Clinical Research Informatics & Technology at MSK

The CRIT team combines cutting-edge technology with deep expertise as it manages essential clinical research administration (CRA) functions and seeks to transform clinical research at MSK—and across the industry. Backed by 42 dedicated specialists, we streamline workflows, elevate data quality, and drive innovation to set new standards in clinical research operations.  We are committed to:

• Efficiency: Developing and utilizing simplified systems and seamless data management to eliminate redundancies.
• Quality: Identifying and applying smarter tools to deliver cleaner, more reliable data.
• Innovation: Pioneering the adoption of new technologies to meet evolving research demands and shape the future of clinical trials.

To achieve this mission, CRIT is comprised of three units that develop new solutions and enhance current CRA systems to meet the clinical research enterprise’s goals and needs.

• Application Services
  CRIT Application Services is staffed by 20 subject matter experts who support CTMS, CRDB, Medidata, REDCap, clinicaltrials.gov/CTRP reporting and CRIT system support. Application Services also supports the integration between clinical research systems and other enterprise-wide systems, as well as the building and enhancement of systems to support Clinical Research Administration (CRA).
• CRIT Engineering
  The Engineering team focuses on reducing data redundancies and errors, improving data accessibility and usability, and enhancing operational efficiency through interoperability, robust integrations, dashboards & reporting solutions, and user-centric software applications. The team delivers secure, high-impact, and reliable technology solutions that transform complex research challenges into streamlined, efficient workflows. By Combining data strategy with modern software engineering, the group enables informed decision-making, strengthens research operations, and supports groundbreaking advancements in clinical research.
• Product Management
  The CRIT Product Management team’s priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable clinical research software and products through an Agile framework. This team, which includes eight product subject-matter experts, translates user needs into transformative digital products that improve workflows, quality, cost, and the overall experience of clinical research for our customers.  

On a global scale, there is still much to be accomplished in terms of improving all aspects of clinical research administration.

But there is so much potential—and MSK and its CRIT team are working to achieve this through our institution-wide commitment to innovation. Our current areas of activity include initiatives aimed at improving data collection and accuracy, facilitating communication with industry sponsors and regulators, and applying AI and other digital health technologies to reducing inefficiencies. As always, our all-important focus is on our patients and their healthcare outcomes.

In related activities, MSK is a global leader in the HL7-FHIR transfer of clinical research data space. As such, CRIT’s team of experts regularly provide insights and subject matter expertise on a variety of external consortia.  Our clinical research experts serve on the Vulcan HL7 FHIR Accelerator Steering Committee and as Implementation Working Group Co-Chair; and as SCDM eSource Implementation Consortium Co-Chair. Additionally, we offer strategic insights and thought leadership through podcasts, blogs, conference presentations, and publications in academic journals.

Renata Panchal, M.S.
Interim Sr Director, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology 

Renata Panchal is a seasoned Digital Health Innovator with over 10 years of experience in transforming clinical research through cutting edge technology solutions. As Senior Director of Clinical Research Informatics and Technology, she leads a team of about 40 digital health and information technology professionals who support MSK’s global clinical trials administration. 

Renata joined MSK in 2005, and she brings an innovation-focused systems thinking approach to oncology research trials. Renata has been at the forefront of deploying technologies that enhance patient and clinician experience, streamline operations, and foster innovative clinical trials. Her work with CRIT is informed by her clinical research experience, having worked in clinical research operations for six years prior to joining the team. With a proven track record in leading large, dynamic teams, she continues to implement a digital roadmap that underscores the intersection of healthcare IT for improved research outcomes. 

Renata holds a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University. 

Michael Buckley, MS, MBA
Associate Director of Product Management, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Michael Buckley (Mike) has served as CRIT’s Associate Director of Product Management since October 2022. In this role, he leads diverse teams who translate user needs into transformative digital products that improve the quality, cost, and experience of healthcare for MSK clinical research customers.

Michael joined MSK in 2008. He served as the Manager of Enterprise Clinical Research Innovation (2014-2022) and, earlier, as Manager of the Department of Medicine Clinical Trials Office.  Prior to joining MSK, Michael was Associate Research Scientist and Manager of the Clinical Core Laboratories of The NYU School of Medicine’s Cancer Institute, which included the radiochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics core facilities. 

Michael holds a BS in Chemistry from Allegheny College, an MS in Biology from NYU, and an MBA, with a specialization in high technology, from Northeastern University. With more than 20 years of experience in oncology research, he currently serves as a Steering Committee Member, HL7 Vulcan; he is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chair, of the Society for Clinical Data Management’s eSource Implementation Consortium.

Dawn Caron-Fabio, MA
Associate Director of Application Services, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Dawn Caron-Fabio has more than 25 years of clinical research IT experience. In her current role, she manages the teams responsible for Medidata, CTMS, REDCap, Specimen Banking Systems, CRIT system support, and clinicaltrials.gov data management.

Dawn holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from Temple University and a BA degree in Mathematics and Sociology from Binghamton University.

Kristopher Kaufman, MS CIS
Associate Director of Data Architecture and IT Software Engineering, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Kristopher Kaufman leads a diverse group of data, analytics, and software engineers with a focus on helping Clinical Research Administration reduce data redundancies and increase optimization of processes through automation, centralizing data, generating insights, and building impactful applications.

Kris holds a BS in Biology from Binghamton University and a MS in Computer Information Systems, with concentrations in Database Management, Business Intelligence, and Information Technology Project Management from Boston University. Kristopher has more than 24 years of experience working in oncology research information technology.  

Anna Patruno, BS
Product Manager, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Anna Patruno is a Product Manager in CRIT, where she leads product strategy for EHR‑to‑EDC integration, the FHIR platform, and the Direct Data Exchange Program. Her work focuses on advancing standards‑based interoperability and enabling reliable data exchange for clinical research.

With a background in high‑throughput genomics, software engineering, and product management, Anna brings a Lean‑informed, systems‑level approach to interoperability challenges. She collaborates closely with research sponsors, technology partners, and internal teams to build scalable solutions that improve workflow efficiency, minimize site burden, and accelerate clinical trials.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in Neuroscience, from Marymount Manhattan College.

Saif Siamawalla, MHA
Product Manager, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Saif Siamawalla is CRIT’s Product Manager in charge of CR Financials and Research Nonbillables. He has served in this role since June 2022, collaborating closely with the Budgets, Contracts, and RNB teams to pinpoint major obstacles within their workflows and pave the way for integration of technology solutions.

With a focus on solutions aimed at streamlining repetitive tasks through automation or enhance user experience, Saif has spearheaded the development and implementation of a diverse array of innovative products within the CR Finance sphere, while also aiding in the important challenge of modernizing legacy applications. Prior to joining MSK, Saif was a Product Manager at New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he worked on the organization’s digital initiative by building AI products for various clinical teams.

Saif received his Master’s degree in Health Administration from Rutgers University in December 2022. Among his IT-related credentials, he is a Certified Scrum Master, SAFe 6 Product Manager, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.