Neonatal Research Institute
Neonatal Research Institute Team
The Neonatal Research Institute (NRI) at Sharp is made up of a caring, dedicated research staff whose shared mission is to give fragile newborns the very best start in life.
Learn how you can help us support at-risk newborns today.
Meet the team.

Director
Senior research consultant
Dr. Neil Finer
Medical director, Sharp HealthCare
Co-director, Neurological Intensive Care for Newborns Program
Dr. MJ Harbert
Manager
Alona Diem
Research coordinators
Gabi Aliyev, DNP, MSN Ed, RNC-MNN
Kathy Arnell, RNC
Felix Ines, RCP-RRT
Catherine Salcido, BS
Research associates
Kierstin Dowden, RCP-RRT
Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, BS
Lukas Linares
Michael Lowry, BA
Elise Mischke, BS
Alexis Rosete, BS
Clinical data management specialist
Wade Rich, BSHS, RRT, CCRC
Data manager
Ana Morales, BA, MPH
Jane Steen, RN
Research pharmacist
Jason Sauberan, PharmD
Research data programmer
Shashank Sanjay
Regulatory coordinator
Marcie Portillo
Research investigator
Judith S. Mercer, PhD, FACNM
Research statistician
Debra Poeltler, PhD, MPH, RN, CCRC