Meet the Elpida Clinical Trials Team
Who we are
Elpida is a UK-based clinical research organisation with a proven track record in the delivery of high-performing clinical trial sites. Our leadership team and clinicians bring decades of combined experience in running Phase II–IV studies across a wide range of therapeutic areas.
At the heart of our approach is a hybrid model that combines the operational agility of a private research provider with the trusted patient relationships and reach of Primary Care.
By working in close partnership with General Practices and Primary Care Networks, we ensure access to highly engaged, pre-screened patient populations - delivering recruitment targets faster and with higher retention rates.
We are passionate about making research more accessible, efficient, and effective - for sponsors, for sites, and most importantly, for patients.
“At Elpida Clinical Trials we are passionate about building scalable solutions that empower research sites, reduce time to first patient in, and bring new therapies to market more efficiently. We have an unwavering belief that collaboration across stakeholders is the key to solving today’s most pressing clinical trial challenges.”
Julie Gray, Chief Executive Officer, Elpida Clinical Trials
“In these uncertain times, we must all strive for a better tomorrow. Clinical trials offer a path to improve treatments for new and existing conditions and illnesses, but without volunteer patients, innovation is impossible.”
Dr. Balgit Chhokar, Medical Director, Elpida Clinical Trials
“As well as our deep understanding of the operational and regulatory demands of clinical research, it’s vital we build strong relationships with our study participants, ensuring they feel supported and engaged. It’s crucial that they have a positive participant experience.”
Nicola Hewitt, Senior Research Nurse, Elpida Clinical Trials
Meet our Leadership Team
Julie Gray, Chief Executive Officer
Julie Gray has over 20 years of experience in the clinical research industry, specialising in site start up and trial delivery solutions. As CEO of Elpida Trials, Julie brings a strategic focus to accelerating clinical research through integrated site networks, advanced pre-screening technology, and strong partnerships with primary care.
Julie’s career began within the NHS, where she held senior operational roles supporting the delivery of commercial and academic research. Her deep understanding of NHS systems, processes, and pressures has been instrumental in shaping Elpida’s site-centric model. She has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of high-performing research sites across both primary and secondary care, helping to establish and scale site networks that deliver with quality, speed, and consistency.
Under Julie’s leadership, Elpida Clinical Trials has emerged as a trusted partner to sponsors and CROs, delivering patient-first, data-driven recruitment strategies that drive results. Her approach combines operational rigour with a commitment to improving access and diversity in clinical trials, ensuring that research reaches the people who need it most.
Dr. Balgit Chhokar, Medical Director
MBChB, DRCOG, DTMH
After qualifying as a doctor from Glasgow University in 2002, I trained in various specialities then moved into general practice. Later, I spent a year working onboard a cruise ship as a medical officer before starting work in my first clinical trial in 2012.
Initially, I worked in an early phase quarantine unit, working with live respiratory viruses and treatments, before moving into later phase testing in 2015.
I have participated in more than 50 trials and been the Principal Investigator in 20 of those, as well as a National Chief Investigator. My trial experience covers a variety of areas including respiratory, endocrinology, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, dermatology, neurological, immunological and nutritional studies.
In my role as Medical Director and Principal Investigator at Elpida Clinical Trials, I oversee all the clinical trials at the centre to ensure we deliver high quality results for our clients and give our patients a positive experience of working with us.
Dr. Babatunde Oyesile, Principal Investigator
MBChB, MRCS, DPM, MFPM, MBA
A distinguished physician-scientist and pharmaceutical medicine expert, Dr. Babatunde Oyesile combines clinical acumen (MBChB, MRCS, DPM), advanced research training (MFPM), and business strategy (MBA) to design and execute high-impact clinical trials and medical research. With a career dedicated to translating scientific discovery into patient-centered therapies, he excels at leading cross-functional teams in Phase I-IV trials, regulatory strategy, and evidence generation across therapeutic areas.
Key Career Achievements:
✔ Clinical Trials Leadership: Directed multicentre, international clinical trials for specific therapeutic areas, e.g., oncology, CNS, rare diseases, ensuring GCP compliance, patient safety, and robust data integrity.
✔ Pharmaceutical Medicine Expertise: As a Member of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (MFPM), shaped drug development strategies for types of compounds, e.g., biologics, small molecules, optimising protocol design, regulatory submissions, and risk-benefit assessments.
Caroline Endersbee, Head of Patient Engagement
A senior clinical research executive with over 15 years of experience, Caroline brings deep expertise in global patient recruitment, site strategy, and operational trial delivery. Known for her results-driven approach, she specialises in building scalable, technology-enabled recruitment infrastructures that accelerate enrolment, reduce risk, and keep pace with the complexity of modern trials, particularly in oncology and other high-burden therapeutic areas.
Her leadership roles at Medinova, Accellacare and most recently Oncacare, a global oncology site network formed with ICON plc, have provided first-hand operational experience within Site Management Organisations that operate their own research sites. This operational grounding, spanning feasibility, patient flow mapping, protocol execution, and data integrity, informs her ability to develop centralised, data-driven recruitment strategies that are both commercially viable and site-deliverable.
Caroline and her teams have earned industry recognition for their impact on patient recruitment, including awards at the Site Solutions Summit. These accolades reflect her ability to drive measurable enrolment success and deliver innovative, site-focused strategies that resonate across the clinical research landscape.
Nicola Hewitt , Senior Research Nurse
Nicola qualified as a nurse in Nottingham and began her clinical career working across a range of specialities, including haematology and bone marrow transplantation. She then spent several years abroad, gaining valuable international experience, nursing in Hong Kong for seven years and in Melbourne for five, before returning to the UK in 2008, where she transitioned into clinical research.
With over 16 years of experience in the clinical trials field, Nicola has worked on a wide variety of studies across multiple therapeutic areas, including women’s health, respiratory, cardiovascular, dermatology, osteoporosis, and arthritis. Her role as a Senior Research Nurse involves far more than clinical care; it demands a detailed understanding of study protocols, strict adherence to regulatory and ethical standards, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant data.
Nicola’s responsibilities include identifying and screening potential participants, conducting study visits, administering investigational products, collecting and recording data accurately, and monitoring patients for adverse events. She also plays a vital role in ensuring protocol adherence and maintaining Good Clinical Practice (GCP) throughout the study lifecycle.
Maryna Pankratova, Operations Manager
Maryna is an experienced operations and people leader with a passion for transforming businesses from within — aligning structure and culture to deliver excellence at scale.
With 20+ years across the UK and Eastern Europe, she has led major operational rollouts, built and restructured teams, and integrated HR and Operations strategies to drive measurable impact.
Her strength lies in working across industries, connecting dots, and creating clarity in complexity.
She has successfully led teams through multiple mergers and transformations, always with a people-first mindset.
Her leadership style is grounded in empathy, ownership, and a passion for helping others grow.