Fragile X Research Team | UC Davis MIND Institute

Abigail Borbe is a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator supporting the Hagerman Team and Genomic Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Coastal Sciences and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Davis. She has worked for the MIND Institute since 2016 and has been driven by a need to enrich the lives of research participants by providing them with all the tools and resources they need in order to make a difference in the world. She is a certified clinical research professional through the Society of Clinical Research Associates. She is responsible for the management, coordination, and regulatory oversight of FDA-regulated studies, clinical registries, government-funded research, and investigator-initiated research studies in multiple therapeutic areas. 

E-mail: amoradelhigareda@health.ucdavis.edu 

Phone: 916-703-0301
E-mail: ersameheys@health.ucdavis.edu 

Lisa Makhoul has been working with Professor Paul Hagerman since 2001 and joined MIND Institute Medical Director, Randi Hagerman, in 2012. She plays a vital role as a connection between the faculty and their Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine and Pediatrics, as well as the MIND Institute, School of Medicine, and others. Her main focus is to provide support for their research programs, both in basic and clinical fields. As a clinical research coordinator, she handles various responsibilities, including communicating with participants for the fragile X tissue repository and doing regulatory work for different clinical trials and research studies at the MIND Institute. Additionally, she takes charge of several administrative tasks, such as coordinating and submitting grant proposals, hiring staff for studies, collaborating with finance teams, and doing editing.

E-Mail: lmakhoul@health.ucdavis.edu 

Hazel Maridith B. Biag administers neurocognitive assessments for several clinical trials and research studies focusing on fragile X syndrome and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Hazel graduated from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) with a bachelor of science in Human Biology and went on to receive her medical degree from the University of the East, Ramon Magsaysay (UERM). In the future, Hazel plans to further her medical training by pursuing residency in general pediatrics and to further subspecialize in developmental and behavioral pediatrics.

Phone: 916-703-0331 
E-mail: hbbiag@health.ucdavis.edu 

Silvia Navarro Ibanez is an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator who joined the fragile X research team in the lab of Randi Hagerman, M.D., at the UC Davis MIND Institute in January 2024. She helps with several research studies on fragile X syndrome. Her work includes helping coordinate study visits with participants, collecting research information, and making sure the studies follow required rules and guidelines. Before joining the MIND Institute, Silvia worked in community health settings in San Diego and Sacramento where she had many patient-facing roles. These experiences helped her build strong skills in supporting and communicating with families. Silvia is dedicated to helping families feel informed, welcomed, and supported while they take part in research. She is passionate about contributing to research that improves the lives of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions and their families.

Phone: 916-703-0471
E-mail: snavarroibanez@health.ucdavis.edu 

Ellery Santos joined the Fragile X Research and Treatment program in 2018 administering neurocognitive assessments and coordinating research study visits. Ellery graduated from UC Davis in 2004 with a degree in Biological Sciences, obtained a master’s degree in public Health from Touro University and a medical degree from St. George’s University, West Indies. His research has focused on fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and following those affected with FXTAS over time.

E-mail: ersantos@health.ucdavis.edu