Maria Becerra

Clinical Research Specialist | Educator | Global Oncology Trial Leader | Entrepreneur

Maria Becerra is a distinguished clinical research professional and educator with extensive experience across oncology, rare disease, and high-impact global trials. With a foundation in medical studies and an Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc), she brings both scientific depth and patient-centered perspective to every project she leads.

Her career includes years of hands-on experience in oncology clinical trials across Phases I–IV, including serving as a lead on a global FDA-approved oncology trial, which positioned her as a trusted expert in navigating complex, multinational research programs. Maria has worked in senior roles with international clinical research organizations and sponsor-partners, where she oversaw vendor management, site engagement, regulatory compliance, and operational strategy. She is recognized for her ability to integrate ICH-GCP standards, inspection readiness, and risk management frameworks into streamlined, efficient operations.
Beyond clinical research, Maria is an entrepreneur committed to building and scaling innovative ventures. She has founded and grown companies in both the healthcare and service industries, applying her strategic vision and operational discipline to deliver results. Her start-up leadership demonstrates her ability to bridge science, business, and innovation—driving sustainable growth while creating new opportunities in competitive markets.
She is also passionate about advancing the digital transformation of clinical trials, integrating technology platforms to improve enrollment, strengthen compliance, and enhance site and patient experiences.
As an instructor, Maria is dedicated to preparing the next generation of clinical research professionals. She develops and delivers specialized courses in trial design, monitoring, compliance, and quality systems, ensuring students gain not only the technical foundations but also the adaptive mindset required in today’s evolving research and business landscapes.
Her values, integrity, innovation, collaboration, and mentorship shape her dual path as both a clinical research specialist and entrepreneur. She remains committed to building impactful projects that advance science, empower people, and bring meaningful therapies and solutions to the world.

Kenny Olatunji MSc, PMP®

Kenny Olatunji is a strategic Clinical Project Manager and educator with over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry and more than 8 years specifically managing clinical trials. She has successfully led global studies across the full clinical development spectrum—from pre-clinical to Phase I–IV, including observational and registry studies. Her therapeutic area experience spans oncology, gastrointestinal (GI), inflammation, and rare diseases, supporting both early- and late-phase development.

Kenny has held leadership roles at some of the world’s largest and mid-sized Contract Research Organizations (CROs), where she managed global cross-functional teams, vendors, sites, and sponsors. Her areas of expertise include trial planning and execution, regulatory compliance, vendor oversight, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and quality assurance across regions including North America, the UK, and the EU.

Her foundation in clinical research is underpinned by a Master’s degree in Translational Oncology from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s top-ranked university, and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), with additional background in pharmacovigilance and site-level operations. Having worked under direct sponsor assignments as well as in CRO-led models, Kenny offers a unique and well-rounded understanding of trial delivery from multiple operational perspectives.

In addition to her industry leadership, Kenny is passionate about mentorship and education. She has served as a university teaching assistant and actively supports aspiring clinical research professionals through training and career development coaching. Her experience bridges the academic and operational worlds—empowering learners to confidently transition from the classroom into high-performing clinical research roles. Kenny is known for her integrity, proactive leadership, and commitment to building inclusive, accountable teams that drive excellence in clinical research.

Zain Siddiqui

Certified Clinical Research Specialist and Principal Clinical Research Associate

As a Certified Clinical Research Specialist with a decade of hands-on experience in the field, I bring both depth and dedication to my role as an instructor. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Biomedical concentration from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, where I began my journey in clinical research as an undergraduate researcher and later as a Research Assistant at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Following my academic experience, I joined Medpace as a Clinical Research Associate, gaining foundational knowledge in trial monitoring and site management. I further honed my skills at ICON plc over two years before taking on my current role as a Principal Clinical Research Associate at PPD, where I have acquired extensive experience in oncology trials and multiple therapeutic areas. This background enables me to deliver real-world insights, practical knowledge, and a deep understanding of clinical trial operations to students, ensuring they gain the skills and confidence needed to excel in the clinical research industry.

My goal as an instructor is to empower each student with actionable knowledge and industry expertise to launch their clinical research careers with confidence.