix site, where she leads a dynamic team of principal and sub investigators in delivering high-quality, early-phase clinical research. Board-certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), she brings a unique blend of medical expertise and business acumen to her role, along with deep personal passion for the life-saving potential of new therapies.

Before earning her medical degree, Dr. Valentine built a decade-long career in business working for CDI Corporation, an international staffing company, rising through leadership roles from recruiter into sales, into management and ending with a global strategic accounts manager position. She later completed her medical training at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Denver, Colorado, and her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Arkansas, where she served as Chief Resident.

Dr. Valentine worked as a hospitalist prior to joining Celerion, including work during the COVID-19 pandemic and is a proud breast cancer survivor. Her experience receiving trastuzumab (Herceptin) a groundbreaking HER2-targeted therapy approved in 1998 that has transformed breast cancer treatment—fuels her commitment to advancing drug development through Phase 1 trials. Trastuzumab's development not only revolutionized breast cancer care but also laid the groundwork for the current paradigm of biomarker-driven drug discovery and development.

A proud University of Kansas alumni and Midwest native, Dr. Valentine is also a passionate advocate for menopause care and cancer survivorship. When she is not driving innovation in clinical research, you will find her hiking and exploring the great outdoors.

Dr. Blazek, MD

Principal Investigator

Dr. Blazek is a board-certified OB/GYN with over twenty years of experience as a Doctor of Medicine. She is a well-respected medical professional that serves as a consultant for the Arizona Medical Board. Dr. Blazek most recently served as a Vice Chairperson for Abrazo West Campus before joining Celerion. Prior to this, she studied biology at Illinois Wesleyan University. Afterwards, Dr. Blazek was accepted to Rush Medical College to study medicine and later served as Administrative Chief Resident for Indiana University during residency. Dr. Blazek is a current member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been published multiple times for her expertise in her field. In her free time, Dr. Blazek enjoys golfing, gardening, cheering on Chicago sports teams, and spending quality time with her twin girls, friends, and family.  

Dr. Bruce, DO

Principal Investigator

Dr. Bruce is an established physician and research professional that has conducted dozens of clinical trials for over twenty-three years. He studied biology at the University of Arizona and afterwards was accepted into the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, California. Dr. Bruce finished his residency in family practice at Mesa General Hospital in Arizona. After a decade of practice in family medicine, he began working as a Sub Investigator and later Principal Investigator at a local research facility before joining Celerion. Dr. Bruce has several professional certifications and licenses including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Arizona DEA License and certified by the American College of Osteopathic Physicians Board Drug Enforcement Administration. He is also a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American Academy of Family Practice, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association. Dr. Bruce is a father of two and enjoys traveling and spending time building hobby planes with his kids.

Dr. Anderson, M.D.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Anderson, M.D., is a highly regarded healthcare provider that also worked concurrently in clinical research for over 20 years. He most recently worked as a Lead Clinician and Urgent Care Provider at Cigna Healthcare of Arizona. Dr. Anderson worked conducting and overseeing phase 1, 2 and phase 3 clinical studies at multiple Clinical Research Organizations including MDS Pharma Services. Dr. Anderson began his career as a nutrition student at the University of Arizona and later was accepted into the doctorate program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Anderson completed his residency in family practice at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn in Scottsdale, AZ and transitioned into a Principal Investigator role a few years later. Dr. Anderson enjoys golfing, family time and is a world traveler that has visited over forty countries.

Study Participant Representative
Study Participant Representatives assist with the participant registration process and pre-screening for studies prior to the screening appointment. This team confirms screening appointments and contacts participants regarding new study opportunities.

Admissions Specialist
Admissions Specialists coordinate the screening functions of each study. They work with the Principal Investigator to help ensure participants are qualified to participate based on their medical history and screening results. A member of the Admissions team welcome participants at each screening visit and are the main contact until study check-in.

Screening Conduct Associate
At the screening visit Screening Conduct Associates complete the informed consent process and other screening assessments including measuring height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse as well as taking biological samples such as blood and urine. A Screening Conduct Associate will also complete the electrocardiogram (ECG), if required, during screening.

Study Manager
A Study Manager is the main point of contact for participants throughout a study. Study Managers welcome all participants at check-in when the study orientation is given, and are responsible for organizing the conduct throughout the study.

Clinical Research Nurse
Our team of nurses work closely with the Principal Investigators to monitor and ensure the safety and well-being of participants. Our nurses perform vital signs, electrocardiograms (ECG), and other study procedures as required.

Clinical Conduct Associate
Clinical Conduct Associates monitor study participant activities and respond to their needs. These associates record study data and collect biological samples such as blood and urine. Additionally, their duties include taking vital signs, monitoring meals, performing electrocardiograms (ECG), and conducting height and weight measurements.