Meet the people behind the research

Dr. Edwin DeJesus is the Medical Director of Orlando Immunology Center. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, and completed his Internal Medicine training and Infectious Disease fellowship at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. DeJesus is board-certified in Infectious Diseases and holds certification as an HIV Specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM).

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. DeJesus has dedicated his career to caring for people living with HIV and hepatitis. He serves as the Principal Investigator for the OIC research department, leading Phase I-IV clinical trials focused on improving prevention, management, and treatment of infectious conditions, including HIV vaccines and cure studies. Recently, Dr. DeJesus has played an active role with the NIH in COVID-19 vaccines and treatment.

Dr. DeJesus has amassed an impressive bibliography of over 100 recent publications related to his research. He is highly regarded in the medical community and has presented his research findings at numerous international conferences, including IAS, ICAAC, and CROI, among many others. As a respected public educator, he has been a guest speaker at various medical conferences and institutions, sharing his expertise on HIV, hepatitis, and infectious diseases.

Beyond his clinical and research work, he is an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine. Dr. DeJesus is deeply committed to his patients and community. He has initiated free HIV testing programs, opened the first PrEP clinic in Orlando, maintains strong relationships with Central Florida non-profit organizations, and has contributed medical columns to local publications.

Dr. DeJesus’s contributions to the medical field and dedication to patient care have earned him numerous accolades and recognition. He has been featured as one of Orlando’s Top Doctors by Orlando Magazine for the past ten years and was named one of the 25 most influential Hispanic individuals in Central Florida by the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

With his expertise, research endeavors, and commitment to community outreach, Dr. Edwin DeJesus continues to make a significant impact in the field of infectious diseases, comprehensive healthcare for the sexually active adult, and the lives of his patients.

Dr. Hinestrosa received his medical degree in 1997 from Universidad CES in Medellín, Colombia. He completed his Internal Medicine training at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania, and his Infectious Disease Fellowship at Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He is a certified HIV Specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM).

Dr. Hinestrosa is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Before joining Orlando Immunology Center in 2009, Dr. Hinestrosa was an HIV/AIDS Primary Care Consultant at Andromeda Transcultural Health in Washington, DC.

Dr. Hinestrosa was named Associate Medical Director of OIC in 2017. Besides his clinical duties, he also plays investigator roles on OIC’s HCV and HIV clinical trials. He is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the HIV Medicine Association, and the American Academy of HIV Medicine. He has contributed original articles to the medical literature and has presented abstracts at professional society annual meetings, including the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).

Dr. Rolle is the Director of Research Operations at Orlando Immunology Center. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and obtained a Master’s in Public Health at Harvard. She completed a Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta and has conducted research in areas ranging from HIV testing laws to PrEP, publishing many papers. She is certified as an HIV Specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM).

Dr. Rolle’s passion for helping those with HIV began in high school, when she volunteered at a homeless shelter for people living with HIV. She continued her advocacy in college, developing HIV and STI education and prevention programs for youth and women.

She has treated patients in Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Haiti, and Rwanda, giving her a global perspective on HIV treatment and care.

Wendy Wert is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator with more than 27 years of experience in clinical research. Throughout her career, she has supported a wide range of infectious disease clinical trials and has played an important role in helping participants connect with innovative research opportunities.

At OIC Research, Wendy works closely with investigators, study teams, sponsors, and participants to support the successful coordination of clinical trials. Her experience, attention to detail, and commitment to participant care help ensure a smooth, professional, and supportive research experience.

Andy Fontaine is a Registered Nurse and Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator at OIC Research. He has been part of the Orlando Immunology Center team for three years, supporting clinical trials focused on novel HIV treatment regimens.

In his role, Andy helps guide participants through the clinical trial process, providing education, support, and coordination throughout their research experience. His nursing background and hands-on research experience help ensure participants feel informed, supported, and cared for during each step of their participation.

Justin Cooper is a Registered Nurse and Clinical Research Coordinator at Orlando Immunology Center, with experience supporting clinical trials focused on HIV treatment, HIV infusion therapies, hepatitis, and PrEP prevention.

In his role at OIC Research, Justin works closely with investigators, sponsors, and research teams to support the advancement of new treatment options and prevention strategies. He has also traveled with Principal Investigators across the United States and internationally to explore emerging clinical trials and strengthen partnerships within the research community.

Justin is especially passionate about patient education, sexual health awareness, and supporting LGBTQ+ youth through prevention, wellness, and access to accurate health information.

Janiza Veloz is a bilingual Registered Nurse and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator with more than 20 years of experience in clinical research and patient care. Throughout her career, she has contributed to the development of numerous FDA-approved HIV therapies and has played an active role in hepatitis C clinical research since the early development of sofosbuvir, helping support studies that transformed hepatitis C into a curable disease.

At OIC Research, Janiza works closely with participants, investigators, sponsors, and study teams to help ensure the successful conduct of clinical trials while delivering a high-quality, participant-centered research experience. Her extensive research expertise, clinical knowledge, and commitment to excellence contribute to advancing innovative therapies and improving patient outcomes.

Jorge Guerrero is a Clinical Trial Coordinator and the newest member of the OIC Research team. He brings more than six years of experience in clinical research and ten years of experience in healthcare.

In his role, Jorge supports the coordination and successful conduct of clinical trials while providing compassionate guidance and support to study participants. He is passionate about patient education, advancing medical research, and contributing to work that helps improve healthcare outcomes and the well-being of the community.

Jamie Castano is a Clinical Research Recruiter at OIC Research and will celebrate seven years with the company this year. She brings several years of experience in the medical field and has supported multiple infectious disease clinical trials.

In her role, Jamie works closely with participants and study teams to support recruitment, communication, and the clinical trial screening process. She is passionate about helping connect individuals with innovative research opportunities while ensuring they feel informed, welcomed, and supported throughout their experience.

Angela E’Akels earned her Master of Science in Nursing from North Park University in Chicago in 2017. She is credentialed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Nurse Practitioner and holds membership in both the Florida Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association.

Prior to joining OIC, Angela worked as an FNP in Chicago at Howard Brown Health, where she cared for patients within the LGBTQ+ community, including patients living with HIV, patients initiating hormone replacement therapy, and patients seeking an inclusive LGBTQ+ medical home.

She has also collaborated on research identifying gaps in bilingual and bicultural staffing for comprehensive care of Latinx patients with HIV, presenting findings at the Midwest LGBTQ Health Symposium in Chicago.

Jeffrey Garrett earned his Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Florida State University, where he completed capstone projects in HIV and Hepatitis C. Before joining OIC in 2011, he spent six years at Infectious Disease Consultants in an acute care hospital setting.

At OIC, he has served as a sub-investigator and clinical research coordinator for hepatitis C and HIV clinical trials, while also providing direct patient care for both conditions. He holds certification as an HIV Specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) and has served as a revising author for continuing education courses on HIV prevention, transmission, opportunistic infections, and clinical management.

He is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC), and the American Academy of HIV Medicine, and has co-authored publications on COVID-19 antibody treatments in clinical trials.

Stephanie Skipper earned her Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Central Florida and holds certification as an HIV Specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM). She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Prior to joining OIC, Stephanie spent many years in the community with a focus on HIV care and other complex infectious diseases, bringing extensive frontline healthcare experience to her role.

Phillip Maxwell earned his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Touro College School of Health Sciences in 2011. He began his career in emergency medicine at Elmhurst Trauma Center in New York City, where he was named Physician Assistant of the Year in 2016 by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He later worked as an Emergency Medicine PA at AdventHealth Celebration, serving as a clinical preceptor for physician assistant students from 2018 to 2022.

At OIC, Phillip focuses on care for the LGBTQ+ community. His research interests center on HIV transmission, including how genetic alterations of the immune system may help prevent infection, the subject of his master’s thesis. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA), the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), and the International Anal Neoplasia Society.

Anthony Toombs is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN, FNP, APRN) and an HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN). He earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Florida with a concentration in healthcare leadership.

Since 2022, he has served with Orlando Immunology Center, initially as a Registered Nurse and now as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, drawing on his HIV/AIDS nursing certification. He is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Rufus Holcomb is a Research Pharmacy Technician at OIC Research. In his role, he supports the receipt, storage, dispensing, accountability, and reconciliation of investigational medications used in clinical trials.

Rufus works closely with pharmacists, physicians, research coordinators, and sponsors to help ensure accurate documentation, quality assurance, and the safe handling of investigational drugs. His work supports compliance with FDA regulations, Good Clinical Practice guidelines, and study protocols, contributing to the safe and successful conduct of clinical trials.

Javon Carrington is a Lab Technician at OIC Research with more than five years of experience in clinical research and patient care. He has supported multiple infectious disease clinical trials and plays an important role in helping ensure study-related lab processes are completed accurately and efficiently.

In his role, Javon works closely with study teams to support clinical trial operations and contribute to a smooth, organized, and supportive research experience for participants.

Erick Bazil is a Research Assistant Data Coordinator at OIC Research and has been with the company for about one year. In his role, he supports clinical research projects by helping organize data, maintain accurate records, and assist the research team with day-to-day data coordination.

Dedicated, detail-oriented, and committed to continuous learning, Erick contributes to the team’s success by supporting data accuracy, organization, and effective collaboration across research activities.

Sabrina Rodriguez has been part of Orlando Immunology Center since 2020 and currently serves as Regulatory Specialist for OIC Research. In her role, she coordinates regulatory documentation and works closely with sponsors, IRBs, and internal research teams to support compliance across clinical trials.

Sabrina also helps ensure that staff training, study documentation, and research activities remain aligned with applicable regulations, sponsor requirements, and institutional standards.

Jacqueline Lee is a Regulatory Specialist at OIC Research with experience in both clinical and research settings. She has worked alongside emergency room providers for three years and has nearly two years of experience as a research assistant.

Jacqueline is passionate about clinical research and its role in advancing patient outcomes. In her role, she supports the coordination of regulatory processes and works closely with staff, participants, and study teams to help ensure clinical trials run smoothly behind the scenes.

Madeleine Garcia is a Research Finance Specialist with nearly two decades of experience in healthcare finance. She supports the financial operations of OIC Research, including workforce planning, study-related financial coordination, and monthly reporting.

In her role, Madeleine works closely with sponsors and study teams to help ensure research activities are supported efficiently and completed on time. Her experience in healthcare finance and research operations contributes to a smooth, organized, and supportive clinical trial experience.