Introducing two of Accelagen’s new Clinical Project Managers, driving innovation in rare disease and global clinical trials.

At Accelagen, we pride ourselves on delivering clinical trial solutions that not only meet the highest industry standards but also push the boundaries of what’s possible to accelerate human health and wellness. 

To support our growing portfolio of innovative projects, we are thrilled to introduce two exceptional additions to our Project Management team—Nelson Sousa Santos and Marie Janik, both of whom bring extensive experience and a passion for impactful research. 

Relishing the opportunity to make a meaningful difference

With a career spanning clinical nursing, research coordination, and project management, Nelson Sousa Santos has dedicated himself to advancing treatments for complex medical conditions and making a real-world impact on improving people’s lives. 

Prior to joining Accelagen, Nelson worked as a registered nurse across a broad range of therapeutic areas from oncology to cardiology, mental health, and neurology/stroke, before moving into the clinical trial space. With an ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and coordinate large-scale, multi-site trials, Nelson has found his ‘happy place’ in the role of Project Manager—often the first port of call for his clients and colleagues alike. 

“Sometimes I like to think of my role like the conductor of an orchestra—liaising with everyone, having oversight across the whole project, keeping everyone on track, and making sure that what we are doing works.”

Having managed global and regional clinical trials from start-up through close-out (phases I-IV), Nelson was eager to hit the ground running after he joined the team in April 2024. Leading a first-in-human clinical trial for Usher syndrome—a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive loss of hearing and vision. Nelson’s role is instrumental in ensuring the study runs efficiently and ethically, offering hope to those who previously had no treatment options. 

What makes this trial particularly meaningful is that the CEO of the non-profit organisation behind the research lives with the syndrome herself. To be given this kind of opportunity to effect meaningful change and make people’s lives better, motivates him: 

“From the CEO down, leadership makes such an effort to actually meet 1:1 with us and really understand how we are feeling, how things are going, where we could make improvements. It makes me feel seen and valued, and it’s different from any experience that I’ve had so far. And I think that’s definitely the biggest strength at Accelagen—people are truly committed to doing the best they can, both for each other and for our clients and patients. It’s inspiring.”

Opening new clinical pathways in Australia

For Marie Janik, joining Accelagen in April 2024 was a chance to return to what she loves most—helping bring innovative treatments to more people, more efficiently. With a career that also started in nursing, she gained a deep understanding of patient care, before transitioning over to clinical research. 

For over 20 years, Marie has worked with several major pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms, managing trials across a range of therapeutic areas, including oncology and rare diseases. But what drew her to Accelagen was the opportunity to help companies think differently about where and how they conduct their research.

“At the end of the day, a successful trial isn’t just about numbers—it’s about making sure real people get access to new treatments that can change their lives. When I entered research 22 years ago, there was no discussion about diversity in clinical trials. Now, it’s a major focus. I love that clinical research is always an area that evolves and grows.”

One of Marie’s first projects at Accelagen started out as a US-only trial for a chronically under-treated condition. But after exploring the benefits of running trials in Australia—including lower costs, faster approvals, and access to a diverse patient pool—the sponsor made the bold decision to move the entire study Down Under. Marie sees this as a game-changer: 

“Many companies assume the US is the best place to run their trials, but when they see the efficiencies Australia offers, they realise there’s a better way. Helping them make that shift is incredibly rewarding.”

Amidst growing international recognition of Australia as a premier destination for clinical trials, Marie was excited to join Accelagen, who she sees as being at the forefront of this evolution.

“Even after 22 years in the industry, I’m still learning and I love the opportunity to work with people who’ve come from such diverse backgrounds. This role requires you to have strong organisational skills, good communication skills, and the biggest thing you have to be is flexible and adaptable. Things can change on a dime, and you have to be able to shift quickly and problem solve. I love it—and it’s one of the few jobs in the world that, you can get a job anywhere.” 

A bright future for Clinical Research at Accelagen

With experienced project managers like Nelson and Marie on board, Accelagen continues to reinforce its reputation for delivering high-impact, high-quality clinical trial solutions. Their combined expertise has not only enhanced our existing projects but has started to shape the kind of projects we attract—ones that are patient-centric, globally connected, and innovation-driven.

Want to learn more about how Accelagen’s expert team can support your clinical trial? Get in touch with us today