Clinical Trial Resource Center

Therapeutic Areas

Cardiology/Vascular Diseases
Endocrinology
Family Medicine
Gastroenterology
Immunology
Infections and Infectious Diseases
Musculoskeletal
Neurology
Pediatrics/Neonatology
Psychiatry/Psychology
Rheumatology
Sleep
Urology

Center Overview

Chicago Research Center, Inc (CRC) is a privately owned and operated dedicated research site located on the Northwest side of Chicago. We are a fully staffed with experienced investigators, coordinators, medical assistants, and registered sleep technologists and specialize in phase II, III, and IV clinical trials in an array of therapeutic areas, including psychiatry, general medicine, and sleep.

Being in the third most populated American city and in a metropolitan area of over 9 million people from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds, gives us a vast potential subject pool in which to draw. In fact, our database consists solely of people whom have contacted us because they are interested in participating in research. We also have a part-time recruiter to help with subject identification.

We are easily accessible to both subjects and Sponsors and CROs as we are located 10 miles from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, 3 miles from Interstate 90 as well as near CTA and Metra. We also have a free parking lot onsite.

Mission Statement

CRC’s mission is to provide comprehensive clinical research services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Our experienced and dedicated medical professionals conduct clinical research trials with compassion and respect for our research participants. Our approach is uncompromising in that we exceed sponsor expectations for reliability and dependability, subject enrollment, human protection and overall performance.

Clinical Research Experience

Since opening in 2005, CRC has conducted over 50 studies in an array of different specialties, including:

Insomnia
Shift Work Disorder
Restless Legs Syndrome
Sleep apnea
Narcolepsy
Stuttering

Fibromyalgia
Migraine
Postherpetic Neuralgia
Breakthrough cancer pain

Major Depressive Disorder
General Anxiety Disorder
Decreased Sexual Desire and Distress
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Essential Hypertension
Hot Flashes
Overactive Bladder

CRC has worked with the following:

Facility Description

CRC is located at the 3401 N Central Avenue medical building. Our facilities include elevator service and private, off-street, parking to accommodate our clients. The facility houses a phlebotomy lab, exam rooms, full medical clinic, sleep lab, conference rooms and monitoring space. Public transportation to the site is available and the facility is just 2 blocks away from Our Lady Of Resurrection Hospital.

We operate a 6 bed sleep lab dedicated solely to conducting clinical research PSG's, MWT's and MSLT's. The lab is staffed by registered sleep technicians well versed in clinical research sleep protocols and utilizes the latest software and amplifiers from Sandman Sleep Systems.

Additional capabilities include:
Locked Drug Storage
Room Temperature and Refrigerated Centrifuge
Freezer (-20°) and dry ice
Electrocardiogram
Daily Temperature Log Maintenance
On-Site Record Archiving
DEA license
High Speed Wired and Wireless Internet
Copy, Fax, Scanner Machine
Utilize Central IRB
EDC
Generous Monitoring Facilities

Investigator Experience

Brett Plyler, MD
Dr. Brett Plyler is board certified in both family practice and psychiatry. Dr. Plyler is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and completed his Psychiatric residency at Rush St. Luke’s Presbyterian Medical Center. He has a strong interest in psychoanalysis and is currently attending the Institute for Psychoanalysis in Chicago.

Malgorzata Szyfer, M.D.
Dr. Szyfer completed medical school at the Medical Academy of Gdansk, Poland. Before coming to the U.S. she worked as a pediatrician and neonatologist at the institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Neonatology Department, Medical Academy of Gdansk. Serving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and as a lecture/course instructor for the Department of Neonatology. Dr. Szyfer completed her U.S. residencies at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston IL. and at Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago. She is board eligible in Family practice and is board certified in neonatology and pediatrics in Poland. Dr. Szyfer’s research interests include Diabetes and Hypertension.

Mimi Van Der Leden M.D. Ph.D
A board certified family medicine practitioner, Dr. Van Der Leden completed her residency at MacNeal hospital in Berwyn, IL and received her Doctorate of Medicine from University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Van Der Leden also received a Ph.D from University of Illinois and a Master’s of Science from McGill University in Montreal. Her professional interests include women’s health, post partum depression and other psychiatric disease.

Jane Dyonzak, Ph.D.
Dr. Jane Dyonzak is a Clinical Psychologist and board certified with the American Board of Sleep Medicine. She received her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. In addition to her research activities, Dr. Dyonzak is partnered in the Insomnia Treatment Specialist, Ltd., on the clinical staff of the Sleep Disorders Center at Holy Family Medical Center and a consultant to the sleep center at Evanston Hospital. Dr. Dyonzak has published a dozen articles in leading medical journals on the topics of sleep. She has conducted clinical trials with funding from both the private and public sectors.

Yuhwen Chow, M.D.
Doctor Yuhwen Chow received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in psychology from the National Taiwan University before immigrating to the United States. She shortly thereafter completed her Master’s of Psychology from Purdue University. She received her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her residency in psychiatry at the University of Chicago Hospital. In addition to her work at Chicago Research Center Dr. Chow has a private psychiatric practice. Her professional interests include insight oriented therapy and woman’s health.

Michael McNett M.D.
Dr. Michael McNett is a board certified family practice doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pain disorders. A graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Dr. McNett is the former CEO of The Center for Fibromyalgia, Fatigue and Chronic pain. Dr. McNett is a thought leader and speaker for the pharmaceutical industry as well as a member of The American Academy of Family Physicians, The American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Academy of Pain Management. He brings his clinical research experience in fibromyalgia and chronic pain to Chicago Research Center.

Staff Expertise

Stacy Malm, LCPC - President
Stacy has extensive experience as Senior Clinical Research Coordinator and Sub-Investigator involved with all aspects of pharmaceutical sponsored research from inception to completion. She has recruited over 60 studies, served as a consultant to start up research companies and established relationships with a multitude of pharmaceutical companies and CRO’s. Mrs. Malm received her B.A. in psychology from Bradley University graduating summa cum laude and completed her Master’s degree at the Illinois School for Professional Psychology. She is currently a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois and a certified psychiatric rater.

Eric Malm, LCSW – Vice President
As Senior Clinical Research Coordinator, Eric has been responsible for the successful start up, management and completion of many challenging clinical trials. He has been the highest enroller for the majority of these research trials and is a seasoned coordinator and sub-investigator. Mr. Malm has been involved in over 60 clinical trials in the areas of psychiatry, sleep medicine and internal medicine. He has been rater-qualified on a number of rater tools and has worked extensively with numerous clinical trial sub-contractors. Mr. Malm graduated, cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He completed his Master’s degree in social work at Loyola University Chicago. He is an active and licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois and a certified psychiatric rater.

Kristin Collins – Clinical Research Coordinator
Ms. Collins graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a B.S. in Biology. After completing 2 years of medical school at the University of Illinois, Chicago, she started working in the research industry at a research site identification company. Since starting at CRC in fall 2010, she has completed the “CRC Basic Training: A Practical Introduction to the Clinical Research Coordinator Role” course at Northwestern University.

Matthew Conetta, MA LPC – Subject Recruitment / Scale Administrator
Mr. Conetta graduated from Catholic University in 2004 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. He completed his Master’s in Counseling in 2009 and is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at the Adler School of Psychology. After clinical experience in a children’s hospital, a community mental health, and a correctional setting, Mr. Conetta joined Chicago Research Center to assist with subject recruitiment and measurement administration.

Grace Ptasznik, RPSGT – Sleep Technician
Ms. Ptasznik is a Registered Polysomnographic Technician who has been performing sleep studies since 1988. She is adept at performing all nature of studies including MSLT’s, MWT’s and oxygen titrations. In addition to her work at Chicago Research Center, Ms. Ptasznik is currently on staff with the sleep laboratory at Thorek Hospital. She has experience working with Nihon-Koden, Grass and Sandman Sleep systems. She is currently scorer certified with Clinilabs and the Henry Ford sleep center.

Lucyna Aklar – Sleep Technician
Ms. Aklar received her Electroneurodiagnostic Technician diploma from Medical Careers Institute in 2005. She has experience working with Sandman Sleep systems and is currently scorer certified with Clinilabs.

Dorota M Poliskevych, RPSGT – Sleep Technician
Ms. Poliskevych became a RPSGT in 2003. She currently conducts sleep studies at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge IL and Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines IL. In addition to being a registered polysomnographic technician, Ms. Poliskevych also is a certified medical assistant.

Contact Center

If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss placing a clinical trial there, please complete and send the email form below. A representative from the research center will then follow up with you.