Kip McKenzie
Founder, Board Member
Kip McKenzie founded Tekton Research in 2006 with a vision for a multi-specialty clinical research site organization built around physician leadership, operational discipline, and community access. With decades of experience in healthcare and business development, Kip helped shape Tekton’s growth from a single organization into a trusted research site network. As a Board Member, he continues to provide strategic guidance as Tekton expands access to clinical trials and supports high-quality research delivery across its communities.
Corey Collins
Chief Executive Officer
Corey Collins leads Tekton Research’s strategy, growth, and organizational performance. With a background in finance and healthcare operations, Corey brings a disciplined, data-informed approach to scaling clinical research site networks. Under his leadership, Tekton has expanded its footprint, strengthened its physician-led model, and continued building the infrastructure needed to deliver reliable execution for Sponsor and CRO clients. Corey is focused on sustainable growth that supports trial performance, investigator engagement, and a high standard of participant care.
Taryn Collett
Chief Operating Officer
As COO, Taryn Collett oversees Tekton’s site operations and clinical trial execution across the network. With deep experience in clinical research operations, Taryn leads efforts to strengthen consistency, efficiency, and site performance from study startup through closeout. She works closely with investigators and site teams to support operational discipline, participant retention, and the quality standards Sponsors and CROs expect from experienced research sites.
Timothy Ryan
Chief Financial Officer
Timothy Ryan leads Tekton’s financial strategy, planning, and performance. With extensive experience in healthcare finance, Tim supports Tekton’s continued growth while maintaining financial discipline and operational sustainability. He partners closely with the leadership team to align resources with strategic priorities, including continued investment in infrastructure, technology, and site expansion.
Jeffrey Zucker
Chief Development Officer
Jeffrey Zucker drives Tekton’s network growth and the continued expansion of its clinical research capabilities. With extensive experience in clinical development and site operations, Jeff plays a central role in identifying, onboarding, and mentoring investigators across the network. His work supports Tekton’s growth in high-performing therapeutic areas, including neuroscience, and helps ensure sites are prepared for complex clinical trials requiring strong investigator engagement and high-quality data delivery.
Melissa O’Connell
Vice President, Commercial Operations
Melissa O’Connell leads Tekton’s business development strategy, Sponsor engagement, and commercial alignment across the organization. With a strong background in clinical research and commercial strategy, Melissa works closely with Sponsor and CRO clients to align study opportunities with Tekton’s site capabilities, investigator expertise, and operational priorities. She is focused on responsible growth, responsive client service, and consistent delivery across Tekton’s expanding research network.
Jara McDonald, MD, FAAFP, DABOM, CPI
Executive Medical Director
Jara McDonald, MD, FAAFP, DABOM, CPI, provides clinical leadership for Tekton’s physician-led research model. Dr. McDonald is a double board-certified Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician who helps guide clinical strategy, support investigators, and strengthen participant-centered care across the network.
With deep expertise in cardiometabolic health, Dr. McDonald supports research addressing complex chronic conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and related metabolic disorders. She works with Sponsors, CROs, and investigators to align study execution with real-world clinical practice, helping improve participant access and study performance.
Dr. McDonald also supports the expansion of Tekton’s multi-specialty research hub model, which brings research opportunities closer to participants through embedded physician partnerships. Her focus on collaboration, education, and operational excellence strengthens Tekton’s ability to deliver high-quality data while supporting the communities it serves.
Pablo Mora, MD, FACE, MSc, CDCES
Endocrinology Key Opinion Leader
Pablo Mora, MD, FACE, MSc, CDCES, brings extensive expertise in metabolic and endocrine disorders to Tekton Research. Dr. Mora is a board-certified endocrinologist and recognized leader in diabetes care who supports clinical trial development, investigator readiness, and execution across cardiometabolic programs.
Dr. Mora has served as a principal investigator and sub-investigator on more than 30 clinical trials across vaccines, obesity, medical devices, and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. His experience includes studies involving adolescent and adult participants, giving him a broad perspective on trial execution across populations and care settings.
In addition to his research experience, Dr. Mora is deeply involved in advancing innovative approaches to diabetes management, including continuous glucose monitoring and emerging treatment technologies. At Tekton, he helps strengthen the organization’s cardiometabolic capabilities and supports high-quality, real-world data delivery for Sponsor and CRO clients.
Amit Vijapura, MD
Neuroscience Key Opinion Leader
Amit Vijapura, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive clinical and research expertise in central nervous system (CNS) and mental health conditions. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Vijapura provides clinical oversight and supports collaborative, evidence-based care across multidisciplinary teams.
Dr. Vijapura has served as a principal investigator in more than 40 clinical trials across CNS indications, including opioid dependence, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, insomnia, and Alzheimer’s disease. He has also held leadership roles across CRO and biotech organizations, supporting Phase 1–3 trials in medical monitoring, protocol development, and safety oversight.
At Tekton, Dr. Vijapura helps advance CNS clinical research by supporting investigator readiness, participant-centered care, and high-quality data delivery across complex studies.
The Latest From Tekton
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Tekton Welcomes Psychiatrist Andrew H. Martin, MD, to San Antonio Investigator Team
Andrew H. Martin, MD, psychiatrist and founder of Texas Family Psychiatry, will expand Tekton’s psychiatry research capabilities in San Antonio. Tekton is pleased to welcome Andrew H. Martin, MD, as … Read more
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Austin Site Screens First Participant Globally for Boehringer Ingelheim Systemic Sclerosis Study
Tekton’s Austin, TX, team screened the first participant globally for Boehringer Ingelheim’s Phase 3 study evaluating nerandomilast for systemic sclerosis. Congratulations to Paul Pickrell, MD, and our entire Austin team … Read more
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Pablo Mora, MD, Authors Two Articles in The Lancet on Zenagamtide
Pablo Mora, MD, is the lead author of two new articles published in The Lancet. The articles report Phase 2 results for zenagamtide, a novel unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor … Read more
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Jara McDonald, MD, to Present on Physician-Led Site Partnerships in SCRS Webinar
Tekton’s Principal Investigators are practicing physicians whose clinical experience and established patient relationships shape how we evaluate protocols and collaborate with Sponsors and CROs from the earliest stages of a … Read more
