In addition to Dr. Pittas, below are the current team members at Tufts Medical Center that make things happen proudly and efficiently. The team tends to expand in the summer when we host students.
The Current Members
The Current Members
Project ManagerPatricia Sheehan, BSN, MPH, MS
Patty is an Assistant Professor. She received her BSN from Villanova University, a MPH from Johns Hopkins University followed by a MS in Community Health (Family Nurse Practitioner) from the University of Massachusetts. Patty has organized, directed and completed large multi-center trials for both academia and industry. She enjoys skiing, cooking, running road races, nature and traveling. She plans to climb all 67 New England mountains that are over 4000 feet, and visit every continent.
Research AssociatePaul Fuss
Paul graduated from the University of Michigan, and worked for many years at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University as a research coordinator and project manager of many studies on the regulation of energy balance. These studies used an array of interesting methodologies that often taxed his knowledge of high school physics (something he points out to his kids whenever they complain about all the “useless stuff” they’re forced to learn). His interests outside of work include collecting and using antique woodworking tools. Paul considers himself an amateur rhykenologist.
Research AssociateEllen Vickery, MS
Ellen has worked on research studies that took place in the ambulance, elementary school classrooms and lunchrooms, and clinic environment. Her focus is on improving the organization and efficiency of projects, so that research runs smoother and produces high quality data. Her work approach carries over to her personal life. In culinary endeavors, Ellen is focused on improving the organization and efficiency of the culinary projects such that mealtime runs smoother and produces interesting and delicious food. She has combined her interests and education in a new endeavor to share techniques and recipes that use locally sourced produce.
Research AssistantCindy Haviet, M.S.
Cindy received her B.A. in Biology with a minor in Public Health from Regis College in 2013 and her M.S. in Regulatory and Clinical Research Management in May 2016 from Regis College. She began working in the Division of Endocrinology at Tufts Medical Center in November 2014 and is enjoying the opportunity to work on the D2d as part of the Coordinating Center team. Cindy loves anything that involves being outdoors especially hiking and camping. She is also an avid runner with two half marathons and five 5k races completed. She is looking forward to her first marathon in Hawaii this December.
Director of Research AdministrationDanielle Riggs
Danielle received her B.S. in Biology from Stonehill College, and has worked within Research Administration at Tufts Medical Center since 2000. in 2008, she joined the leadership team for the Department of Medicine as the Director of Administration and Finance. She oversees the pre- and post-award administration for all federal, foundation, and industry grants and clinical trials throughout the Department. In this role, she helped to build the budget management model for D2d, and continues to develop and oversee internal systems for monitoring D2d’s complex budget across sites.
Research AdministratorOlivia Lovegreen
Olivia received her B.S. in Health Policy and Management from Providence College and is currently pursuing a MBA degree with a healthcare administration concentration from the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University. As an undergraduate, she interned at Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation and Butler Hospital in the Risk Management department. Following graduation, a short stint at the Joslin Diabetes Center fostered her interest in grant management. Olivia began working in the Research Administration department at Tufts Medical Center and spends a good portion of her time managing the D2d budget.
Research AssociateEdith Angellotti, MD
Edith was born in Italy and received her MD at the Second University of Naples (Italy) in 2011. She worked for four years as clinical fellow in Geriatric Medicine at the Second University of Naples (Italy), focusing on the management of patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. She moved to Boston in 2016 to join the Dr. Pittas' research group. Currently she is working on research analyses from the DDM2 clinical trial. In her free time, Edith enjoys reading, baking cakes and cooking delicious Italian dishes.
Study AnalystJason Nelson, MPH
Jason received his MPH in biostatistics and epidemiology from Tufts University School. He is currently a statistician in the Biostatistics Research Center in the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies. Since 2007, Jason has provided statistical research support and data management to clinical researchers throughout the Tufts Medical Center community and collaborators at other institutions. His primary research interest includes spatial analysis of geographic information.
Research CoordinatorKim Vo
Kim earned her BA in English Language and Literature from California State University, Sacramento. She started her career as a Certified Pharmacy Technician where her interest in Clinical Research grew. She has worked on many research projects at Tufts Medical Center with the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, before joining the Pittas' team, where she serves as the Lead Coordinator for the D2d study at the Tufts site. In her words, “If I wasn’t doing what I’m currently do now I would love to travel the world and learn to cook the native cuisine as I go along.”