Clinical Research Manager - Marie-Claire Fickenscher, A.S., C.C.R.P.
Marie-Claire began working for Hoag Orthopedics in early 2017 as a Clinical
Research Coordinator. Prior to joining Hoag Orthopedics, Marie-Claire
worked at an Independent Review Board (IRB) for six years where she helped
protect the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in clinical
research. Throughout her time working at an IRB, Marie-Claire worked with
major sponsors, ranging from large pharmaceutical corporations and device
manufactures to small and growing biotechnology companies, as well as
many industry leading contract research organizations (CROs). During this
time, Marie-Claire gained a deep knowledge of all stages of clinical trials
and mastered FDA regulations pertaining to clinical research.
Since joining Hoag Orthopedics, Marie-Claire has helped grow the research
program by sharing her extensive IRB and regulatory knowledge to strengthen
the research integrity. Marie-Claire has been integral in drafting orthopedic
protocols and consent forms. She has begun managing multiple projects
and administers informed consent and study questionnaires to these patients
at numerous clinics. Marie-Claire enjoys working in clinical research
as it plays a vital part in advancing healthcare and finding ways to help
people live longer and more robust lives.
Marie-Claire received an Associate of Science degree in 2004 from Perimeter
College at Georgia State University. Before finding her love of research,
Marie-Claire had eight years’ experience in customer service and
office management. Outside of Hoag Orthopedics, Marie-Claire enjoys beating
her husband at board games, bicycling local greenways, reading, and playing
with her goldendoodle, Lucy.
Clinical Research Coordinator - Marlee Fruto, M.S.

Marlee recently joined our team in July 2020 as a Clinical Research Coordinator.
She will help facilitate clinical trials across various orthopedic specialties
in addition to managing the data collection for several studies.
Marlee graduated magna cum laude from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
in 2017 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and earned her M.S. in Chemistry from
the University of Oregon in 2018. Following the completion of her master’s
degree, Marlee was subsequently hired to be the Research Coordinator for
the Muscle Cellular Biology Lab (MCBL) within the Department of Human
Physiology at the University of Oregon. At the MCBL, Marlee coordinated
studies which investigated human skeletal muscle at the cellular and metabolic
level. The overarching goal of these studies was to identify mechanisms
that can explain age-related and acute changes to skeletal muscle structure
and function in order to improve rehabilitation outcomes in older adults
at risk for physical disability. Marlee is excited to apply the skills
she developed at the MCBL to her new role of Clinical Research Coordinator
for Hoag Orthopedics during this year before she goes to medical school.
Marlee has committed to attend Keck School of Medicine of USC for medical
school and will start there next August (2021). She aspires to be an orthopedic surgeon.
In her recently acquired free time, Marlee enjoys playing basketball, practicing
Tahitian dance, visiting her boyfriend in Toronto, and catching up on sleep.
Clinical Research Coordinator - Edward (Teddy) James Quilligan, B.S.
Teddy began working for Hoag Orthopedics in late 2016 as a research coordinator.
Teddy has always had enthusiasm for the study of orthopedics and medical
devices in general. He received his degree in Biomedical Research from
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He has participated
in several medical device engineering projects and has always had a passion
for research. His experience includes collaborating on start up products
for endocrinology, orthopedic surgeons, and vascular surgeons.
Since joining Hoag Orthopedics, Teddy has helped to facilitate the ongoing
of several projects. His focus is on spine surgery studies. He has helped
in various studies that will progress orthopedic patient outcomes such
as preserving spine alignment goals for post spine surgery patients.
Outside of Hoag Orthopedics, Teddy enjoys going to live concerts, surfing,
camping and recording music.
Clinical Research Coordinator - Madeline Stewart, M.S.

Madeline joined Hoag Orthopedics in the fall of 2019 as a Clinical Research
Coordinator. In this role, she is responsible for supporting both investigator-initiated
and sponsored clinical trials across Sports Medicine, Spine, and Total
Joint orthopedic specialties. As a research coordinator, she enjoys being
able to spend time with patients while balancing multiple projects.
Madeline received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from University of California,
Irvine (UCI) and completed her M.S. in Biomedical Sciences in the spring
of 2019. While at UCI, she had the opportunity to work on multiple research
studies focusing on children with autism and lead an internship program
advising undergraduate and graduate students. During her master’s
program, she served her peers in the Graduate Curriculum Committee and
WASC Senior College and University Committee. With her eagerness to lead,
learn, and spend time with patients, Madeline initially aspired to become
a physician. However, she later discovered her passion for clinical research
during her time at Edwards Lifesciences and graduate school.
Outside of clinical research, Madeline loves eating out, going to Disneyland
with her fiancé, reading, and spending time with family.
Clinical Data Coordinator - Noemi Urquiza, B.A.
Noemi began working at Hoag Orthopedics at the start of 2018. As a Clinical
Data Coordinator, she is responsible gathering data from source documents,
entering data, and supporting research activities across the three research
specialties.
Noemi graduated in 2017 from Harvard College with a B.A. in Neurobiology;
Mind, Brain, and Behavior Track. While completing her degree, Noemi worked
as a student researcher on visual event-related potential data analysis
in the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratories at Boston Children’s
Hospital. Noemi was the recipient of the 2015 and 2016 Harvard College
Research Program grant.
She is deciding on a career in academia or medicine before applying to
graduate or medical school. She is eager to learn more about clinical
research and orthopedics. Noemi has been practicing martial arts since
she was five and in her spare time likes to compete in tournaments. She
also enjoys running, searching for the best cheap eats in Orange County,
playing violin covers of video game music, and volunteering in the local
community.