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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Gastroenterology

Investigators

Dr. Howard Schwartz
Howard I. Schwartz, MD
Dr. Peter Ventre
Peter P. Ventre, MD
Maria Companioni, DNP, APRN-BC
Maria Companioni, DNP, APRN-BC

Over 50 Years of Combined Research Experience

  • More than 250 trials conducted
  • Dedicated infrastructure for inpatient and outpatient metabolic research.
  • Training and certification with all major rating companies
  • Expertise in adult, pediatric and elderly populations

Experience in

  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
  • Obesity & Weight Management
  • Dyslipidemia (cholesterol & lipid disorders)
  • Hypertension associated with metabolic conditions
  • Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) / NASH
  • Endocrine and Hormonal Disorders (e.g., thyroid-related metabolic dysfunction)

Selected Industry Collaborations –Dr. Howard Schwartz, MD

  • Sanofi Synthelabo – Phase III Weight Loss Trial
  • Novartis – Phase II Weight Management & Sarcopenia Trials
  • Takeda Pharmaceuticals – Type II Diabetes Trial
  • Pfizer – Obesity, Gallstones & NAFLD Trials
  • Eli Lilly – NASH, Type II Diabetes, and Obesity Studies
  • GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) – Phase III Weight Loss Study
  • Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) – Type II Diabetes Trial
  • Orexigen Therapeutics & Arena Pharmaceuticals – Obesity & Weight Loss Trials

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