Meet Chris, SVP of Parexel's Cell and Gene Therapy Center of Excellence

Can you tell the readers a little more about yourself?

I am a born and raised New Orleans native with a love of cooking and gardening inherited from my Sicilian ancestry, a fondness for dressing for the occasion, and above all, an insatiable thirst for knowledge and continuous education. This passion for learning has been the driving force throughout my life. Both my parents were teachers and professors, instilling in me a deep respect for education from an early age.

My academic journey has been extensive and diverse. I earned my undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech, followed by a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from Wake Forest. I then completed my postdoctoral training in the Division of Neurosurgery at Duke, where I worked on cell therapies for patients with malignant glioma. Not content to rest on my laurels, I'm currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from NC State, always seeking to expand my knowledge and skills.

Throughout this educational odyssey, I've maintained a balanced personal life, having been married for 17 years and raising two teenage girls. In March 2022, I joined Parexel and now serve as SVP in Parexel's Global Medical Services organization in the Cell and Gene Therapy Center of Excellence (CAGT COE).

My commitment to lifelong learning extends beyond my professional life. I actively volunteer with several organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House, Catholic Parish Outreach, Oak City Cares, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). These experiences continue to teach me valuable lessons about community and service.  

Reflecting on your work here at Parexel, what are you most proud of and why?

Lifelong education and innovation are the lifeblood of any good organization. Having a passion for what you do is the essence of a good career and necessitates lifelong learning and innovation. I hope that the CAGT COE will continue to learn and innovate, and we have been humbled to see how many at Parexel have enthusiastically joined in on that journey with us.

What do you think is the most important skill you bring to your team?

Passion for clinical research. Everything else is a distant second place. 

What is one way you always keep “Patients First?”

I think about my dad and his oncologist, who took me aside in the cancer ward shortly before my dad’s passing to apologize that he could not do more for my dad. I cried for years for both of those men. That was ‘the’ moment for me, for this life. Authentically live the journey for your patient and you will show up for work every day with a sense of urgency.

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