Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Professor of Surgical Pathology in Surgery; Professor of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery - University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

 

Dr. Annamarie Horan has been a formal member of the CHTN-ED. Dr. Horan is currently the Director of Clinical Research for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania. She has extensive knowledge and experience in the development, set up, and execution, and regulatory oversight of clinical research. Dr. Horan works closely with the other members of the CHTN-ED Leadership Team to ensure ongoing compliance at CHTN-ED.

Additionally, Dr. Horan holds two State Powerlifting Records (bench press) through the World Natural Powerlifting Federation (WNPF). These are, Women's Super-Heavy Weight Class Master's Age Group 50 – 54, Single Lift, 125lbs and Women's Super-Heavy Weight Class Master's Age Group 50 – 54, Bench Press for Reps, 19 Reps X 98lbs

Diane McGarvey has over 30 years’ experience in biorepository science. She and her team have published on tissue procurement, preservation, and post-preservation processing methodologies. She has held multiple leadership positions in the NCI-Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) and is an active member of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER). Ms. McGarvey consults on biorepository start-up, logistics, and management.

Andrea Stone is a Tissue Bank Technician with over 21 years of experience. She has worked with the CHTN for over 21 years. She performs quality assurance audits, collects biosamples, and assists with histology preparations for investigator requests. Andrea has a degree in Biology and she is also IATA-certified shipping for the packaging and shipment of biosamples.

In addition to her pathology career she is also a certified as a Technician Level responder for HAZMAT events.

Mr. Sowers a certified Pathologist’s Assistant who has over 25 years of experience with the CHTN. Along with his experience procuring tissue, he now performs quality assurance audits. Steve has a degree in Molecular Biology and has an interest in genetic research and technology.

In addition to his surgical and anatomic pathology career, Steve is a USA Hockey level 4 certified coach who is currently coaching college ice hockey.

Mr. von Menchhofen is a program developer with a keen interest in open-source technology. He has a certificate from University of Pathology Informatics (UPI) and his responsibilities for the CHTN-ED include development, programming and implementation of custom software to operationalize CHTN-ED processes. He is the co-chair of the CHTN Informatics Subcommittee and the CHTN Technical Working Group (TWG). He regularly converts CHTNED IT projects into abstracts and presentations for academic and industry conferences and has been an invited presenter at both national and international conferences. He is a member of the Association of Pathology Informatics (API) and the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER). Additional work includes a joint research project to build a machine-learning software package to analyze whole slide images for cell identification, and the use of federated data source for sharing information. Mr. von Menchhofen has been with the CHTN since 2005.

In addition to his IT skills, Zack is a licensed pilot, an accomplished classical musician and member of the American Guild of Organists.

Mrs. Amalfitano has been with the CHTN since 2006. She graduated Jefferson University Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Biology (Medical track). She is a certified Clinical Research Coordinator, a research phlebotomist, and is IATA-certified for shipping. Mrs. Amalfitano procures biosamples and fluids at various CHTN ED collection locations and assists CHTN investigators with application intake and networking investigator requests.

Additionally, Mrs. Amalfitano is a mother of three, a certified dance instructor, and a competitive runner.

Ms. Mack has been with the ED for 13 years and maintains a strong relationship with our ED Investigators. She is a certified Clinical Research Coordinator and is IATA-certified for shipping biosamples. Mrs. Mack manages the invoicing and accounts receivables for the CHTN ED.

Ms. Cortright joined the CHTN Eastern Division in 2019. She assists CHTN investigators with their on-site and remote requests, procures and ships the biosamples for research projects across the country. She also has experience as a Clinical Research Coordinator working in advanced lung cancer research and palliative care. She is IATA-certified for shipping biosamples.

In her free time Faith is the co-founder and coach of Philly Roller Derby Juniors which is an all-gender roller derby program for skaters ages 6-17 years (including the 2-time National Champion Philly Junior All-Stars!).

Ms. Hagen has been with the ED for 3 years and she is a certified Clinical Research Coordinator. She is also IATA-certified for shipping biosamples.