Dr. Christopher Romero earned a combined MD/PhD degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. His dissertation work in the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology investigated the phenomenon of immuno-modulation and its therapeutic potential for sepsis, which was supported by NIAID. During his tenure at UTMB, Dr. Romero was the recipient of the McLaughlin Fellowship, the Blocker Scholar Award, and multiple NSRF awards for his work in Immunology and Vaccine related research. He has completed the Intensive Course in Tropical and Travel Medicine through the UTMB Center for Tropical Diseases.

Dr. Romero is a graduate of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, California. At the end of his training at Scripps he was awarded the Edmund L. Keeney, MD Award for Leadership in Medicine, and the Charles and Virginia Feld Award for demonstrating humanistic qualities in Internal Medicine.

After residency training, Dr. Romero returned home to the Rio Grande Valley to practice medicine in one of the most underserved communities in the United States. As an attending physician his passion for education was recognized with numerous teaching awards. He has experience in treating emerging and neglected tropical infectious diseases along the border region including Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, murine typhus, and Hansen’s Disease.

Dr. Romero went on to join the administration at Valley Baptist Medical Center (VBMC) where he oversaw the Medical Staff, Clinical Informatics, and Research departments. He was named the Physician of the Year in 2019 at VBMC. In this role he was instrumental in the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, helping orchestrate the hospital response in collaboration with local, State, and Federal resources.

Dr. Romero joined PanAmerican Clinical Research, LLC as their Medical Director for USA Operations. He served as the Principal Investigator for multiple clinical trials, with a heavy focus on novel therapeutics for COVID-19 and Phase I-III vaccine trials. He also worked closely with the Public Health sector, and US-Mexico Border entities to facilitate mass vaccination efforts to combat COVID-19 in binational events.  Dr. Romero served on the steering committee of The Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard, where he contributed to efforts to expand inclusivity and diversity in clinical trials.

He is a member of multiple medical organizations and societies, including the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and has been appointed as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Romero serves as Principal Investigator at Headlands Research Brownsville, where he continues to focus on expanding diversity and inclusivity in clinical research and strives for excellence in the development of tomorrows therapeutics and vaccines.

Rani Ramsey Rabah, MD is a Principal Investigator at Headlands Research Brownsville, specializing in general medicine with a focus on neuroendovascular and cardiometabolic research. He completed his Family Medicine residency at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and earned his medical degree (MBBS) from Gulf Medical University (U.A.E).

Dr. Rabah has contributed to peer-reviewed research exploring innovative approaches in interventional neurology, cardiovascular research, and biospecimen management. His work has focused heavily on improving outcomes in cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), particularly acute ischemic stroke, through both novel therapeutic approaches and operational excellence in acute care delivery.

He has been actively involved in multiple clinical research studies centered on innovative endovascular techniques. His research contributions include the evaluation of next-generation stent retrievers for mechanical thrombectomy, as well as novel pharmacologic interventions administered in the acute post-stroke setting. He has also contributed to quality improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing speed and procedural performance during endovascular recanalization, directly contributing to enhanced stroke workflows and participant outcomes.
In addition to his work in neurology, Dr. Rabah has contributed to peer-reviewed research in cardiology, exploring innovative approaches to vascular disease management. His work includes the evaluation of coronary function in participants with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, the impact of emerging therapies on microvascular health, and the use of next-generation stent technologies in complex atherosclerotic disease. These investigations reflect a translational focus on improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in both neurological and cardiovascular systems.

Dr. Rabah also brings significant experience in the biospecimen research arena. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was instrumental in the procurement and supply of clinical biospecimens, including critical COVID-19 samples provided to key public health institutions such as the CDC, before vaccine development. His biospecimen expertise also extends to oncological research, where he has supported genetic sequencing and molecular profiling projects to advance precision medicine and cancer therapeutics.

With a unique blend of clinical insight, research leadership, and biological sample logistics, Dr. Rabah offers a cross-disciplinary perspective highly valuable to clinical trial operations, particularly in the areas of stroke, cardiometabolic health, neurovascular innovation, and biospecimen-based translational research.

Before joining Headlands Research Brownsville, he served as a Sub Investigator at Discovery Clinical Trials and as a Resident Physician at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Denise Rodriguez, PA-C is a certified Physician Assistant with over a decade of experience in healthcare. Her diverse background includes roles as a medical scribe, medical assistant, clinical research coordinator, and now a certified physician assistant. Throughout her career, she has gained hands-on experience in emergency medicine, clinical research, pain management, and pediatrics. Denise earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduating with honors from the University of the Incarnate Word. She went on to receive her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

Denise currently serves as a Sub-Investigator at Headlands Research in Brownsville, where she brings together her clinical expertise and dedication to participant care with her commitment to advancing medical research.