Latin America
The Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) invites you to the virtual Latin America Ambassador Symposium on 8 November 2024!
Join clinical research sites and industry professionals for virtual learning and collaboration as we address clinical research challenges and opportunities in Latin America. Come away with actionable strategies for successful site operations including study coordination, partnership management, patient enrollment, and more.
SCRS Ambassador Symposiums unify key members of a regional site community for greater site sustainability.
This free 3-hour livestream symposium will share how regional clinical research sites are approaching clinical trial execution.
SCRS Ambassador Symposium Session Agenda
8 November 2024 | 10:00-13:00 GMT -3
| Registration | |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome and Opening Remarks |
| 10:15 – 11:00 | SCRS and the Site Landscape in Latin America |
| 11:00 – 11:50 | Benefits, Drawbacks, and Myths of Decentralized Clinical Trials |
| 11:50 – 12:00 | Break |
| 12:00 – 12:50 |
Clinical Trials In Latin America – Opportunities and Challenges Breakout Sessions |
| 12:50 – 13:00 | Closing Remarks |
Sponsored By
Why Attend?
Receive a one-year SCRS Membership for your site*
Network and collaborate with sites and industry partners
Discover technologies to scale your site operations
Build your site’s research capacity and resources
Who Should Attend?
Clinical research sites and industry professionals located in Latin America, including:
- Site Owners & Managers
- Clinical Investigators & Physicians
- Patient-Facing Teams
- Site Operations
- Business Development
- Regulatory & Government Affairs
About the SCRS Ambassador Program
The SCRS Ambassador Program is designed to cultivate a network of influential research industry professionals who will serve as SCRS ambassadors, bridging the gap between clinical research sites within their respective regions.
The Ambassador Program supports the global site community and other industry stakeholders by providing active and ongoing dialogue and content exchange. By attending Ambassador Symposiums, regional site attendees will have access to all SCRS member benefits for their entire organization.
Ambassador Program Latin America Regional Lead
Guillermo Ortiz
Guillermo Ortiz is the General Manager, President and Founder of Fundación Estudios Clínicos, a non-profit organization with sites all over Argentina. Graduated from Universidad Austral, he has a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Throughout his career, Guillermo has founded various companies from construction to health providers. His true passion began when he founded his first research site in 2012, which quickly led him to focus completely on his vocation, clinical research. With over 300 research protocols carried out and thousands of patients recruited, he has developed one of the largest networks of research sites in Argentina and Latin America. Guillermo has received numerous awards for his dedication to research and excellence as a top global recruiter. His speaking engagements at prominent research conferences have established him as a global mentor and leader in clinical research.
Ambassador Program Argentina Country Lead
Silvina Baudino
Silvina Baudino is a site advocate with more than two decades of experience in the clinical trials industry. Commencing her career as a clinical research coordinator at a site in Argentina, she swiftly transitioned to various roles in clinical operations, feasibility, and project management, garnering regional and global responsibilities. Her trajectory led her to the United States, where she honed her focus on fostering site engagement, forging strategic partnerships and promoting technology site enablement. Her roles and advocacy have spanned the health, pharma, CRO and technology sectors. Beyond her professional endeavors, she passionately advocates for amplifying the voice of research sites, emphasizing their perspective to delineate a unique value proposition for technological solutions and products within the field.
Ambassador Program Ecuador Country Lead
Dr. Roberto Aguirre
Dr. Roberto Aguirre, VP, Founder, and Global Research Director of AGA Clinical Trials since 2007, stands at the forefront of clinical research leadership. His journey is a testament to unwavering commitment, innovation, and transformative impact. As one of AGA Clinical Trials’ original founders, Dr. Aguirre spearheaded strategic initiatives that transformed the organization into one of South Florida’s premier research centers. He is one of only two physicians worldwide to achieve this distinction—an extraordinary feat that reflects his expertise and devotion.
In 2022, FindATopDoc.com recognized Dr. Aguirre as the US Top Researcher. His 300+ clinical trials collaboration to advancing medical knowledge garnered well-deserved commendations. Part of multiple SCRS Committees since its Inception and Currently an Ambassador for LATAM, CNS Summit Leadership Committee since 2019, Chief Medical Officer (HyperCORE International) from October 2019 to August 2023, Dr. Aguirre led HyperCORE International’s medical strategy. Since January 2024, Dr. Aguirre has lent his expertise to the GCSA Global Advisory Board. His insights shape industry standards, fostering collaboration and driving progress Internationally at a Global Scale, also invited to QCR Network as a partner site to provide support and knowledge representing the Hispanic Community in South East Florida, AGA Clinical Trials whom he represents, stands alone—the only facility in the USA and Latin America with GCSA accreditation to date.
Ambassador Program Peru & Colombia Country Lead
Paul Toralva Caceres
Paul is the Business Developer at Dr. SOM (Segunda Opinión Medica) and AveSalud, sites located in Barranquilla and Cartagena, Colombia. He is a Dental Surgeon from Universidad San Martín de Porres, Peru, and holds an MBA in Strategic Business Administration from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP).
Throughout his 25-year career in clinical research, Paul has served as a Worldwide Clinical Quality Assurance Auditor for Merck Sharp & Dohme. He has held various key regional positions at IQVIA, including Project Oversight Director for vaccine programs, Director of Operations, and Head of R&D in Peru, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Central America. He was also Head of Quality Management for Latin America. Most recently, he served as the Global Director of Project Delivery for biotech companies at ICON plc.
Paul is a founding member of the Peruvian Association of Contract Clinical Research Organizations of Peru and Colombia. He has also served as President of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations of Peru and was an active member of the Steering Committee of the Health Services Sector (COMSALUD) of the Chamber of Commerce of Lima.
Ambassador Program Mexico Country Lead
Dr. Sonia López Álvarez
Sonia Lopez Alvarez is a Medical Surgeon from the Universidad Anahuac, a Master in Bioethics from the University of Navarra, and a specialist in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain. Her diploma is from the ITAM in management of Health Institutions, Graduate of the Safety, Quality, Leadership and Informatics in Health program from Harvard University in Boston.
In Mexico, she has worked as an advisor in the Undersecretariat of Prevention and Health Promotion of the Ministry of Health and as Technical Secretary of the Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion from 2013-2018. She was also a medical director in a telemedicine company and an advisor to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Mexico for international health and protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until January 2023, she served as executive director of the Mexican Society of Public Health.
She worked as a site director for Panamerican Clinical Research in Cuernavaca, Mexico. She is currently the director of public relations for Panamerican Clinical Research, focusing on managing and maintaining the reputation and image of Panamerican Clinical Research as well as establishing and maintaining positive relationships with the public, patients, healthcare providers, stakeholders, and media communication.
She has been a professor of epidemiology, bioethics and biostatistics at the Universidad Anáhuac, as well as a tutor for 3rd-year residents in the Epidemiology specialty of the Ministry of Health. She is currently a professor at the University of Tlaxcala.
Ambassador Program Chile Country Lead
Ximena Chandia
*Qualified site attendees will receive a one-year digital SCRS membership scholarship for your location. To qualify, you must be currently working at a site located within the named SCRS Ambassador region. (Sites located or headquartered in any other geography are not eligible). SCRS membership benefits will be available to all registered staff at your physical location. SCRS membership benefits are not transferable from originating SCRS Ambassador scholarship award.