Laura has 18 years experience in marketing research and consulting in the pharmaceutical industry. At IMA, she provides strategic guidance on project design, analysis and actionable recommendations, and builds on the personalized client focus that IMA has firmly established in the industry.

Laura began her career as a Registered Dietitian for the Health and Hospital Corporation of NY. Following this, she joined the healthcare consulting firm, The Mattson Jack Group, working in a variety of analytical projects and therapeutic classes over three years. In 1990, Laura joined GlaxoSmithKline as a Senior Marketing Research Analyst responsible for the launch of Zofran® and was also a part of the Zantac® team. Laura then spent almost three years at headquarters in London as Manager of Business Analysis. Her role focused on developmental compounds and included international research and forecasting responsibility in several therapy areas including diabetes, cardiovascular, and HIV. In addition, she played a key role in directing the approach and communication of the secondary data to senior management, and an initiative for a company-pricing database.

After returning to the United States, she was the Manager of Health Systems Marketing Research, a newly created group responsible for customer channel research and analysis. Laura was then promoted to Director of Marketing Research, leading an organization of approximately 50. In this role she initiated new approaches to research and training. After the birth of her son, she resigned. Laura has a BS in Nutritional Sciences from Purdue University, an MS in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Pharmacology from Cornell University and an MBA from Duke University.

Ian has over 15 years of research experience. During his years at IMA, he has conducted projects in multiple therapy areas, including nephrology, oncology, allergy, asthma, psychiatry, gastroenterology, cardiology, organ transplantation, and HIV/AIDS. Like many of his colleagues at IMA, he is a “quick study” in complicated therapy areas with which he is not familiar. He has completed a full range of qualitative projects including knowledge, attitudes and practices research, positioning and message testing, promotional materials evaluation, and packaging research. In addition, he co-developed IMA’s qualitative video methodology, “Reel LearningsSM,” combining his video documentary production and qualitative research experience to provide IMA’s market research clients with a high level video deliverable unavailable anywhere else.

Prior to joining IMA, Ian enjoyed a range of responsibilities at the University of Pennsylvania Psychiatry Department’s Center for Studies of Addiction. He facilitated group discussions and conducted one-on-one interviews with a variety of populations, including injection drug users, community activists, physicians, and other clinicians. As technology transfer specialist, he developed and evaluated the effectiveness of educational materials and programs. In addition, Ian managed all aspects of a qualitative study on attitudes towards HIV vaccine research. His work at Penn resulted in scientific journal publications, conference presentations, and award-winning educational video documentaries. Ian earned a Master’s degree from Penn’s Annenberg School for Communication in 1991. He lives with his wife and three children in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Jan joins IMA with over eight years of market research experience. She offers a rich background in managing primary pharmaceutical market research projects through all phases of a product’s lifecycle.

Prior to joining IMA, Jan spent over three years leading a custom research team at Synovate Healthcare (formerly Isis Research). As part of a well-established global market research agency, Jan partnered with clients to design and complete multi-country qualitative and quantitative research studies. Jan managed projects in countries spanning four continents including Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Jan has conducted research for clients across numerous therapeutic categories. Therapy areas of expertise include: anti-infectives, acute mania, allergic rhinitis, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, diabetes, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, pain, oncology, osteoporosis, schizophrenia, sleep disorders, and STDs.

Additionally, Jan has lead focus groups, mini-groups and in-depth interviews with various respondent types. She is skilled in interviewing patients, physicians, nurses, office managers, and other healthcare professionals, including managed care.

Earlier in her career Jan worked for Dell Computers, where she was a member of their e-business team. Collaborating with Dell’s product management and strategic business leaders, she analyzed customer needs to improve the commerce and marketing interface of www.dell.com. Jan’s background also includes working for a Baltimore-based financial services consulting firm, where she gained both qualitative and quantitative research experience, with expertise in survey design and project management.

Jan’s credentials include a BS in Finance from Bloomsburg University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. She is a graduate of the RIVA School of Moderating and is a member of the AMA, HBA and PMRG. Jan resides in Baltimore, MD with her husband. She enjoys yoga, and rooting for the Ravens and Terps.

Drew has over ten years experience as a medical and consumer market researcher. Since joining IMA in 2001, Drew has conducted thousands of in-depth interviews, both in-person and by telephone, and has moderated numerous focus groups.

During his tenure at IMA, Drew has gained valuable experience conducting qualitative research with physicians, other health professionals, and consumers. Drew has directed research projects related to antibiotics, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, asthma, acute coronary syndrome, anemia, psoriasis, prostate cancer, COPD, multiple myeloma, diabetes, and HIV. These projects have included extensive message testing, concept testing, detail aid research, knowledge/attitudes/practices studies, journal ad testing, and packaging research, as well as a variety of custom projects exploring the market potential of new products and pharmaceutical compounds.

After receiving his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Princeton University, Drew begin his career at Gallup & Robinson, Inc., where he managed a wide variety of advertising research projects in the pharmaceutical, automotive, and health & beauty industries. Drew later worked for the syndicated research division of Roper Starch Worldwide, Inc., where he specialized in providing consumer- trends information and analysis to his Fortune 500 clients.

Drew recently published an article entitled “Is Your Company Pushing Too Hard?” in Marketing Health Services. A graduate of the RIVA Moderator Training School, Drew is an expert moderator who prides himself on tailoring his research methodologies to meet the individual needs of each client. When possible, Drew draws from his background in psychology to employ projective techniques that substantially enrich research findings.

Drew resides in Ambler, PA. In his spare time he enjoys biking on the Valley Green trail and exploring cultural attractions in the Philadelphia area.

Craig is an experienced pharmaceutical marketing researcher and consultant. His nine years of experience includes substantial work with a number of brands in, among others, the fields of oncology, virology, immunology, CV/metabolics, hematology, surgery and neuroscience/CNS.

Craig applies custom qualitative and quantitative marketing research methodologies designed to address the business and marketing issues of pharmaceutical marketing and promotion. He has extensive experience partnering with clients on projects that range in scope from U.S. to multi-country audiences throughout all phases of product lifecycles. His moderating expertise has been refined by conducting thousands of individual depth interviews and focus groups.

Craig also has experience as a marketing consultant for a strategic marketing consulting firm and in account management for a full-service pharmaceutical advertising agency. Through these experiences, he has acquired a unique understanding of strategic brand management and associated tactical execution.

Craig has an expertise in the strategic marketing planning process for brand development and management, as well as in the areas of consumer psychology and consumer behavior. He has been trained in psychoanalytical and other techniques that he utilizes in the design, moderation and analysis of sophisticated physician, patient, consumer, and other HCP interviews. He is adept in the use of custom projective techniques and other methods utilized to garner insights into markets and to uncover latent attitudes, perceptions and motivators of behavior.

Craig attended Haverford College where he graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy, concentrating in East Asian Philosophies. He resides in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and is engaged to be married this summer.

Chris is an experienced market researcher specializing in the pharmaceutical industry.  He has designed and conducted global qualitative and quantitative studies, often drawing upon both approaches to meet the needs of clients.  In the qualitative arena, Chris has moderated in-depth interviews and conducted focus groups with diverse respondents (such as physicians, KOLs, managed care/payers, nurses, pharmacists, and patient / caregiver groups).  His work spans all phases of the product life cycle, pre-clinical to positioning and message testing to line extension opportunities.  Chris’s expertise in the quantitative arena is in project direction from inception through the preparation of insightful report documents.

Starting his career with CSL Behring, a global biopharmaceutical company, Chris developed a solid foundation in market research and competitive intelligence.  His focus was on the global strategic marketing planning process across all business units.  In this environment, Chris developed his ability to design and implement market research programs that provide an in-depth understanding of target markets and competitors’ strategies, using a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. 

Prior to joining IMA, Chris further honed his skills at Genactis, a global marketing research agency, where he was responsible for managing, designing and implementing domestic and international qualitative and quantitative market research studies. 

Due to his experience on the client and supplier sides, Chris brings a thorough and well-rounded understanding of the strategic nature of market research.  Chris has sound knowledge and understanding of many therapeutic categories, including cardiovascular, central nervous system, oncology, respiratory, gastrointestinal, hematology, HIV, and lifestyle products (insomnia, obesity, sexual dysfunction, etc.).

Gwyn brings exceptional qualitative research skills and strategic thinking to IMA’s clients.  Gwyn specializes in a variety of qualitative research techniques ranging from focus groups and in-depth interviews to ethnography and storytelling.  Prior to joining IMA, Gwyn was a Project Manager at Sensory Spectrum, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in understanding the sensory experience for industry, academia and government.  Leading qualitative research and consumer panel workshops for major corporations in the foods, beverages, personal care products, fragrance and pharmaceutical categories, Gwyn designed and conducted domestic and global qualitative studies specifically in product development/improviement, consumer trends prediction, branding research and sensory evaluation. 

With certificates from RIVA’s Market Research Training Institute and IPEC’s Life Coach Training Institute as well as work with Thinkx’s creative problem solving programs, Gwyn has a dynamic and innovative approach to conducting in-depth interviews, moderating focus groups, and sourcing, training and facilitating consumer panels with diverse populations.

Early in her career, with over ten years of counseling and human resource work in various settings, Gwyn enhanced her skillfulness in understanding human behavior.  Later, she gained extensive knowledge and expertise in the pharmaceutical industry at Hoffmann La Roche with involvement in their Sales Training and Pharma Development Regulatory efforts. 

Gwyn earned her Masters Degree in Behavioral Science from Kean University and her Bachelors of Arts degree at Montclair State University. She resides in Montclair, New Jersey and spends her free time relaxing at her favorite yoga studio or rooting for her favorite New York sports teams.

Patti has several years experience conducting primary marketing research and analyzing secondary marketing research data. Since joining IMA, Patti has specialized in qualitative data analysis, report writing and telephone interviewing. She has worked on projects involving several different therapy areas, including asthma, depression, migraine, oncology, nephrology, anemia and Parkinson’s Disease.

Prior to joining IMA, Patti spent six years at TV Guide, where she worked in the Edition Management department. There, she was responsible for the content of TV Guide’s regional editions in the northeastern U.S. This work involved constructing regular reports on television viewership and magazine circulation using data from A.C. Nielsen.

Patti worked for two years on the ESPN Sports Poll with TNS Intersearch in Horsham, PA. With the Sports Poll, Patti was responsible for providing clients with data from both the nationally syndicated poll and custom research projects.

Patti received her B.A. from Indiana University. She recently relocated to Northridge, California with her husband and daughter and her son is a student at the University of Connecticut.

Michael brings strong analytical and writing skills and project experience to IMA. Prior to joining the organization, Michael facilitated the creation of computer-based examinations for state regulatory agencies as a Content Development Editor at Promissor, a global professional licensure and certification company. Michael began his career as an Editorial Intern at The MIT Press in Cambridge, MA, assisting the editors with copy editing and proofreading manuscripts in all phases of production.

Michael graduated with a degree in English from Haverford College and resides in Ardmore, PA with his wife. He enjoys playing music, reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Beth is responsible for the coordination and management of all IMA field operations. Prior to joining IMA in 2004, she worked as a Project Manager for Focus Pointe, a national market research facility headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Beth was responsible for the management of both medical and consumer in depth interviews, telephone interviews and focus groups.

At IMA, Beth advises both the IMA Project Directors and clients of the best approach to recruiting respondents. In addition, she plays a role in screener design, coordinating research efforts using the Internet, exploring and evaluating new research opportunities and approaches, identifying new field agencies, supporting efforts for recruiting new staff, and attending research to help support the team on site.

She studied nursing at The Catholic University of America and graduated with a degree in Political Science from Chestnut Hill College.

Kristine brings a wealth of domestic and international field knowledge and experience to IMA.  Kristine specializes in fielding and managing global research projects utilizing qualitative, quantitative, and Internet-based research solutions. During her 13 years in field management, Kristine has developed outstanding relationships with marketing research facilities and researchers providing IMA clients unique access to exceptional field agencies and moderators throughout the world.

Prior to joining IMA, Kristine served as a Field Manager at GfK Strategic Marketing. At GfK-SM, Kristine worked closely with project directors and clients to ensure successful project development and execution. In her role as Field Manager, Kristine managed hundreds of global research projects in a numerous countries including: UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, China, Canada, and the US.

At IMA, Kristine advises both the IMA Project Directors and clients of the best approach to recruiting respondents.  In addition, she plays a role in screener design, coordinating research efforts using the Internet, exploring and evaluating new research opportunities and approaches.

Kristine resides in Bala Cynwyd, PA with her two daughters.  She enjoys going to the movies, being outdoors and is a big football fan – The Indianapolis Colts in particular.

Patty LaBarbara
Manager, Administrative Services

Patty’s role at IMA includes: telephone communications, project information flow and tracking, public relations, and other administrative and client communication responsibilities.

Prior to IMA, Patty held administrative positions at National Analysts and Thomas Jefferson University Medical School, where she managed administrative operations, including: organizing and prioritizing workflow; designing questionnaires and proposals; and proofreading and editing reports and presentations.

Patty also has worked as a real estate agent for Weichert and Long & Foster, where she earned honors as a member of the Broker’s Gold Team and the Broker’s Executive Club. During her 20 years in the workforce, Patty has developed exceptional communication and problem-solving skills and gained expertise in numerous software applications.