Associates

Stacy has extensive experience as Senior Clinical Research Coordinator and Sub-Investigator involved with all aspects of pharmaceutical sponsored research from inception to completion. She has recruited over 60 studies, served as a consultant to start up research companies and established relationships with a multitude of pharmaceutical companies and CRO’s.

Mrs. Malm received her B.A. in psychology from Bradley University graduating summa cum laude and completed her Master’s degree at the Illinois School for Professional Psychology. She is currently a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois. 

As Senior Clinical Research Coordinator, Eric has been responsible for the successful start up, management and completion of many challenging clinical trials. He has been the highest enroller for the majority of these research trials and is a seasoned coordinator and sub-investigator. Mr. Malm has been involved in over 60 clinical trials in the areas of psychiatry, sleep medicine and internal medicine. He has been rater-qualified on a number of rater tools and has worked extensively with numerous clinical trial sub-contractors. 

Mr. Malm graduated, cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He completed his Master’s degree in social work at Loyola University Chicago. He is an active and licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois. 

A board certified family medicine practitioner, Dr. Van Der Leden completed her residency at MacNeal hospital in Berwyn, IL and received her Doctorate of Medicine from University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Van Der Leden also received a Ph.D from University of Illinois and a Master’s of Science from McGill University in Montreal. Her professional interests include women’s health, post partum depression and other psychiatric disease. 

Dr. Brett Plyler is board certified in both family practice and psychiatry. He is currently and attending psychiatrist for Northwestern Memorial Hospital in addition to his private practice and work for the corrections department of Cook county. Dr. Plyler is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and completed his Psychiatric residency at Rush St. Luke’s Presbyterian Medical Center. He has a strong interest in psychoanalysis and is currently attending the Institute for Psychoanalysis in Chicago.

Dr. Szyfer completed medical school at the Medical Academy of Gdansk, Poland. Before coming to the U.S. she worked as a pediatrician and neonatologist at the institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Neonatology Department, Medical Academy of Gdansk. Serving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and as a lecture/course instructor for the Department of Neonatology. Dr. Szyfer completed her U.S. residencies at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston IL. and at Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago. She is board eligible in Family practice and is board certified in neonatology and pediatrics in Poland.  Dr. Szyfer’s research interests include Diabetes and Hypertension. 

Dr. Jane Dyonzak is a Clinical Psychologist and board certified with the American Board of Sleep Medicine.  She received her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University.  In addition to her research activities, Dr. Dyonzak is partnered in the Insomnia Treatment Specialist, Ltd., on the clinical staff of the Sleep Disorders Center at Holy Family Medical Center and a consultant to the sleep center at Evanston Hospital. Dr. Dyonzak has published a dozen articles in leading medical journals on the topics of sleep. She has conducted clinical trials with funding from both the private and public sectors. 

Doctor Yuhwen Chow received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in psychology from the National Taiwan University before immigrating to the United States. She shortly thereafter completed her Master’s of Psychology from Purdue University. She received her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her residency in psychiatry at the University of Chicago Hospital. In addition to her work at Chicago Research Center Dr. Chow has a private psychiatric practice. Her professional interests include insight oriented therapy and woman’s health. 

Ms. Collins graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a B.S. in Biology. After completing 2 years of medical school at the University of Illinois, Chicago, she started working in the research industry at a research site identification company. Since starting at CRC in fall 2010, she has completed the “CRC Basic Training: A Practical Introduction to the Clinical Research Coordinator Role” course at Northwestern University.

Mr. Conetta graduated from Catholic University in 2004 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology.  He completed his Master’s in Counseling in 2009 and is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at the Adler School of Psychology.  After clinical experience in a children’s hospital, a community mental health, and a correctional setting, Mr. Conetta joined Chicago Research Center to assist with subject recruitiment and measurement administration.

Ms. Ptasznik is a Registered Polysomnographic Technician who has been performing sleep studies since 1988. She is adept at performing all nature of studies including MSLT’s, MWT’s and oxygen titrations. In addition to her work at Chicago Research Center, Ms. Ptasznik is currently on staff with the sleep laboratory at Thorek Hospital. She has experience working with Nihon-Koden, Grass and Sandman Sleep systems. She is currently scorer certified with Clinilabs and the Henry Ford sleep center. 

Ms. Aklar received her Electroneurodiagnostic Technician diploma from Medical Careers Institute in 2005.  She has experience working with Sandman Sleep systems and is currently scorer certified with Clinilabs.