Our Team
Dr. Muhammad K. Syed - Principal Investigator
Dr. Muhammad K. Syed is a highly accomplished physician with over two decades of clinical and leadership experience in Internal Medicine, including residency at the Yale-affiliated Hospital of Saint Raphael. As the Principal Investigator at Okeechobee Clinical Research and founder of several medical institutions, he leads complex clinical trials with a patient-centered approach backed by GCP and Human Subjects Protection certifications. Dr. Syed seamlessly integrates his role as a practicing physician for 15,500 patients with his research leadership, ensuring OCR remains a trusted, community-focused partner for global sponsors.
Celeste Gonzalez - Senior Clinical Research Coordinator
Celeste Gonzalez is a highly experienced clinical research professional with over 23 years of experience as a Coordinator and 12 years in site management, specializing in Phase 1–4 trials across diverse therapeutic areas. As Research Manager at Okeechobee Clinical Research, she provides operational leadership and oversight for site workflows, ensuring the highest standards of clinical excellence, regulatory data integrity, and patient safety. Backed by a strong academic foundation in Biology and a comprehensive suite of certifications, Celeste streamlines the entire study lifecycle—from startup to closeout—to ensure a seamless experience for both participants and global sponsors.
Talib Jaber - Site Director
Talib Jaber is an accomplished healthcare executive and licensed pharmacist with nearly three decades of experience in clinical operations, data integrity, and strategic business development. As Site Director and Co-Founder of Okeechobee Clinical Research, he leverages his MIT-specialized expertise in Artificial Intelligence and pharmacy to oversee regulatory adherence, operational excellence, and meticulous investigational product accountability. Fully certified in GCP and Human Subjects Protection, Talib integrates cutting-edge technology with rigorous SOPs to ensure a highly compliant, data-driven environment for sponsors and patients alike.
Melissa Aponte - Clinical Research Coordinator
Melissa Aponte is a dedicated healthcare professional and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with extensive clinical experience in patient care, medical documentation, and diagnostic procedures such as PFT and Holter monitoring. As a Clinical Research Coordinator at Okeechobee Clinical Research, she leverages her bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish to drive effective recruitment, education, and retention within the community’s diverse study populations. Fully certified in GCP and HIPAA compliance, Melissa manages critical trial tasks—including phlebotomy and biological sample processing—with a steadfast commitment to data integrity and participant safety.
Brooke Mavroides - Sub-Investigator
Brooke Mavroides is an NCCPA Certified Physician Assistant with an extensive clinical background in diagnostic imaging and healthcare management, including a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University. As a Sub-Investigator at Okeechobee Clinical Research, she utilizes her specialized expertise as a former Radiologic and MRI Technologist to provide a unique perspective on imaging endpoints and protocol-driven patient assessments. Fully certified in GCP and Human Subjects Protection, Brooke serves as a Clinical Preceptor for Florida State University and ensures the highest trial standards through meticulous informed consent, adverse event identification, and interdisciplinary coordination.
Rayann Jaber - Sub-Investigator
Rayann Jaber is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Palm Beach Atlantic University and an extensive clinical background in critical care and gastroenterology. As a Sub-Investigator at Okeechobee Clinical Research, she applies her specialized expertise in chronic and infectious diseases to ensure meticulous protocol adherence and high-fidelity source documentation. Fully certified in GCP and Human Subjects Protection, she leverages her background in clinical outcomes research and patient education to provide a safe, professional, and evidence-based experience for all trial participants.
Jerri Torres - Phlebotomist
Jerri Torres is a highly skilled Certified Phlebotomy Technician with over two decades of experience in clinical diagnostics and patient care, including tenures at Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, and the VA Primary Care Clinic. As the lead Phlebotomist at Okeechobee Clinical Research, she manages biological sample collection and processing with strict precision according to study protocols and IATA safety standards. Fully certified in GCP and Human Subjects Protection, Jerri leverages her deep clinical background to ensure data integrity and a supportive environment for every trial participant.