Rachel McIntosh
Managing Director – Business Operations
Rachel brings a wealth of experience and her passion for health and people to Zave.
First starting her career as an Orthoptist, Rachel worked across busy private practices and public hospitals in three states. A thirteen-year stint at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) prepared Rachel to explore clinical research further, where she managed the Clinical Trials Research Unit during its inception.
It was at CERA that Rachel discovered her passion for clinical trial coordination, protocol development and implementation, systematic review and meta-analysis, and the idea for ZAVE was born in 2014.
With her collaborator Danielle, the vision for Zave was to create opportunities for private practices to participate in trials and give them the resources, expertise and support they needed.
Nowadays, Rachel predominately oversees Zave’s business operations, but still enjoys being involved in clinical trial coordination at the site level.
Outside of work, you’ll find Rachel enjoying time with her three children, listening to music, playing piano and camping in the great outdoors.
Education
Master’s Degree – Public Health (Clinical Epidemiology) (Monash University)
Bachelor’s Degree – Orthoptics / Orthoptist (LaTrobe University)
Graduate Diploma – Journalism(Deakin University)
Danielle Healey
Managing Director – Clinical Operations
With 25 years of clinical trial management expertise and Ophthalmology under her belt, Danielle is an undisputed leader in her field. In 1995 she commenced her career working at The Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital/University of Melbourne, Department of Ophthalmology (now known as Centre for Eye Research Australia - CERA) where she helped set up the Glaucoma Trials Unit. After more than a decade at CERA she then pioneered the creation of the oncology clinical trial unit at the Mercy Private’s breast unit in 2005, which she managed for seven years before moving to Radiation Oncology Victoria, where she managed another eight years of oncology clinical trials.
After two years of private consulting in Ophthalmology trials, Danielle sparked the idea of ZAVE with her colleague and collaborator, Rachel, and their vision for a private practice client-focussed trial setting and solution was created. Today, Danielle oversees the quality conduct of all Zave trials, and continues to manage trials of her own.
Danielle is known for her eye for detail, masterful knowledge of ICH / GCP and trial conduct, combined with her background in Psychology and Counselling, all of which makes her a well-rounded and highly regarded industry innovator.
In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family and planning her next overseas adventure.
Education
Bachelor of Science – Psychology (Victoria University)
Graduate Diploma – Loss and Grief Counselling (Victoria University)
Cleopatra Mhlanga
Clinical Project Manager
After completing her Masters in Orthoptics, Cleopatra started working in retinal and device clinical trials.
With her keen interest in ethics and study start-up, she joined the Zave team in 2018, where she’s further advanced her skills as a study coordinator and project manager.
As a mentor and manager of Zave’s junior study coordinators, she dedicates her time to ensuring the trial process is efficient, effective and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Cleopatra loves to travel and go hiking with her husband.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Pyschology (University of Tasmania)
Master of Orthoptics (University of Sydney)
Sandra Spencer
Clinical Project Manager
A highly experienced clinical researcher, Sandra brings more than 35 years of expertise in radiation oncology in both public and private sectors.
Since participating in a cattle growth study as a primary producer in the 80s, Sandra’s interest and enthusiasm brought her to North Queensland in the 90s, where she was introduced to clinical research in radiation dermatitis management.
During her sixteen years at Radiation Oncology Victoria, Sandra became a member of the research team, focussing on prostate cancer management and treatment with Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy, She also worked as program lead for clinical trial coordination, research and development and Stereotactic radiation therapy.
As a Zave Project Manager/ Study Coordinator since 2018, Sandra’s depth of practice and wisdom are an invaluable asset to the team.
Sandra enjoys cooking, music, relaxing, horse riding and getting out and about in nature.
Education
Diploma of Applied Science - Medical Radiotherapy 1978 (RMIT)