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 45 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 four 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 18 subject matter experts who support CRDB, Medidata, and REDCap Protocol builds. This unit 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).
• Data Architecture
  The CRIT Data Architecture team consists of eight experienced staff who build, facilitate, and collaborate on data-related initiatives for the clinical research community at MSK. The goals of the team are to help research staff reduce data redundancies and data-entry errors, while providing the tools to access and assess data more effectively to ultimately improve staff efficiency. The team’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, implementing hospital-wide data integrations, creating dashboards and reports, and managing electronic data submissions. The team also works closely with the Information Systems (IS) Data Solutions team to ensure no duplication of effort and to provide feedback for a portion of their project portfolio.
• Engineering
  The IT Software Engineering team consists of seven dedicated software engineers committed to revolutionizing clinical research through innovative, high-impact applications. Guided by Agile principles and software development best practices, we combine technical excellence, domain expertise, and a spirit of collaboration to deliver robust, user-centric solutions that empower clinical research staff and drive operational efficiency. By embracing adaptability and continuous innovation, we transform complex challenges into opportunities, enabling groundbreaking advancements and shaping the future of 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. Renata Panchal leads a team of 8 product subject matter experts. 

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.

Joseph Lengfellner, B.S.
Sr Director, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Joseph (Joe) Lengfellner is a seasoned Digital Health Innovator with over 15 years of experience in transforming clinical research through cutting-edge technology solutions. As Senior Director of Clinical Research Informatics & Technology, he leads a team of about 40 digital health and information technology professionals who support MSK’s global clinical research administration.

Joe joined MSK in 2008, and he has been at the forefront of deploying technologies that enhance the patient and clinician experience, streamline operations, and foster innovative clinical trials. With a deep expertise in FHIR, eCOA, and a proven track record in leading large, dynamic teams, he continues to implement a digital roadmap that underscores the intersection of healthcare and IT for improved research outcomes.

Previously, Joe served as a research assistant at SUNY Stony Brook. He received his BS degree in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook.

Renata Panchal, M.S.
Director of Product Management, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Renata Panchal leads the product management team in charge of IT products and technology solutions supporting MSK’s clinical research program.

Renata brings an innovation-focused systems thinking approach to oncology research trials. Her work with CRIT is informed by her clinical research experience, having worked in clinical research operations for eight years prior to joining the team.   

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, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Kristopher Kaufman leads a diverse group of data engineers and business intelligence analysts to help Clinical Research Administration reduce data redundancies and increase optimization of processes through automation, centralizing data, and generating insights with various reporting and dashboarding platforms.

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 23 years of experience working in oncology research information technology.    

Hector Pacheco
Senior Manager of IT Software Engineering, Clinical Research Information & Technology

Hector Pacheco leads a unit of seven skilled engineers dedicated to delivering impactful clinical research applications. He fosters a collaborative, innovative environment, guiding the team in Agile practices and software development best practices. By promoting adaptability, user-centric design, and continuous improvement, Hector ensures the team consistently delivers high-value solutions that transform clinical research.

Hector Pacheco holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Queens College. With nearly 20 years of diverse experience in software development across multiple industries, he has spent the past 12 years specializing in clinical research, leveraging his expertise to build innovative solutions that drive advancements in the field.

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

Anna Patruno is a Product Manager in MSK’s CRIT team. Since April 2022, she has been leading the EHR2EDC initiative, collaborating closely with both internal and external stakeholders to improve data entry processes within the clinical research industry.

Anna has a decade of experience driving impactful change within the research and healthcare industries. Prior to joining CRIT, she was an integral member of the Genomics Core Facility within MSK’s Sloan Kettering Institute. She began her career as a Research Technician and evolved into a Software Engineer, developing many of the lab’s digital products.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Science degree 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.

Cenia Thomas, BS
Product Manager, Clinical Research Informatics & Technology

Cenia Thomas is a Product Manager on the CRIT team. Since June 2021, she has led its data transformation initiative, collaborating closely with both internal and external stakeholders and registries such as CIBMTR to facilitate electronic data transfer, with the goal of eliminating manual data abstraction and data entry, thus reducing data entry errors.

Prior to joining MSK, Cenia was a product manager at Montefiore Health System, where she led a team and managed systems crucial to cardiology. Cenia has over 18 years of experience in Healthcare IT, supporting both clinical and financial systems, developing processes, and optimizing workflows.