Staff
John L. Francis, Ph.D. – Director
Debby Sutton – Assistant Administrative Director
Research Staff
Ali Amirkhosravi, Ph.D. – Principal Scientist
Todd Meyer, Ph.D. – Senior Research Scientist
Monica Davila, Ph.D. – Research Scientist
Enriqueta Coll, Ph.D. – Research Scientist
Alane Drexler – Clinical Research Coordinator
Millie Amaya – Senior Research Assistant
Hina Desai – Senior Research Assistant
Liza Robles – Research Assistant
Megan Hatfield – Research Assistant
Clinical Laboratory Staff
Ed Reyes – Chief Clinical Scientist
John Barranco – Senior Clinical Scientist
Kristin Rathmann – Clinical Scientist II
Claudia Barr – Clinical Scientist
Albert Sircar – Clinical Scientist
Eileen Spruill – Clinical Scientist
Joyce Pana – Clinical Scientist
Christina Ferguson – Clinical Scientist
Administrative Staff
Bonnie Halcomb – Office Coordinator
Agnese Bartlett – Laboratory Supplies Coordinator
Bill Demetree - Volunteer
John L. Francis, Ph.D. – Director
John Francis is the Director of the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research. Originally from the United Kingdom, he joined Florida Hospital from Southampton University Medical School in 1994. Dr. Francis' main research and clinical interests are in the areas of hemostasis and cancer, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, hypercoagulability, platelet function and whole blood approaches to coagulation testing. He is a member of the International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), The American Society for Hematology and the American Heart Association. He has also served as Treasurer of the North American Specialized Coagulation Organization (NASCOLA). Dr. Francis acts as a reviewer for more than a dozen journals in the field of hemostasis, thrombosis and cardiovascular medicine and was the 2009 Chair of the Region 2 Thrombosis Study Group for the American Heart Association. He was the Founding Editor of the International Journal, Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis and is currently on the Editorial Board of Thrombosis Research. Dr. Francis is a frequent lecturer on many aspects of hemostasis and thrombosis and has published more than 120 papers in this field. He also acts as a Consultant for several pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies and holds the title of Professor of Medical Education at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
e-mail: john.francis@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2444
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Debby Sutton – Assistant Administrative Director
Debby Sutton is the Assistant Administrative Director of the Center for Thrombosis Research. Originally from the United Kingdom, she joined Florida Hospital from Southampton University Hospitals in 1994. Debby has a strong background in medical laboratory technology and holds the Fellowship in Medical Laboratory Sciences from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (U.K.). She is also qualified as a Hematology Supervisor in the state of Florida and has published a number of scientific papers.
e-mail: debby.sutton@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2445
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Ali Amirkhosravi, Ph.D. – Principal Scientist
Dr. Amirkhosravi obtained his Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Portsmouth (United Kingdom) before reading for his Ph.D. degree in at the University of Southampton Medical School. He joined the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research in 1994 and now assumes day-to-day responsibility for the basic and translational research programs. As such, he works with a team of Ph.D. scientists who study the mechanisms by which blood coagulation and platelets are activated in certain diseases and how such activation contributes to disease processes, with a special focus on oncologic, cardiovascular, and autoimmune-related disorders.
e-mail: ali.amirkhosravi@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2443
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Todd Meyer, Ph.D. - Senior Research Scientist
Todd Meyer, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Scientist at Florida Hospital's Center for Thrombosis Research, working with a team of Ph.D. scientists who study the mechanisms by which blood clots contribute to certain disease processes, with a special focus on oncologic, cardiovascular, and autoimmune related disorders. Previously (1995-2001), Dr. Meyer studied the molecular mechanisms by which activated blood coagulation Factor VII affected the growth of laboratory cultured tumor cells, via a cell surface signaling receptor protein called Tissue Factor. More recently (2002-present), Dr. Meyer has been investigating the molecular mechanisms that may underlie fatal blood clots in patients receiving monoclonal antibody therapy. While thousands of patients are benefiting from such agents, some experience life-threatening side effects, including thrombosis. Dr. Meyer has proposed that blood platelets may play a vital role in these clots under certain circumstances. His laboratory research into the molecular mechanisms that may be involved promise hope for improving patient therapy.
e-mail: todd.meyer@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804.
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Monica Davila, Ph.D. – Research Scientist
After earning a medical degree in Venezuela, Monica entered the Ph.D. program at the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research. She came to the United States in 1998 to complete her research work at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Davila held a postdoctoral position in the same laboratory after graduating in 2002, and joined the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research in June 2005.
e-mail: monica.davila@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Enriqueta Coll, Ph.D. – Research Scientist
Enriqueta (Enry) joined the the Center for Thrombosis Research in August, 2005. Enry trained in Venezuela, where she earned an B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry from the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research. Enry recently completed her Ph.D. degree. Enry has considerable experience in a coagulation laboratory, and is currently working on several projects, including the development of thrombin generation assays.
e-mail: enriqueta.coll@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804.
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Millie Amaya – Senior Research Assistant
Mille Amaya was originally a member of the research team that developed the anti-platelet drug ReoPro. She joined the Center for Thrombosis Research in the mid 1990’s and provides extensive technical support to the Center’s research programs, especially in the areas of cell culture, in vivo experimentation and flow cytometry.
e-mail: mildred.amaya@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804.
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Hina Desai – Senior Research Assistant
Hina is a Senior Research Assistant in the basic research program of the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research.
e-mail: hina.desai@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Lisa Robles-Carillo – Senior Research Assistant
Liza Robles is originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico. After obtaining her Masters Degree in Molecular Biology and Microbiology she helped developed the molecular biology section of the Orange County Water Quality Laboratory in Orlando Florida. In 2006 she joined the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research where she currently conducts studies aimed at understanding the molecular and cellular biology processes leading to thrombosis in patients. In her spare time, Liza enjoys motorcycling and bicycling with her husband.
e-mail: liza.robles.carillo@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Meghan Hatfield – Research Assistant
Meghan Hatfield is originally from Southern Indiana. She attended Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO for her undergraduate studies in Biology and Forensic Science. In St. Louis Meghan interned at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Crime Laboratory. There she worked very important cases for the state. Meghan then went on to receive her Masters Degree in Molecular Biology and Microbiology at the University of Central Florida. She joined the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research in 2008, where she currently studies processes leading to thrombosis in patients. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys reading true crime novels and getting a tan on the beach.
e-mail: megan.hatfield@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Alane Drexler – Clinical Research Coordinator
Alane Drexler joined the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research from the Department of Clinical Performance Improvement in January 2002. She is an R.N. with extensive nursing experience and holds a Master's degree in psychology. Her nursing experience includes maternal-child, medical, and oncology nursing. She held positions in Nursing Staff Development and Quality Assessment. Alane served as a School of Practical Nursing Instructor. In this role, she was responsible for classroom courses and nursing clinical experience covering a wide range of areas. While in the Clinical Performance Improvement Department she coordinated a study of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in cardiovascular surgery. Alane is currently the Clinical Research Coordinator for the Center for Thrombosis Research. She has special interest and expertise in the area of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
e-mail: alane.drexler@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Ed Reyes – Manager, Clinical Coagulation Laboratory
Ed joined the Center for Thrombosis Research from his previous position as Laboratory Manager at the Watson Clinic, Lakeland, FL where he was responsible for the Main Clinic Laboratory and five Satellite Clinics. He has extensive experience in medical laboratory technology especially in the areas of Hematology and Microbiology, and currently manages the clinical Hemostasis and Thrombosis Laboratory. Ed is highly proficient in the art of diagnostic hemostasis testing and consulting. Ed holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Medicine from SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse New York.
e-mail: ed.reyes@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2889
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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John Barranco – Senior Clinical Scientist
John received his baccalaureate in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Vermont in 1997 and completed an internship at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont. After graduating and completing his internship he worked at the Vermont Department of Health in their Serology and Bacteriology laboratory. He then relocated to Orlando, Florida where he joined the Florida Hospital Celebration Laboratory and worked as a medical laboratory scientist. John is now Senior Clinical Scientist in the clinical laboratory at the Center for Thrombosis Research where he has special responsibility for education and training of staff and students in diagnostic hemostasis testing. John Barranco also holds a Supervisor’s License in the State of Florida.
e-mail: john.barranco@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2449
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Kristin Rathmann – Clinical Scientist II
Kristin holds a Master’s Degree in Medical Technology and a Supervisor’s License in the State of Florida.
e-mail: kristin.rathmann@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2449
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Claudia Barr – Clinical Scientist
Claudia is a Medical Technologist in the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Laboratory. Originally from Colombia, she is passionate about soccer.
e-mail: claudia.barr@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2449
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Albert Sircar – Clinical Scientist
Albert Sircar is originally from Bangladesh, and joined the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research in 2006. Graduated from Tennessee State University. He was previously a Medical Technologist at Lakeland Medical Center, MI. In his spare time, Albert likes gardening, reading and walking in the evening.
e-mail: albert.sircar@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2449
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Eileen Spruill – Clinical Scientist
Eileen Spruill is originally from Berrien Springs, Michigan. After graduating with a BSCLS from Andrews University in 2004, she moved to Orlando and worked for 3 years as a generalist at Florida Hospital East Orlando Laboratory. In September of 2007, she joined the ranks at the Center for Thrombosis Research. She is nationally certified as an MT(ASCP) and holds a Florida license in all five disciplines. Outside of work, Eileen likes traveling to new places, watching media, and experimenting in cooking.
e-mail: eileen.spruill@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2449
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Joyce Pana – Clinical Scientist
Joyce Pana joined the Thrombosis Research team this February 2008. She previously worked at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in the Philippines where she was born and raised. She holds certification for ASCP International and is licensed in 5 areas. Coming from a different country, she wants to try out new things and travel to different places during her free time.
e-mail: joyce.pana@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2449
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Christina Ferguson – Clinical Scientist
Christina (Chrissy) Ferguson joined the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research in July 2008. She was previously enlisted in the United States Air Force for 11 years as a Medical Laboratory Journeyman. Chrissy holds a Florida MT license in five disciplines. In her spare time, Chrissy enjoys hiking, reading, and relaxing in the Florida sunshine with her family.
e-mail: christina.ferguson@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2449
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Bonita Halcomb – Office Coordinator
Bonnie Halcomb manages and coordinates the office for smooth operations of the Center for Thrombosis Research, and is dedicated to meeting the needs of staff with enthusiasm. Among her day-to-day responsibilities, she reconciles and compiles financial reports for Thrombosis laboratory specimen testing, supervises volunteers, organizes meetings and fundraising events. She is also a Notary Public. Within the hospital, she is a Spiritual Ambassador, and a member of the FHOtography Committee. Additionally, since 1994 Bonnie has volunteered in the community as one of 150 singers of Messiah Choral Society. Among four counties in Florida and five other States, she lived on a Navel Base in the Panama Canal Zone, and also lived in the Netherlands, where she was a member of the Risvyk Synchronized Swimming Team and later became a Florida AAU coach for the sport. Three granddaughters keep her busy, but leisure time is spent on her passions of yoga, gardening, decorating, cooking, reading, and enjoying classical music.
e-mail: bonnie.halcomb@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, 32804
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Agnese Bartlett – Laboratory Supplies Coordinator
Agnese Bartlett holds the position of Laboratory Supplies Coordinator in the Florida Hospital Center for Thrombosis Research. She is an ex-medical technologist with extensive experience in blood banking.
email: agnese.bartlett@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-7238
fax: (407)-303-7247
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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Bill Demetree - Volunteer
Bill kindly volunteers his time to help the scientific and administrative staff of the Florida Hospital Institute of Thrombosis Research in a variety of different ways. These include helping to process lab reports, design and maintenance of a database for clinical research results, and numerous other tasks. He is also assisting the Center’s researchers on several projects in the laboratory.
e-mail: william.demetree@flhosp.org
phone: (407) 303-2440
fax: (407) 303-2441
mail: 2501 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 786, Orlando, FL 32804
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