The AquaClinical Team
AquaClinical employees are members of the Institute of Clinical Research. We attend various training events to maintain our continued professional development. Jay has been a member of a Research Ethics Committee since 2019 and thoroughly enjoys reviewing submissions, from the other side of the table.
Jay Tatla
Founder and CEO
After graduating from Imperial College with a PhD in cancer genetics, Jay undertook postdoctoral studies at the University of California, San Francisco and St. George’s, University of London. Her primary area of interest was translational medicine and targeted therapies in oncology and preclinical trial design.
In 2007, Jay left academia and side-stepped into a career in clinical research and specialised in Study Start Up activities.
After a career break to focus on her children, Jay returned to clinical research, continuing to focus on Study Start Up, firstly for CROs, then transitioning to setting up and running AquaClinical.
Jay has an in-depth knowledge of the current HRA ethics processes for the UK market and the requirements for Ireland SSU activities.
Jay has added to her knowledge and experience by being a member of one of the London Ethics Committees where she reviews clinical trial applications. She is also a Member of the Institute of Clinical Research.
Outside of work, Jay likes to go for walks, travel and keep fit. Food plays an important role in Jay’s life, by trying new restaurants and recipes.
Liezel Pienaar
Study Startup Specialist
Liezel is a qualified pharmacist and has worked in retail and tertiary hospitals before finding her passion for clinical research. Liezel has spent the past thirteen years working within clinical research, although predominantly as a pharmacist, but also assuming various other duties and roles within the research unit.
While working with patients within the pharmacy, Liezel’s passion for diagnostics and helping patients inspired her to study further, and in 2021 Liezel achieved an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist qualification awarded by the University of North-West in South Africa.
After relocating to England from South Africa, Liezel has joined AquaClinical as a Study Start-up Specialist, offering an opportunity to both apply her clinical research experience as well as experiencing the field from a different perspective.
Outside of the office, Liezel is a keen runner. She has completed several marathons and ultra-marathons and aims to travel to South Africa to complete the Comrades Ultra Marathon in 2024. She loves travelling with her family and immersing herself in new experiences and cultures. Liezel is also an avid gardener and loving the English varieties and colours.
Debra Jackson
Clinical Trials Administrator
The early part of Debbie’s career was spent in the agrochemical industry where she worked in laboratories and on field trials studying the effects of pesticides on the environment. This work is vital to the registration of agrochemical products throughout the world. This led to her becoming involved in regulatory auditing of medical trials, in line with UK regulations.
After leaving the agrochemicals industry, she retrained to work in Beauty Therapy and became a self-employed therapist for 13 years. Debbie continued to offer her services as a consultant in regulatory auditing during this period.
In the late 2000s Debbie began work in the clinical research industry in an administration support role within study startup teams. She further developed her skills in ensuring regulatory processes and protocols.
Her core strength is a keen eye for detail and ensures that established processes are followed correctly. This is key to success in regulatory work where adherence to process and protocols is paramount.
When not working as part of the AquaClinical team, Debbie is a talented and enthusiastic golfer. She also enjoys travel around the world to sunnier climes.
Tracy Mace
Business Development
Tracy began her career as a trainer in page layout and design software in the days when the Apple Mac was changing the face of typesetting globally.
She found her passion for working with individuals, and later, teams, in their quest for growth and development. As a result, she studied for her degree in Human Sciences, majoring in psychological counselling. A strong believer in life balance and a love of learning led to various qualifications which include her many interests, two of which are exercise and nutrition. She has spent the last 30 years instructing in various capacities in corporate, fitness and personal development concurrently.
Another of her many passions has been working with teenagers, through schools, in the development of emotional intelligence.
In her downtime, Tracy enjoys running half marathons and the odd full marathon as well as painting in acrylics.
Tracy enjoys being part of the AquaClinical team where the work they do brings hope to others.
Gurjit Kaur
Senior Clinical Research Associate
Gurjit Kaur has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences. Over 20 years of experience working in clinical research with 15 years plus of experience as Senior CRA/CRA in the pharma, CRO and medical device industry. Creative professional with extensive CRA experience from concept to development with strong work ethics who is committed to make a difference in the clinical research industry. My strengths are diligent, multi-tasking, strong attention to detail, quick adaption to new environments, fast learner, self-motivated, determined and passionate about research as well as an integral team player with excellent communication skills.
Her therapeutic areas of expertise include strong oncology (Phases 1-4, solid tumour, leukaemia, T-cell Lymphoma, B-cell malignancies), infectious disease, cardiovascular, ophthalmology, endocrinology, GI, orthopaedic, respiratory, rheumatology, vaccines. She is well-versed in various EDC, CTMS and eTMF systems and is bilingual in English and Punjabi.
Louisa Vass
Senior Regulatory Start-Up Specialist
Louisa Vass
Courteney Pienaar
Study Start Up Intern
Courteney has a strong background in biomedical science, specialising in molecular cell biology.
Originally from South Africa, her academic journey led her to the UK where she graduated with a First-Class classification in July 2023.
Courteney started her PhD studies in September 2023.
Associate Network
AquaClinical is proud to have a group of experienced associates working for the company.
Our Associate Network includes individuals returning to work after a career break, those that work part-time or during term time only. Our unique work ethos gives rise to a motivated and productive workforce.
We consider our Associate Network a unique selling point.