Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics
ITMAT Education and Training

Leadership & Administration

Program Directors

  • Photo of Laura Adang, MD, PhD

    Laura Adang, MD, PhD

    Program Director, Postbac Education
    Laura Adang, MD, PhD Profile Page

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    Laura Adang, MD, PhD
  • Photo of Amanda Brock, DNP, MBE, RN, CRN-BC

    Amanda Brock, DNP, MBE, RN, CRN-BC

    Program Director, Clinical Research Nursing Education
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    Amanda Brock, DNP, MBE, RN, CRN-BC

    Amanda Brock is Associate Director of Investigational Product Preparation and Administration (IPPI) Strategy at Johnson & Johnson, where she collaborates with cross-functional teams to support the safe, effective, and operationally feasible preparation and administration of investigational products in global clinical trials. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Health Leadership, Master of Bioethics, and Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

    With a clinical background in oncology nursing, Amanda brings experience in patient care, clinical research operations, bioethics, and healthcare leadership. Her work includes participation in Institutional Review Board (IRB) activities and collaboration with regulatory, clinical, medical, pharmacy, and operational stakeholders to support ethical, compliant, and patient-centered clinical research. She is passionate about advancing clinical research through education, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Photo of Marina Cuchel, MD, PhD, MSTR

    Marina Cuchel, MD, PhD, MSTR

    Co-Program Director, Predoc T32; Director, Clinical Trialist Training Program
    Marina Cuchel, MD, PhD, MSTR Profile Page

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    Marina Cuchel, MD, PhD, MSTR
  • Photo of Danielle Cullen, MD, MPH

    Danielle Cullen, MD, MPH

    Program Director, Implementation Science Certificate
    Danielle Cullen, MD, MPH Profile Page

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    Danielle Cullen, MD, MPH
  • Photo of Scott Damrauer, MD

    Scott Damrauer, MD

    Co-Program Director, K12
    Scott Damrauer, MD Profile Page

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    Scott Damrauer, MD
  • Photo of Andrew Fesnak, MD, MHCI

    Andrew Fesnak, MD, MHCI

    Program Director, MRA, Co-Program Director, MSRS
    Andrew Fesnak, MD, MHCI Profile Page

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    Andrew Fesnak, MD, MHCI

    Andrew Fesnak holds a BA in molecular biology from Princeton, an MD from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and a Masters in Health Care Innovation from the University of Pennsylvania. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Director of Cell Manufacturing and Development in the Clinical Cell and Vaccine Production Facility, and a recipient of multiple education and teaching awards. 
  • Photo of Laura Fluharty, MPH

    Laura Fluharty, MPH

    Program Director, Clinical Research Professional Education

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    Laura Fluharty, MPH
  • Photo of Nalaka Gooneratne, MD, MSc

    Nalaka Gooneratne, MD, MSc

    Program Director, I2SEED
    Nalaka Gooneratne, MD, MSc Profile Page

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    Nalaka Gooneratne, MD, MSc
  • Photo of Michael Harhay, PhD

    Michael Harhay, PhD

    Co-Program Director, K12
    Michael Harhay, PhD Profile Page

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    Michael Harhay, PhD
  • Photo of Elizabeth Hexner, MD, MSTR

    Elizabeth Hexner, MD, MSTR

    Co-Program Director, Postdoc T32; Co-Program Director, MSTR; Director, ASCEND
    Elizabeth Hexner, MD, MSTR Profile Page

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    Elizabeth Hexner, MD, MSTR
  • Photo of Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD

    Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD

    Co-Program Director, Predoc T32
    Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD Profile Page

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    Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD
  • Photo of Cheilonda Johnson, MD, MHS

    Cheilonda Johnson, MD, MHS

    Co-Program Director, Postdoc T32
    Cheilonda Johnson, MD, MHS Profile Page

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    Cheilonda Johnson, MD, MHS
  • Photo of Emma Meagher, MD

    Emma Meagher, MD

    Director, ITMAT Ed; Co-Program Director, MSTR, Co-Program Director, K12; Co-Program Director, MSRS
    Emma Meagher, MD Profile Page

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    Emma Meagher, MD

    Emma A. Meagher, MD, serves as Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Meagher graduated cum laude with her medical doctorate degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, and completed postgraduate training in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Pharmacology.

    Dr. Meagher's educational interests are in the fields of translational research methodology and career development for graduate and pre- and postdoctoral students; and novel modalities for education in pharmacology for undergraduate medical students. Dr. Meagher's research interest is in the development of novel therapeutics in dyslipidemia. Her clinical practice focused on cardiovascular risk modification, with an emphasis on dyslipidemia management, hypertension, and women's cardiovascular health. 

    In her roles as Vice Dean and Chief Clinical Research Officer, and as Senior Associate Vice Provost for Human Research, Dr. Meagher oversees the institution’s clinical research infrastructure and its portfolio, and sets the strategy for Penn Medicine’s clinical research enterprise. In her roles as Associate Dean for PSOM Master’s and Certificate Programs, and as Director of Translational Research Education, Dr. Meagher is responsible for the rapidly growing portfolio of professional education opportunities provided by the Perelman School of Medicine.

    Dr. Meagher is certified as a Master Trainer via the NIH-funded National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN). At Penn, she has implemented a Research Mentor and Mentee Training program for investigators conducting clinical and translational science. Dr. Meagher has received recognition for her efforts in education through numerous teaching awards, including the university's highest teaching honor, the Lindback Award for Medical Education (2005), and the Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges (2014).
  • Photo of Carsten Skarke, MD

    Carsten Skarke, MD

    Program Director, Undergraduate Education and Artist in Residence
    Carsten Skarke, MD Profile Page

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    Carsten Skarke, MD
  • Photo of Karen Teff, PhD

    Karen Teff, PhD

    Program Director, K2R

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    Karen Teff, PhD

Staff

  • Photo of Layah Bogen

    Layah Bogen

    Instructional Design Coordinator
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    Layah Bogen
  • Photo of Erika Callaghan, MS, MA, CAPM

    Erika Callaghan, MS, MA, CAPM

    Associate Director, ITMAT Education
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    Erika Callaghan, MS, MA, CAPM

    Erika Callaghan oversees the operational and student-affairs aspects of regulatory education programs and contributing to the strategic development of online courses and programs. She has extensive experience in instructional design and managing programs in higher education, with specific expertise in digital learning and accessibility. 
  • Photo of Jessica German, MSEd

    Jessica German, MSEd

    Senior Associate Director, ITMAT Education
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    Jessica German, MSEd
  • Photo of Judith Hagans, MBA

    Judith Hagans, MBA

    Education Coordinator, ITMAT Education
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    Judith Hagans, MBA
  • Photo of Colleen Itani, MFA

    Colleen Itani, MFA

    Associate Director, ITMAT Education
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    Colleen Itani, MFA

    Areas of Focus 

    My portfolio includes the Implementation Science Certificate, I2SEED, K2R, and the TRIP Artist in Residence programs. 

    Contact Me If You: 

    • Have questions about the Implementation Science Certificate. 
    • Are interested in registering for MTR 6230: Writing an NIH Grant. 
    • Are a Penn or CHOP early career scientist who has completed a K award or equivalent and is seeking support for an R award application. 
    • Would like to learn more about the TRIP Artist in Residence program. 
    • Need assistance navigating any of the programs listed above. 
  • Photo of Megan Maxwell, MSW

    Megan Maxwell, MSW

    Senior Associate Director, ITMAT Education
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    Megan Maxwell, MSW
  • Photo of Rachel McGarrigle, MSEd

    Rachel McGarrigle, MSEd

    Director of Education, ITMAT Education
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    Rachel McGarrigle, MSEd

 

Penn-CHOP Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Education Leadership

  • Laura Adang, MD, PhD, Co-Lead, UM1 Element C1 Profile 

  • Marina Cuchel, MD, PhD, MSTR, MPI, Predoc T32 Profile

  • Scott Damrauer, MD, MPI, K12 Profile

  • Laura Fluharty, MPH, Co-Lead, UM1 Element C1 Email

  • Michael Harhay, PhD, MPI, K12 Profile

  • Elizabeth Hexner, MD, MSTR, MPI, Postdoc T32 Profile

  • Stephen Hunger, MD, Co-Lead, UM1 Center for Learning Science Profile

  • Cheilonda Johnson, MD, MHS, MPI, Postdoc T32 Profile

  • Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD, MPI, Predoc T32 Profile

  • Emma Meagher, MD, MPI, UM1 and Co-Lead, UM1 Center for Learning Science Profile