About Summit Research

Our goal at Summit Research is to expand scientific knowledge while maintaining the highest quality patient care.

Summit Research is a medical research organization located in the greater Portland, Oregon area. Since 1976, we remain dedicated to improving medical treatment by conducting high quality scientific research and patient care. We work in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies to develop better future treatments and better health for individuals with medical and mental health conditions. Our expanded services include the Memory Health Center within Summit Research to focus on dementia and other age related memory conditions.

In 2021, Summit Research joined Headlands Research integrated network of clinical trials sites.

Our staff includes physicians; psychologists, nurse practitioners, certified clinical research coordinators, medical assistants, and support personnel.  

What kind of research is done at Summit?

We perform research studies, also known as clinical trials, of approved and investigational medications. Some of these studies are undertaken to enhance our understanding of currently available medications (for example; determining optimal dose schedules). We also conduct research on medications that are not available to the general public except in research studies, and look at questions of expanded usage (for example; determining whether an established medical treatment for depression is also effective in treating anxiety). 

All medications available by prescription in the U.S. must go through this highly regulated, scientific process to evaluate whether an investigational medication can be approved and made available to all.   

Many of our studies involve comparisons between an investigational study medication, a commonly prescribed medication, and a placebo (inactive substance). Placebo groups are included in some of our studies because the status of patients in the placebo group provides a comparison base for evaluating the effectiveness of active medications. In addition, a surprising number of people improve when treated with placebos.

Our patients receive research-related care, evaluations, and supervision by our professional and experienced staff. A post-study treatment program may also be available to patients once their study participation has been completed. All of these services are provided at no cost to the patient and health insurance is not required for any study required visits or procedures. In addition, many of our clinical trials provide study participants with a stipend or compensation for time and travel.

LEADERSHIP

James R. Hockley, M.B.A

President-Owner
With Summit Since 1984

Jim started with Summit Research (previously Pacific Northwest Clinical Research Center) in December, 1984. He helped navigate Summit’s growth over the years and helped open sites in multiple locations. He has primary responsibility for business development and the overall management of the business. In his spare time, Jim plays tennis, lifts weights and spends time with his family.


PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Scott Losk, PHD

Principal Investigator / Clinical Director
With Summit Since 1990

Dr. Losk is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist who has maintained a clinical and research practice with Summit Research in Portland, OR since 1990. He has been a principal investigator on over 60 clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and has done research on all of the current FDA-approved drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. He has been a sub-investigator in over 125 clinical trials evaluating treatments of other central nervous system disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, migraine, fibromyalgia, etc.). Dr. Losk is active in the Alzheimer’s community providing talks and presentations to caregivers and other professionals.

Dr. Losk has extensive clinical and research experience in all aspects of cognitive disorders and because of his background, experience and contacts in the pharmaceutical industry he has access to all of the latest research studies in Alzheimer’s disease.

When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, home and yard projects, the guitar, and his dogs.
Beal Essink, MD

Principal Investigator
With Summit since 2021

Beal Essink, MD, is the newest member of our Summit Research Investigator team. He hails from the Midwest, where he graduated with Distinction from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1996. He has been an Alpha Omega Alpha member since 1996 and completed the Psychiatry Residency Training Program at Oregon Health Sciences University in 2000. In residency, he served as a Chief Resident and was elected Psychiatry Resident of the Year in 2000. Since 2002, he has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and he won the Distinguished Services Award at OHSU in 2003.

Dr. Essink has psychiatric experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, but his true passion has always been research. He has been conducting clinical research studies since 2003 and has been an Investigator for over 250 trials.

When Dr. Essink is not working, he enjoys rock climbing at the gym, hiking in the forest, watching football, and playing card and board games.


CLINICIAN RATERS

Carrie Crider, BS

Research Clinician / Rater
With Summit Since 2005

Carrie Crider, BS, received her bachelor's in Psychology at Portland State University. She has been a Research Clinician at Summit since 2005. Carrie has clinical trial experience in studies focusing on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. At Summit, Carrie has been a sub-investigator on over 60 studies. Prior to working at Summit, Carrie attended school at Queens College in New York and worked in a research and publishing capacity studying the effects of dementia on emotion under Dr. Joan Borod. Before this, Carrie worked at OHSU on a cognitive remediation program for children who were cancer survivors.


MANAGERS

Lisa Calmettes

Accounting Manager
With Summit Since 1994

Lisa began working with Summit Research Management, Inc (SRN) as a contractor in 1994, she owned a bookkeeping service for small business and SRN was a client. She became a fulltime employee with SRN in 1999. She manages the financial aspects of the business, as well as payroll and tracking our Human Resource services. In her free time, she loves traveling to warm destinations and spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.
Annika Truitt

Manager - Research Operations
With Summit Since 1994

Annika received her bachelor's degrees in biology and statistics from Washington State University in 1994. She was the senior recipient of the Herbert J. Eastlick Young Sciences award that year and completed an internship at Pacific Northwest Asthma and Allergy that got her “hooked” on research. Following graduation, Annika started working at Summit Research and has had the opportunity to provide oversight on over 150 trials in pediatric ADHD, Alzheimer’s and many other central nervous system and medical studies. In her free time, Annika enjoys running, spending time with family and cuddling with her Shiba Inu pups.


STUDY COORDINATORS

Kate Walker-Schneider

Clinical Research Coordinator
With Summit Since 2021

Kate Walker-Schneider, PhD, received a Bachelor of Art degree in from the University of Oregon in 2000, and her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from Walden University in 2021. At Summit she is currently working as both a Clinical Research Coordinator and a Rater in a hybrid position. Kate’s background is in Medical Administration where she spent close to 20 years working in a variety of different roles in both the hospital and clinical setting. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her sweet and active little boy.
Bridgette Wathen

Clinical Research Coordinator
With Summit Since 2022

Bridgette graduated from The University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology with Interdisciplinary Honors. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant in a neurology lab focusing on identifying therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases. After graduation, Bridgette completed a professional certificate course in clinical and translational research from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center and was able to gain experience in endocrine and vaccine studies as a clinical research assistant. Now back in the PNW, Bridgette has joined the Summit team as a clinical research coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys arts and crafts, pickle ball, and exploring all the parks and trails around her new home.
Anita Voskanyan Semerjian

Data Entry Coordinator
With Summit Since 2022

Anita graduated from Yerevan State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics. She speaks English, Armenian, Spanish & Russian. Prior to moving to the United States from Armenia, Anita worked at Armenia TV Company as the Head of Foreign Relations Department. Since 2012 she had been doing medical interpreting & then document processing for Passport To Languages in Portland, OR. Anita has recently joined Summit Headlands as Data Entry Coordinator. She loves her job & the people she is working with. Outside of work Anita enjoys spending quality time with her sweet daughter, loves cooking, baking, dancing, playing chess & traveling. She is also an active member of St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church of Oregon.



LAB TECHNICIANS

Rachael Young, ST, MA

Lead Lab Technician
With Summit Since 2016

Rachael has been working with Summit since 2016. Her first position was as a recruitment specialist completing interviews with potential research participants. Since this first position, she has transitioned to coordinator assistant and is now putting her MA skills to even greater use as Summit’s lab lead. She has been a MA since 2004. Her current duties include patient procedures such as starting IV infusions, setting blood draw ports, drawing blood, ECG’s, vital signs and saliva testing. Processing and shipping samples per specific protocol requirements is also an important part of Rachael’s role. About Summit, Rachael says, “I love the work I get to do here at Summit, it is fast paced and ever changing. I find it challenging as well as very interesting. I am happy to be here on the front lines of medical research.”


ADMINISTRATION

Missy Bruinenberg

Contracts Coordinator
With Summit Since 2005

Missy joined the Summit team in April of 2005. She's been able to learn many different aspects of the business working in the administrative department. Most of Missy’s time is spent reviewing contracts and budget spreadsheets for new and ongoing studies. She is also responsible for entering contract and budget details into the site’s database to ensure accurate scheduling and accounting. Her role involves communicating with the front office, coordinating, accounting and administrative teams to ensure accuracy in contracts and budgets. In addition to contracts, Missy is a “team player” and takes on many different tasks when asked. She really enjoys what she does. This job challengers her daily, keeps her busy and she continues to learn new things! At home, Missy stays busy with her husband and son. They enjoy playing games, taking trips to the beach and working with the kids of their youth group.





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