Principal Staff

Christopher Pulling, MS  Partner 

Chris Pulling is a Principal Statistical Consultant and CEO of Twadsis International. Chris holds a BA in mathematics from Hamline University and an MS in biostatistics at the University of Minnesota. Chris has been working in the clinical research field for over 11 years, developing expertise in clinical trial design, analysis, management, execution, and reporting. In addition to providing biostatistical support, Chris and his group have been able to combine statistical analysis with other aspects of the clinical research process to create unique processes proven to significantly reduce clinical trial cycle time. With over 30 successful IDE and PMA submissions to the FDA, Chris has extensive experience interacting with the FDA, IRBs, MECs and DSMBs, resulting in both medical device and pharmaceutical products reaching market.

Roy Martin, DVM  Partner 

Roy is a 20-year veteran of the medical device industry and has contributed to the testing and approval of many diverse medical devices. He holds a BA from St. Thomas and a DVM from the University of Minnesota where he also attended a residency program in anatomic pathology. He has served in leadership positions in both large corporations and start-up companies, managing preclinical and clinical research programs. His focus is on maximizing translational research and integrating preclinical evaluations with clinical trials to meet corporate and regulatory needs.

Jack Risdahl, DVM, PhD  Partner 

Jack brings over 20 years of experience in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Biomedical Research. With both a DVM and PhD from the University of Minnesota, he has held faculty, clinical, research, leadership, and administrative positions at several major academic institutions and private corporations. Jack is widely recognized as an expert in comparative biomedical research applications and has extensive clinical experience with numerous laboratory animal species. He has experience in medical device, pharmaceutical, molecular biology, infectious disease, and pathogenesis research. Jack brings expertise in operations and regulations for preclinical studies, in addition to experience in GMP manufacturing of biomedical products. Additionally, Jack has authored several book chapters and numerous journal articles on subjects ranging from chronic pharmaceutical effects in swine to genetics.

James R. Johnson, MBA  Chief Financial Officer 

Jim is Integra's CFO and has over 20 years of accounting and financial management experience.  Most recently, Jim spent 8 years as Controller for WuXi-AppTec, Inc., a Minnesota-based contract research laboratory providing GLP/GMP compliant testing to the medical device, biopharmaceutical, cellular therapeutic, and tissue based product industries.  Prior to AppTec, Jim has held financial management positions for companies within the medical device, pharmaceutical manufacturing, public accounting, and financial banking industries.

Jim received his MBA from the University of St. Thomas with an emphasis in New Venture Management and is a member of the AICPA and the Minnesota Society of CPAs.

B. Scott Brown, PhD  Principal 

Scott is a Principal Statistical Consultant for The Integra Group. After graduating with honors from Michigan State University with a BS in mathematics, he completed a PhD in statistics at the University of Minnesota, where he was the recipient of the Alumni Fellowship as outstanding third-year graduate student. Scott's extensive and varied experience in statistical analysis and study design brings an effective and innovative approach to medical device and pharmaceutical clinical research. He has developed a broad range of mathematical models including multivariate analysis, segmentation modeling, financial models and work with missing data. In addition to being an outstanding statistician, Scott is experienced in team management and integrating business objectives, having worked closely with clinical study managers, data coordinators, regulatory personnel, and research and development engineers. He has co-authored study reports and manuscripts on seven clinical trials and co-authored six scientific manuscripts published in peer-review journals.

Jody Dew, RN, MS  Principal

As a Registered Nurse, Jody has a BS in management and an MS in health service administration from Cardinal Stritch University. Jody has extensive experience in planning, managing and consulting on all aspects of clinical research including protocol development, case report form design, investigator and site clinical staff training, study management, and data management. She has developed, managed, and implemented new clinical product development programs, patient surveys, patient tracking systems, and outcomes projects.

Ingrid Trausch, DVM, MS  Study Director

Ingrid is a U of Mn Veterinary School grad who also has a M Sci Materials Science from the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont and a B Sci Ceramic Engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign. Ingrid comes to us from Medtronic where she worked from 2000 - 2008 as a Materials Research Scientist and Biocompatibility Study Director.

Chris is a Principal Statistical Consultant for Twadsis International. A skilled clinical research professional with a BS in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an MS in biostatistics from the University of Minnesota, Chris is accomplished in data collection procedures, data management, data analysis, reporting and study coordination for a range of study sizes. He has an in-depth understanding of mathematical and statistical analysis, in addition to extensive experience in designing, executing and providing statistical support and consulting for medical device companies. Chris has co-authored numerous publications and conference proceedings, and was co-author on one of the best contributed papers by the American Statistical Association, Biopharmaceutical section. With experience in working on U.S. and international clinical trials, as well as working with regulatory agencies and submissions. 

Teresa McCabe Yurik, MS  Principal 

Teresa is a Principal Statistical Consultant for The Integra Group. A former protocol manager within the Division of Biostatistics at the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with an MS in Biostatistics, she has dedicated her career to developing her knowledge, skills and experience as a Biostatistician. Teresa is skilled in all aspects of biostatistical support including study design, IDE preparation (including PMA), data analysis, and report and publication writing. Teresa has co-authored a number of published scientific articles and successfully managed the design, analysis and reporting of large, long-term clinical trials, as well as smaller clinical programs. 

Ottar Schmitz, MBA  Business Development 

After 7 years of investment banking on the West Coast and Minnesota, Ottar shifted his focus to medical research and development in 2003 after an internship took him to Vietnam for an FDA audit on chloramphenicol contamination. He then joined Twadsis International to develop that company’s marketing and infrastructure during a period of exponential growth. With his analysis experience in the financial markets as foundation for commercialization, Ottar complements his creativity in marketing, communications, and brand development. He holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas - Graduate School of Business (2003) and an undergraduate degree from Augsburg College (1996).