Investigator Spotlight

Meet Our Leading Clinical Experts

Our Investigator Spotlight highlights the distinguished clinicians and researchers driving innovation in clinical trials.

- Adam Harris, MD, FAAOS
  
  Adam Harris, MD, FAAOS, is a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopaedic surgeon. He has participated in the design of various joint replacement products and holds multiple U.S. patents. In addition to his role as founder of San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists, Dr. Harris serves as an examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
  
  We are proud to partner with Dr. Harris on improving outcomes for patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders.
  
  Need help with your joint replacement project? Connect with us today and learn how Nor Consult and Dr. Harris can help you with the next steps.
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- Branko Kopjar, MD, MSc, PhD, FACE, FAcadTM
  
  I founded Nor Consult, LLC in 2005 with a clear vision: to bring rigorous science and practical wisdom together so that innovators in life sciences can deliver meaningful therapies to patients.
  
  My career has been a journey through many roles, including professor, biostatistician, clinical epidemiologist, government advisor, and industry consultant. Each role gave me a different lens on the challenges of developing new therapies, and together they inspired me to create Nor Consult. My goal was to create a consultancy that brings together academic rigor and real-world experience, turning complex data into clear strategies that drive innovation and improve patient outcomes.
  
  Two decades later, I’m proud of our collaborations with start-ups and global leaders alike, driving First-in-Human and pivotal studies, securing key regulatory approvals, and advancing therapies that change patients’ lives.
  
  In addition to my role at Nor Consult, I serve as an emeritus faculty member at the University of Washington, where, since 1997, I have led research in clinical epidemiology, health outcomes, and medical product evaluation. This balance of academic leadership and hands-on industry work continues to shape our approach: scientifically grounded, results-driven, and always focused on patients.
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- Jefferson Wilson, MD, PhD, FRCSC
  
  Jefferson Wilson, MD, PhD, FRCSC is a surgeon-scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital who specializes in surgical management of complex disorders of the spine and spinal cord. In addition to his role at St. Michael’s, he is a faculty member at the University of Toronto and the Labatt Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery at Unity Health. Dr. Wilson’s research has been supported by grants from organizations including Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, AOSpine, Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation and the Cervical Spine Research Society. He is the recipient of numerous awards, and an author or co-author on over 300 publications.
  
  We are proud to have partnered with Dr. Wilson on numerous research projects, including prospective clinical trials. Need help with your spine/SCI project? Connect with us today and learn how Nor Consult and Dr. Wilson can help you with the next steps.
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- Manraj (Raju) Heran, MD, FRCPC
  
  Manraj (Raju) Heran, MD, FRCPC, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of British Columbia, Head of the Division for Neuroradiology at Vancouver General Hospital and a staff pediatric interventional radiologist at B.C. Children’s Hospital where he is also a member of the Vascular Anomalies Clinic. Dr. Heran’s research and clinical interests include diagnosis and management of vascular malformations, interventional neuroradiology including acute stroke and ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and orbital radiology.
  
  He’s a board-certified radiologist with three completed fellowships spanning pediatric radiology (B.C. Children’s Hospital), vascular & interventional radiology (Vancouver General Hospital) and neuroradiology (Duke University Medical Center)
  
  We are proud to partner with Dr. Heran on bringing investigational treatments to those in need. Need help with your interventional radiology project? Connect with us today and learn how Nor Consult and Dr. Heran can help you with the next steps.
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- Michael Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, FRSC, FCAHS
  
  Michael, Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, FRSC, FCAHS is a world-renowned neurosurgeon at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Fehlings has published extensively, contributing over 1,000 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters to the scientific literature. His work has significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of complex neurological conditions, solidifying his reputation as a leader in neurosurgery and neuroscience. In addition to his professorship, he holds the Robert Campeau Family Foundation / Dr. C. H. Tator Chair in Brain and Spinal Cord Research, Vice Chairmanship of the Department of Surgery and Co-Directorship of the Spine Program.
  
  We are proud of our 15+ year partnership with Dr. Fehlings. Need help with your interventional spine project? Connect with us today and learn how Nor Consult and Dr. Fehlings can help you with the next steps.
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- Patrick Heagerty, PhD, FASA
  
  Patrick Heagerty, PhD, is a Professor, former Chair of Biostatistics and Director of the Center for Biomedical Statistics at the University of Washington. He is nationally recognized for his deep expertise in clinical trial design and advanced statistical methodologies. Nor Consult has a multi-year partnership with Dr. Heagerty supporting our clients across various therapeutic areas, including medical device and cardiovascular trials.
  
  His leadership roles, including on the FDA Sentinel Innovation Center, highlight his profound understanding of regulatory requirements and best practices in biostatistics. Dr. Heagerty’s guidance ensures robust study design, precise data analysis, and strategic insights crucial for successful clinical development programs.
  
  Dr. Heagerty holds a BS in Biology from Cornell University, a MS in Statistics from State University of New York (Albany) and a PhD in Biostatistics from Johns Hopkins. He serves as a statistical editor for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.
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- Paul Arnold, MD, FACS
  
  Paul Arnold, MD, FACS, is a globally recognized spine surgeon with 30+ years of experience treating and researching cervical spine trauma, robotics, spine degeneration and complex spine surgery.
  
  Dr. Arnold has held prominent roles throughout his career, including:
  - Chief of Spine Surgery
  - Neurosurgery Chairman
  - Professor of Neurosurgery
  - Director of a Spinal Cord Injury Center
  He has also served as a neurotrauma consultant to the National Football League and held leadership positions at AOSpine. Dr. Arnold completed his Medical Degree and residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
  
  He is the recipient of numerous research, teaching and leadership awards. We are proud to have partnered with Dr. Arnold on many clinical trials and research projects over the past 15+ years.
  
  Need help with your spine/SCI project? Connect with us today and learn how Nor Consult and Dr. Arnold can help you with the next steps.
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- Rajiv Saigal, MD, PhD, FAANS
  
  Rajiv Saigal, MD, PhD, FAANS, is a neurosurgeon-scientist who specializes in complex spine surgery. He completed his neurosurgery residency at UC San Francisco, a spine deformity fellowship at Scripps San Diego, and a second fellowship in minimally invasive spine surgery and endoscopic fusion at the University of Miami. Dr. Saigal holds a PhD in medical engineering from Harvard-MIT, a master’s in biomedical engineering from Aalborg University in Denmark, and a bachelor’s with highest honors in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech.
  
  He is the recipient of numerous research, teaching, and leadership awards. We are proud to partner with Dr. Saigal, including our 2025 collaboration on an acute spinal cord injury trial. Need help with your spine/SCI project? Connect with us Today and learn how Nor Consult and Dr. Saigal can help you with the next steps.
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- Scott M. Sporer, MD, MS
  
  Scott M. Sporer, MD, MS is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH in Chicago. He completed fellowship training in adult reconstruction at Harvard Medical School/ Massachusetts General Hospital and has more than two decades of experience in joint replacement surgery. Dr. Sporer is nationally recognized for his expertise in complex primary and revision hip and knee replacements as evidenced by his numerous peer-reviewed publications. As a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at RUSH University Medical Center, he maintains a busy academic career focused on clinical outcomes research. Consistently named a “Top Doctor” in Chicago, Dr. Sporer is widely respected for his clinical skill, leadership, and dedication to improving patient outcomes in joint replacement surgery.
  
  Need help with your orthopedic project? Connect with us today and learn how Nor Consult and Dr. Sporer can help you with the next steps.
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- Thomas Turgeon, BSc, MD, MPH, FRCSC
  
  Thomas Turgeon, BSc, MD, MPH, FRCSC is a faculty member and surgeon-scientist at the University of Manitoba, specializing in hip & knee arthroplasty. In addition, he is the Arthroplasty Research Chair of the Concordia Foundation and a Board Member for the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre in Winnipeg, Canada.
  
  Dr. Turgeon completed his medical degree at the University of Western Ontario, residency at the University of Saskatchewan, and a Master of Public Health at San Diego State University. His research has been recognized by several awards and honors, and his findings have been published in numerous high-impact journals. We are proud to partner with Dr. Turgeon, including our ongoing collaboration on a novel hip replacement device trial. Need help with your joint replacement project? Connect with us today and learn how Nor Consult and Dr. Turgeon can help you with the next steps.
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