Our team of seasoned industry veterans can anticipate your study challenges and proactively seek solutions.
Joy Toro, MA, MSW, PMP, has worked in clinical operations management for 15 years and has experience in clinical strategy, team facilitation, field monitoring and training for international project work in resource-limited settings. Most recently, Toro served as the Associate Director of Business Operations at IQVIA Biotech, where she was responsible for a large systems migration and process improvement.
Prior to that position, Ms. Toro was Associate Director of Clinical Operations for North America at Novella Clinical, working with Clinical Research Associates (CRAs), CRA managers and project management teams to ensure delivery of quality services, standardization, and performance across company projects. Ms. Toro’s experience also includes project manager roles at ICON Clinical Research and global non-profit, with field experience in multi-country trials in Asia and Latin America.
Ms. Toro holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and Romance languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), a master’s degree in Trans-Atlantic studies, a master’s degree in social work from North Carolina State University, and a graduate certificate in core public health concepts from UNC-CH.
Abraham Van Wyk brings more than 15 years of clinical research industry experience to his role as Total Trials’s Chief Financial Officer. Abraham previously served as the CEO of Triclinium Clinical Development (TCD) Global, where he executed the company’s acquisition by Total Trials.
While managing the TCD Group of companies, van Wyk led the M&A strategy, which included the acquisition of HeXor (now Value in Research), a health economics and outcomes research company, as well as being the co-founder of an eClinical solutions company (now NuvoteQ) and establishing TCD Global as a full-service CRO specializing in infectious disease and vaccine research across sub-Saharan Africa. The TCD Group of companies was sold to EOH (JSE Listed Group). Abraham previously held the position of Managing Director of Africa at Cytespace Research (acquired by Premier Research). Prior to that position, Abraham established the East African region for Quintiles (now IQVIA) and managed the East and West African operations as Regional Head. Abraham serves on the board of several biotech, medical device and medtech companies, including AMR-focused Bugworks; Burl Concepts, a medical device company; and NuvoteQ, an eClinical solutions company, among others. Abraham holds a bachelor’s degree in medical sciences and a bachelor’s (Hons) degree in cellular biology from the University of Pretoria, in addition to an MBA from the University of South Africa.
Leonard Herbst has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and contract research organization industries. As Chief Clinical Affairs Officer at Total Trials Inc, he provides executive leadership for the company’s global Clinical Affairs organization and is responsible for Clinical Operations, Project Management, Site Management, Biostatistics, Data Sciences, and Trial Master File (TMF) Operations.
Leonard began his career in clinical data management and advanced through progressively senior leadership positions in both pharmaceutical and CRO environments. Prior to joining Total Trials, he served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Triclinium Clinical Development (TCD), where he led global operational activities and supported the company’s strategic growth prior to its acquisition by FHI Clinical. Throughout his career, Leonard has managed global clinical trial portfolios across Phase I–III and observational studies, with extensive experience in operational leadership, portfolio governance, workforce development, quality systems, and clinical delivery across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.
In his current role, Leonard focuses on advancing operational excellence, organizational scalability, and client success while supporting the delivery of high-quality clinical research programs worldwide.
Areas of expertise: Site Management, Clinical Operations, Patient Recruitment and Retention Service Area Expansion, Vendor Management, and Client Engagement and Relationships
Melynda Geurts has over 25 years of experience working at the executive leadership level to facilitate strategic growth within the clinical research market as well as to cultivate a working environment that promoted internal growth. She has been integral in guiding teams in process implementation, clinical development, site management, patient education, and clinical trial enrollment strategies. Melynda served on the executive leadership team of Rheumatology Research International (RRI), a rheumatology focused affiliated Site Management Organization. In this role, Melynda provided the required site support to ensure that all contracted sites met their enrollment targets on time. Melynda also led the creation of D. Anderson & Company (DAC), one of the first centralized, global patient recruitment and retention providers where she was a recognized subject matter expert and a contributor to three published books on the topic. Under her leadership, DAC became a forerunner in the patient recruitment and retention market successfully deploying campaigns across all therapeutic areas, 100+ indications, and 100+ countries. Melynda also demonstrated strong clinical operations oversight in supporting several pharmaceutical and medical device companies to achieve NDA approvals for the studies DAC supported. Melynda continued her patient recruitment and retention efforts through the acquisition of DAC by Imperial Clinical Research Services (ICRS) where she became part of the executive leadership team and provided insight on future M&A activities in the recruitment and retention space.
Melynda also developed expertise in full-CRO services where she serves as the Chief Operating Officer for TOTAL Diversity Clinical Trial Management. In this role, Melynda’s leadership contributions have maintained the CRO’s enrollment goal of meeting 100% of total enrollment for all studies managed. Melynda has established the long-term, positive site and vendor relationships, which are integral to the overall success of studies managed. Through Melynda’s client focus and relationship activities, she has secured an 85%+ repeat client rate. Melynda received her MS with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from Texas Woman’s University at Dallas, and his BBA in Marketing from Texas Woman’s University at Denton.
Anine Ungerer is the Global Head of Human Resources, Contracts & Legal Affairs at Total Trials. An admitted non-practicing attorney and MBA graduate, she brings over ten years of experience in the clinical research industry. Anine leads global people and business support functions, driving compliance and strategic growth across the organization.
From early development to global execution, our Client Solutions team is committed to helping sponsors design smarter studies, overcome operational challenges and accelerate clinical development. We’d be delighted to explore how we can support your next programme.
Senior life sciences commercial executive with 25+ years of experience driving growth, building strategic partnerships, and expanding market presence across global clinical research organizations. Proven success leading business development, sales and marketing, and client solutions across Phase I–IV clinical development, with a strong track record of strengthening client relationships and delivering results. Recognized for combining strategic vision, operational insight, and cross-functional leadership to accelerate growth and position organizations for long-term success.
Jeremy Dott is an accomplished business development and revenue strategy leader with extensive experience driving growth across client-focused organizations. Currently serving as a Director, Client Solutions, he leads initiatives that bridge sales, consulting, and delivery to maximize client value and accelerate revenue performance. Jeremy’s expertise spans strategic account growth, pipeline development, and enterprise partnerships. He has a proven ability to identify emerging opportunities, design effective go-to-market strategies, and close high-impact deals. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and innovation, enabling cross-functional teams to perform at their highest level. Passionate about client success, Jeremy brings a consultative approach to business development—ensuring that every engagement delivers both immediate results and long-term value.
Michelle brings over a decade of experience in basic and clinical research to Total Trials, where she currently leads client relationships for the West Coast and Canada. She holds a PhD in cancer biology from Stanford University, completed her undergraduate degree at Yale, and prior to her current role worked in biotech strategy consulting. She has built her career at the intersection of scientific rigor and operational complexity, with deep expertise in early-phase trial design, sponsor partnerships, and cross-functional team leadership.
Have questions or need more information? Reach out to our team—we’re here to help and eager to connect.
"*" indicates required fields
