NCRD Staff
Eileen Maloney-Wilensky, MSN, RN, CRNP
Director, Neurosurgery Clinical Research Division, In-House
CRNP/PA Program
The NCRD was established in December 2001 under the direction of Eileen Maloney-Wilensky. Ms. Maloney-Wilensky obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA) and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a critical care nurse with over 21 years of experience. Ms. Maloney-Wilensky holds certification as a Critical Care Nurse, Neuroscience Nurse, and is board certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Among her many accomplishments, she has also been responsible for establishing collaborative research efforts both within the University and with industry that has led to the development of promising new neurosurgical critical care technology and Neurosurgical ICU protocols. Ms. Maloney-Wilensky oversees all clinical trials in the department that includes patients who have brain tumors, aneurysms, subarachnoid hemorrhages traumatic brain injuries, movement disorders and spine syndromes.
Joanna Lopinto, BSN, RN, CCRP
Research Nurse
Joanna Lopinto graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Anthropology in 2000. She worked full-time as a research coordinator in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology while pursuing her nursing degree from Penn. Joanna completed her BSN in December 2003. She worked in the Medical ICU and the General Clinical Research Center before coming to the Department of Neurosurgery.
Joanna is a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) through the Society of Clinical Research Associates, and is currently pursuing a Master of Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. As a Research Nurse for the NCRD, Joanna manages all aspects of brain tumor clinical trials. In addition, she coordinates various research projects for the department pertaining to normal pressure hydrocephalus, tissue banking, and chart reviews.
Eileen MacMurtrie, MSN, CNRN
Research Nurse
Eileen MacMurtrie graduated from Sweet Briar College with an AB in Art History in 1996; she returned to nursing school in 1998 and graduated with a BSN from The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in 2000. After working at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Neuro-Critical Care Unit and Neuro-Progressive Care Unit, she joined Penn’s staff in the Neuro-Trauma SICU in 2003. She transitioned to the Neurosurgery Clinical Research Division in 2005.
Eileen is a Certified Neuroscience Nurse and recently graduated from Villanova University with a Master’s in the Science of Nursing with a concentration on Adult Health. As a research nurse for the NCRD, Eileen shares the responsibilities for coordinating and managing the ICU protocols pertaining to subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury, and helps to coordinate various other projects within the Department of Neurosurgery.
Marie Kerr
Clinical Research Coordinator
Marie has been a part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System within the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, for over 20 years. She has played a pivotal role in coordinating care for patients undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation since it's inception in 1995. She recently has been named Coordinator for the Center of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery under the direction of Gordon Baltuch, MD, PhD.
Marie has worked closely with Dr. Baltuch for the past 9 years coordinating all aspects of care associated with Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. On any given day she may interact with patients, physicians from multiple disciplines, health care providers, insurance companies, and other members of the research team. Included in her role as Coordinator, Marie maintains all databases required for the numerous trials conducted by the Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery.
Justin M. Plaum, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator/Webmaster
Justin received his Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science with concentrations in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology from The Johns Hopkins University in 2006. Currently, he is in charge of coordinating several different research projects, varying from database management to infrared cerebral hematoma scanning in the trauma bay. Justin is also the Webmaster for the Neurosurgery Department’s website.
Yolanda Robinson
Regulatory Compliance and Monitoring Specialist
Yolanda has more than 15 years of research experience within the University of Pennsylvania infrastructure. She has worked within the regulatory sector in the department of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, reviewing protocols and monitoring for training, safety and regulatory compliance. Yolanda has also worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator within the department of Radiation Oncology.
Yolanda is responsible for the regulatory compliance of all clinical trials supported by the NCRD. As part of her role as a local compliance officer, Yolanda interfaces regularly with the University’s ethics committees in order to provide the highest level of protection for the subjects who participate in clinical trials through the Department of Neurosurgery.
Top ^
