Dr. Gary S. Firestein, Director, CII
Dr. Firestein is a Professor of Medicine at UCSD and joined the faculty at UCSD in 1989. In 1992, Dr. Firestein was recruited to Gensia, Inc. as Director of Immunology where he supervised drug discovery efforts in inflammation. In 1996, he returned to UCSD and, in 1998 was named Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology. Dr. Firestein’s research interest  at UCSD has focused on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.  In 1998, Dr. Firestein received the prestigious Carol-Nachman Prize for outstanding contributions to rheumatology research. Dr. Firestein has written over 180 articles and has edited or written three books. He served as a member and of the FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee from 2000 to 2004.

Dr. Ravindra Mehta, Director, Education Unit
Dr. Mehta is a Professor of Medicine and the Associate Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Medicine at UCSD. He is the Director of the Clinical Research Enhancement through Supplemental Training (CREST) Program. He is an active clinical researcher and has conducted many clinical trials in acute renal failure. Dr Mehta  has developed multidisciplinary teaching programs and trained a  wide spectrum of individuals ranging from medical students to junior faculty. He has worked with the numerous international societies  to develop courses for fellows and practicing physicians in clinical nephrology and dialysis techniques. In 2003, Dr. Mehta was awarded School of Medicine Faculty teaching Award for his achievements in house staff training.

Dr. Arthur Kavanaugh, Director, Clinical Trials Unit
Dr. Arthur Kavanaugh is a Professor of Medicine at UCSD with fourteen years experience conducting clinical and translational research. He is an internationally recognized clinical researcher, especially related to novel therapies for autoimmune diseases. He has organized numerous teaching conferences nationally and internationally, and has developed an instructional program for the standardization of joint physical examination related to clinical trials. Dr. Kavanaugh is  an active researcher, and has conducted more than seventy-five clinical trials. He remains very active in national societies, including the American College of Rheumatology and the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.

Dr. Robert Mattrey, Director, Core Unit
Dr. Mattrey is a Professor of Radiology at UCSD. His pioneering work  in ECG-gated Computed Tomography of the heart earned him the Association of University Radiologist Memorial Award in 1982. As  the chief of CT and Body MRI at UCSD, he has developed several new imaging applications. His major field of interest has been in  contrast media with specific expertise in the application of perfluorocarbon compounds in diagnostic imaging. He initiated an institutionwide effort in molecular and cellular imaging to detect the evaluate cell function and local enzymatic activity.

Dr. Salvatore Albani, Director, Translational Research Unit
Dr. Albani is a Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and has served on the faculty  at UCSD since 1993. In 1999, he founded the biotech company Androclus Therapeutics. Dr. Albani's main interest is in modulation of immune responses for therapeutic purposes. In developing novel technologies, Dr. Albani has gained hands-on specific expertise in the itinerary which leads a scientific concept to testing its validity in a clinical setting. Dr. Albani has received several international awards in recognition of his work, which has been published in the top medical research journals. Dr. Albani is also an inventor in eighty patents.

Ken Tomory, Administrator, Administrative Unit
Ken Tomory is a Senior Administrative Analyst at UCSD. He holds a B.A. in Communications from UNLV with an outside concentration  in business management. He came to UCSD in August of 1999. He has managed funds for the divisions of Endocrinology and General Medicine. He was the division administrator for the Dermatology  division and for the Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology division prior to becoming the CII Administrator. He has experience in working in the grant and fund management realm, the clinical arena, research and clinical postdoctoral programs, and being the administrator for various levels of staff management. He serves on various committees across campus including the Special Events Council; Organized Research Unit Business Administrators; Health Sciences Administrators and Human Resources Group; the Office of Post Award Administrations Group and serves as the Vice Chair of the UCSD Staff Association representing approximately 14,000 staff  to the administration, faculty and students.

Angela Fornataro McMahill, Director, Clinical Trials Administrative Services and Research Compliance Office 
Angela Fornataro McMahill, is the Director of the UCSD Clinical Trials Administrative Services and Research Compliance Office for the UCSD Healthcare Enterprise and School of Medicine.  She joined UCSD in 1995.  Ms. McMahill holds a Doctor of Juris Prudence, is a Certified Compliance Professional and a Certified Clinical Research Associate.  She has over ten years of experience in an academic medical center with extensive experience in research compliance and research administration from both the site and institutional perspective.  Ms. McMahill has presented at numerous National Conferences, is actively involved in national research societies and organizations, served at the President of the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, as well as Chairs and serves on multiple Committees at UCSD.