Judith Montero, PsyD

Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Judy Monteroholds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology. Before transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry in 2003, she worked in a multidisciplinary clinical setting providing psychological services and conducting neuropsychological assessments for diverse populations. Her work included diagnosis, development, and implementation of behavioral interventions for individuals with neurocognitive disorders.

With over 20 years of experience in the clinical research industry, Dr. Montero has participated in hundreds of clinical trials—both at the site level as an investigator and rater, and within the CRO environment. During her tenure at Syneos Health, her extensive on-site experience proved invaluable in her role as Lead Clinical Scientist within the Clinical Surveillance & Training group.

As Director of Clinical Assessments in a national clinical research network of sites, Dr. Montero developed and implemented a comprehensive rater development program designed to enhance training and oversight across the organization. Her leadership in rater training contributed significantly to minimizing placebo response and ensuring high-quality trial outcomes.

Currently serving as Chief Clinical Officer at NextPhase Research, Dr. Montero oversees all clinical research activities to ensure they are scientifically rigorous, ethically sound, and operationally efficient. She plays a key role in supporting the site’s growth while upholding the highest standards of patient safety and data integrity.

Dr. Montero is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, with extensive experience administering clinical assessments and delivering professional training in both languages.

Curriculum VitaeDownload

Terry Piedra, BS, CCRC

Chief Strategy Officer & Founder | NextPhase Research 

Terry Piedra stands out as a prominent leader in clinical research, recognized for her dedication and enthusiasm for the field. She is excited to announce her latest venture, NextPhase Research, in partnership with Howard Schwartz, MD, Peter Ventre, MD, and Maria Campanioni.

As the Chief Strategy Officer, Terry leverages over 24 years of expertise in clinical trial execution, driving business growth while ensuring the delivery of exceptional outcomes. Her extensive knowledge encompasses all facets of clinical trials, including business development and clinical operations, with a focus on areas such as vaccines, psychiatry, psychedelics, neurology, and metabolic diseases across all trial phases. 

Terry places a strong emphasis on participant safety throughout the entire trial process, maintaining the highest quality standards from start to finish. Her vast experience enables her to adopt a comprehensive perspective, motivating her team to navigate and complete studies with efficiency. Her leadership approach promotes collaboration and fosters innovative solutions, which are crucial for achieving project objectives and enhancing overall success. 

Highly regarded within the industry, Terry has cultivated robust relationships with sponsors and CRO partners, facilitating effective collaboration and contributing to successful project outcomes. Her deep insight into her industry is vital for nurturing and strengthening essential business connections. This commitment to relationship-building is fundamental to the success of her projects and solidifies her reputation as a leader in clinical research.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Terry enjoys her time as a devoted wife and baseball mom, often found at baseball events or indulging in her passion for deep-sea fishing.

Curriculum VitaeDownload

Judith Montero, PsyD

Chief Clinical Officer

■ ABPN Board Certified in Psychiatry
■ Universidad Iberoamericana, 2001
■ Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 2007
■ University of Florida Department of Psychiatry, 2008
■ Founder and CEO of VMA and RCA (2011)
■ Chairman, Department of Psychiatry
■ Broward Health Medical Center

Curriculum VitaeDownload

Maria Companioni, DNP, APRN-BC

Chief Executive Officer & Founder | NextPhase Research 

Dr. Maria Companioni is a driving force in psychiatric and neuromodulation research, with over 100 CNS and vaccine trials executed under her leadership. With a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and dual board certification, she brings deep clinical expertise and operational command to every phase of trial execution.

As CEO of NextPhase Research and Clinical Director of Neuromodulation at My TMS, she has led innovation in patient recruitment, mapping, and protocol adherence across schizophrenia, MDD, bipolar disorder, autism, suicidality, and neurodegenerative conditions. Her work is known for translating patient care precision into high quality, sponsor ready data.
 
Together with Dr. Peter Ventre and Dr. Howard Schwartz, Dr. Companioni is shaping a forward focused clinical research team grounded in speed, scientific rigor, and reliability. Her contributions have been featured at ASCP, ISCTM, and CNS Summit, reflecting her commitment to advancing measurement-based care and collaborative research.

Curriculum VitaeDownload

Dr. Peter Ventre

Chief Psychiatric Officer & Founder | NextPhase Research 

Dr. Peter Ventre stands at the forefront of psychiatric clinical research in Florida. As a board-certified psychiatrist and seasoned Principal Investigator, Dr. Ventre has led hundreds of Phase I–IV trials in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, MDD, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, and treatment-resistant depression. His two decades of experience in CNS research have shaped some of the most impactful studies in the field.

As CEO of My Psychiatrist, one of South Florida’s most influential psychiatric practices Dr. Ventre has built a powerful bridge between real world clinical care and cutting-edge research. Today, he serves as Cofounder and Chief Psychiatric Officer of NextPhase Research, working in close collaboration with Dr. Howard Schwartz, and Dr. Maria Companioni to establish a sponsor ready ecosystem focused on scientific integrity, executional excellence, and speed.
 
With a proven track record contributing to multiple FDA approvals, Dr. Ventre continues to be a trusted partner for sponsors and CROs seeking rapid startup, reliable patient populations, and high-quality data. His leadership brings together innovation, integration, and compassion delivering research that advances both science and care.

Curriculum VitaeDownload

Dr. Howard I. Schwartz

Chief Medical Officer & Founder | NextPhase Research

Dr. Howard I. Schwartz is a pioneer in CNS clinical research with more than 1,000 Phase I–IV trials led across psychiatry, neurology, and vaccines. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, he has translated decades of clinical precision into a leadership role advancing Florida’s psychiatric research landscape.

As a founding partner at NextPhase Research, Dr. Schwartz is part of a unified team alongside Dr. Peter Ventre, and Dr. Maria Companioni, driving operational excellence and scientific advancement in high impact, multi-site trials. His work spans early phase innovation, rare populations, and pivotal studies, making him a valued partner for CROs and sponsors aiming to accelerate development without sacrificing quality.
 
With a deep history in advisory, DSMB participation, and medical monitoring, Dr. Schwartz is passionate to work with pharmaceutical, Biotech and CRO sponsors on projects that require significant medical oversight and early proof of concept trials. Dr. Schwartz brings strategic clarity and regulatory foresight to every trial. For sponsors looking to re-enter Florida’s trial market with a seasoned, high-performing site network. Dr. Schwartz and the NextPhase team offer proven experience and trusted execution.

Curriculum VitaeDownload

Published: October 3, 2025

Privacy Policy

Your privacy is extremely important to us. We are constantly putting a great deal of thought, effort, tools, resources and procedures in place in order to protect and safeguard your privacy. This document is our “Privacy Policy” and it contains details on issues related to your privacy when using our services. It is intended to inform you of our policies, procedures and practices regarding the collection, use and disclosure of any information that you provide through the Platform.

INTRODUCTION

NextPhaseResearch.com, LLC (herein referred to as “NextPhase Research Florida”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) on its own behalf and on behalf of its affiliates and/or wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and operates the website located at www.nextphaseresearch.com and various mobile applications (collectively, the “Website” or “Websites”). Through these Websites we offer various online services that enable visitors to the Websites (“you” or “Visitors”) to receive access to various types of healthcare information and information about our services (“Services”).

NextPhase Research Florida understands that privacy of information is of great importance to our Visitors.

APPLICABILITY OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY

This Web and Mobile Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) describes what information NextPhase Research Florida collects about Visitors on the publicly available portions of the Websites and how that information is used.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to information collected from Visitors who register and log-in (“Members”) to the password protected and secure portions of our websites and mobile applications (“Secure Platforms”). These Secure Platforms allow Members to perform certain transactions (e.g. initiate a case) and use our Services. All information stored and collected by NextPhase Research Florida or added by our Members into such Secure Platforms is identifiable, protected health information (PHI) and therefore governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”). How NextPhase Research Florida uses and discloses such PHI shall be in accordance with our Notice of Privacy Practices.

AGREEMENT TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

Your access and use of the Websites is subject to your agreement with this Privacy Policy and the Web and Mobile Terms and Conditions. By using the Website, you expressly agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection and use of information as discussed in this Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use or access the Websites for any purpose. Please print a copy of this Privacy Policy for your records.

MODIFICATIONS TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

NextPhase Research Florida may revise this Privacy Policy regarding the collection of information at any time. Should this Privacy Policy change materially, NextPhase Research Florida will give notice to you by posting a notice regarding the new policy on the Websites. The revised Privacy Policy will be effective as of its posting unless otherwise stated.

By accessing or using the Website after such changes are posted you agree to all such changes.

COLLECTION, USE AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

Either NextPhase Research Florida or a third party vendor on behalf of NextPhase Research Florida may automatically collect information while Visitors browse the Websites. We may collect such information by tracking, or asking a third party vendor to track, your click-stream activity when such information is not tied to a user ID through the use of “cookie” technology or by tracking internet protocol (IP) addresses, as explained below.

Because we want our Websites to better serve Visitors’ needs, we collect some basic information about Visitors and their devices, including, but not limited to:

  • IP address (the computer’s address on the Internet)
  • Operating system (e.g. Windows 10)
  • Browser software (e.g. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox)
  • Internet Service Provider (e.g. FiOS)
  • Geographic location (e.g. Boston, Mass.)
  • Type of device (e.g. iPad, desktop)
  • Mobile device crash information
  • Locale and language of device and whether it has fingerprint/face sensors
  • Dates and time you accessed and used the Website, features you used in the Website, and how long you use the Website overall
  • Links you click and pages you view within the Website
  • Pages you view before and after you leave the Website

We use this information to continuously enhance our Websites and to better serve our Visitors’ needs. For example, we use this information to know what browsers people most commonly use, what pages are most often visited, and what functionality is most used. Some of the information we collect from Visitors, such as IP Address, may be considered identifiable personal information (“Personal Information”). Additionally, there are times on our Website that Visitors are able to voluntarily submit Personal Information, such as their name, phone number, and/or email address in order to obtain more information from NextPhase Research Florida. We may remove personal identifiers from your Personal Information and maintain and use it in a de-identified form (“De-Identifiable Information”). De-Identifiable Information and Personal Information are collectively referred to throughout this Privacy Policy as “Information”.

The Information collected from Visitors on our Websites may be shared with our suppliers and vendors and used in the aggregate to create summary statistics that help us analyze the Websites’ usage trends, assess what information is of most and least importance, determine technical design specifications, arrange the Websites in the most user-friendly way, and identify system performance or problem areas.

By continuing to use the Websites, you hereby consent to the use and disclosure of your Information as set forth below:

  • within NextPhase Research Florida or with our service providers such as a cloud service provider in Canada or the United States for data storage;
  • with our financial, insurance, legal, accounting or other advisors that provide professional services to us;
  • to respond to a subpoena, order, legal process, or government request;
  • to protect, establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims;
  • to investigate, detect, suppress, prevent or take action regarding illegal or prohibited activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the reputation or physical safety of any person;
  • if we are to be sold, merged, or amalgamated or substantially all of our assets are to be sold or disposed of, your personal information may be transferred to a potential purchaser if, and to the extent necessary, it is required for the purposes of deciding whether to proceed with the proposed transaction and completing it. If such a sale, merger, acquisition, or disposal is completed, we will use reasonable efforts to direct the transferee to use personal information you have provided to us in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy. Following such a sale or transfer, you may contact the entity to which we transferred your personal information with any inquiries concerning the processing of that information; or
  • as otherwise required by law.

Appointment Reminders, Treatment Alternatives and Health-Related Services, including SMS Terms and Conditions

We may use or disclose your protective health information to provide appointment reminders or information about treatment alternatives. We may utilize and disclose health information to reach out to you for appointment reminders. Additionally, we may use and disclose health information to inform you about various treatment options, alternatives, and health-related benefits and services that could be relevant to your well-being. Furthermore, we may provide access to your health information through a secure online patient portal for your convenience. We may use and disclose health information to reach you about appointments and other matters. We may contact you by mail, telephone, text, or email. We do not charge you for the messages you send and receive via this text message service. But message and data rates may apply, so depending on your plan with your wireless or other applicable provider, you may be charged by your carrier or other applicable provider. By agreeing to receive text messages, you also consent to the use of an electronic record to document your agreement. You may withdraw your consent by replying STOP. Messaging frequency may vary depending on how you use our services and whether you take steps to generate more text messages from us (such as by sending a HELP request to receive assistance or more information). SMS opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties or affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. Mobile opt‑in data / SMS consent and phone numbers will not be shared with third parties or affiliates. These SMS Terms and Conditions apply to your use of the SMS text messaging and isn’t intended to modify any other terms incorporated into our Privacy Practices, which may govern the relationship between you and us in other contexts.

COOKIES

Like many companies, we use “cookies” to help you better navigate the Websites. A “cookie” is a small piece of information sent by NextPhase Research Florida’s web-based applications that are stored by your web browser on your computer’s hard drive. Cookies enhance your online experience by saving your preferences while you are visiting a particular Website. The cookies do not contain any identifiable information and cannot profile your system or collect information from your hard drive. Most Internet browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can set your browser to refuse them or to alert you when they are being sent.

For more information about the cookies that are used on the Websites and your ability to opt out of use of those cookies, please see NextPhase Research Florida’s Cookies Policy.

YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Amendment. You have a right to request that NextPhase Research Florida amend or delete the Personal Information it collects from your use of the Websites if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete, and you may request an amendment or deletion for as long as the Personal Information is retained by NextPhase Research Florida. You must submit your request in writing to NextPhase Research Florida and provide a reason to support the requested amendment. NextPhase Research Florida may, under certain circumstances, deny your request by sending you a written notice of denial.

Withdrawal of Consent. Subject to applicable law, you may withdraw your consent to uses and disclosures of Personal Information as outlined in this Privacy Policy. You must submit your request in writing to NextPhase Research Florida. Withdrawing consent does not invalidate consent to any collection, use or disclosure of Personal Information to which you consented before consent was withdrawn. If you withdraw consent, or refuse further consent, NextPhase Research Florida’s ability to offer services to you may be limited.

HOW TO CONTACT US?

Questions or comments regarding this Policy should be submitted to the NextPhase Research Florida Privacy Officer by mail or electronic means as follows:

Privacy Officer
NextPhase Research Florida, LLC
7369 Sheridan Street,
Suite 202
Hollywood, FL 33024
contact@nextphaseresearch.com

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