Experience
IRB Founders and Management
The founders of Asentral IRB have nearly 100 combined years of direct experience in clinical research.
Drawing from personal knowledge, they came together in 2002 and developed a common image of what a
world-class IRB should look like and how it would operate. This image was based upon the premise
that professional supervision, industry expertise, and uncompromising ethical standards can be combined
to provide the highest level of patient welfare for clinical research. Over the past five years of
carefully controlled growth, these professionals have developed that image into one of the most
client-focused and service oriented IRBs in the industry today.
Richard J. Clunie, B.A., M.S.A.
President/CEO of Asentral IRB
Rick Clunie has compiled a history of leading small to mid-sized companies from
formation to sustained periods of profitable growth. Rick began his career with
twelve years in the real estate and construction industries, where he served as
President and founder of his own real estate development and general contracting
businesses. He then moved on to the manufacturing sector where he served as
Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, and later Vice-President of Operations of
a start-up global outsourcing company. He has also served as Director of Operations,
Quality Manager, and International Service Manager for two global manufacturers of
industrial capital equipment. Rick graduated from Colby College with a B.A. in
Environmental Studies and later obtained his Masters of Science in Accounting degree
from Southern New Hampshire University. He has passed the Certified Public
Accountants examination and is a current member of the AICPA.
Cynthia L. Owens, M.A., C.C.R.C.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Co-Founder of Asentral, Inc.
Beginning her career in the medical field in 1989, Cynthia has been focusing specifically
upon clinical research since 1994. Cynthia is a nationally recognized expert on Patient
Recruitment, having served as lead coordinator for over 28 studies in various indications.
In addition to co-founding Asentral, Inc. IRB, Cynthia owns and operates a national consulting
service, Pharmsight, which integrates patient recruitment with clinical operations to improve
the overall performance within each research site's unique culture. She has written and
implemented standard operating procedures, recruitment plans, staff training manuals,
quality assurance guidelines and directed all aspects of public relations for independent
clinical research sites., A featured speaker at national symposiums on good clinical practice,
Cynthia is recognized as a leader in her field.
Karen A. Konisky, B.S., M.B.A.
Co-Founder of Asentral, Inc.
Karen has over 20 years experience in Clinical Research. After graduating from the
University of Maine with a degree in Biochemistry, Karen worked at Children’s Hospital
in Boston doing research for the Hematology/Oncology Department for 3 years. After a
year at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Pulmonary Department, she worked as a Clinical
Research Associate for Fisons Pharmaceuticals. During this time Karen earned her M.B.A.
at Boston University, and in 1989 launched her own Clinical Trials Consulting business.
In 1990, she also started Sitebase Clinical Systems, a remote data entry software business,
where she served as vice-president until 1997. Karen has been involved in many aspects of
phase I through IV clinical trials, giving her a unique appreciation for the complexities
and challenges facing the Pharmaceutical Industry.