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Who We Are

  • Headlands Research is a leading globally integrated clinical trial site organization with the mission of
    dramatically improving the clinical trials process.

    Our Detroit location focuses on multi-therapeutic and general medicine clinical research trials for a large, diverse population.

    With an experienced and compassionate staff, our goal is to make sure patients have access to
    innovative clinical research trials so we improve the future of medicine together.

  • Trials

    Clinical drug trials allow researchers to pinpoint effective therapies that help heal people with debilitating diseases that would otherwise not be treated.

  • Studies

    Studies are generally chosen by the estimated effectiveness of treatments currently in development. We only study therapies that have the potential to help.

  • Therapeutic Research

    Therapeutic research is research that directly intends to help participants by means of therapies designed to help improve symptoms and diseases.

  • Equipment and Procedures

    We use technologically advanced equipment and procedures to ensure the highest level of research capability and accuracy standards for every trial.

Leadership

Dr. David Strong

Principal Investigator

Dr. David Strong, MD/PhD is a Principal Investigator at Headlands Research Detroit. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University where his thesis project focused on the study of metabolism in central nervous system neurons using targeted molecules to inhibit or stimulate energy storage and production pathways. He graduated from the Medical Scientist Training Program at Washington University in St. Louis after completing his dissertation in the Department of Pathology & Immunology. His thesis investigated the genetic host and pathogen factors responsible for virulence during Norovirus infection.

Dr. Strong is a graduate of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed Fellowship training in Emergency Medical Services through the Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center program. After graduation, he joined the Henry Ford Medical Group where he provided care for a diverse patient population and gained experience recognizing and treating a wide range of acute and chronic clinical diseases. Dr. Strong is dedicated to making excellent medical care available to the communities in Southeast Michigan. During the COVID-19 pandemic he served as the Medical Director of the TCF Regional Care Center, providing care for COVID patients during the initial months of the pandemic. He is currently the Deputy Medical Director for the Region 2 South Healthcare Coalition, tasked to work with local healthcare providers and public health partners to ensure the healthcare preparedness of the region. He is excited to join Headlands Research and have an opportunity to bring the innovative and promising treatments associated with clinical trials to the patients most in need.

Dr. Strong is board-certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. He is a designated fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the National Association of EMS Physicians. As a Principal Investigator at Headlands, his main areas of research interest include vaccines, immunomodulators, and the metabolic syndrome.

He is a proud native of Southeast Michigan where he and his wife are raising two children.

Dr. Sophie Toya

Principal Investigator

Dr. Sophie Toya

Dr. Toya is a Pulmonologist/Intensivist with extensive experience in basic and translational pulmonary
research along with diverse clinical experience in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Her previous
research interests include pulmonary vascular endothelial pathology in acute lung injury and the role of
endothelial progenitors derived from embryonic stem cells in reversing and preventing such injury.

Dr. Toya has extensive mentorship experience along with a teaching and publishing background. She has
the ability to work across therapeutic areas, experience working with cross-functional clinical teams, and
the ability to apply principles of logical and scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical
problems, data curation, project management and presentation.

She has held academic appointments at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Indiana University and
Central Michigan University. Dr Toya has been a Principal Investigator in clinical trials on COPD, asthma,
Interstitial Lung Disease, and lung cancer among other pathologies. She has also served as a consultant
for Clinical Research Organizations.

Patrick Keating

Site Director

Patrick Keating New Headshot

Patrick Keating graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in health
sciences. He has over 10 years of clinical research experience, including previous work in the Urology
and Orthopaedics/Sports Medicine fields. Patrick has worked in academic hospital systems and the
private practice/industry settings, and has experience leading a site, as well as managing trials across
multiple sites. His background includes time spent as a site director, trial manager, monitor, auditor,
and coordinator. Patrick joined Headlands Research in 2022.

In his free time, Patrick enjoys running, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and watching
Notre Dame football.

Headland Research’s Mission

  • Headlands Research was founded on the idea that clinical trial research needs to significantly evolve to
    better match the current healthcare climate, as well as the real-world needs of patients.

    Our mission is to profoundly change the clinical trials process through a platform of best-in-class
    research facilities that gather high-quality data through increased trial participation while addressing
    specialty populations that are underserved.

    Based in San Francisco and backed by KKR, Headlands aims to ensure that high-quality therapeutics are
    made available to patients who can benefit from them. Additional information about the company is
    available at www.headlandsresearch.com.

  • Address

    29355 Northwestern Highway, Suite 200 Southfield, MI 48034

  • Phone

    248-243-1870

  • Website

    headlandsresearchdetroit.com

  • E-mail

    info@headlandsresearch.com

Headlands Research is a leading globally integrated clinical trial site organization with the mission of dramatically improving the clinical trials process.

Our Brownsville location is a Pfizer partner Site with a focus on multi-therapeutic and general medicine clinical research trials.

With an experienced and compassionate staff, our goal is to make sure patients have access to cutting-edge clinical research trials so we can discover a better tomorrow together.