Research Team & Management | PulmonIx Research LLC

Board of Directors

Murali Ramaswamy, MD

CEO & President

Co-founder, board member, & partner

ACRP-PI certified (Fall 2016); CRCP Certified (2017)

Dr. Murali Ramaswamy was instrumental to the founding vision for PulmonIx and serves as its current President and CEO. Following his graduation from medical school in India, he accepted a fellowship at the University of Iowa. He then served briefly as an Assistant Professor at the University of California San Diego before relocating to Greensboro in 2008, where he currently serves as a pulmonary and critical care clinician with LeBauer Health Care and Cone Health System. Dr. Ramaswamy holds board certifications in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Palliative Medicine. On the clinical front, Dr. Ramaswamy played a key leadership role in several system-wide health quality initiatives, from improving packed red cell transfusion practices in the intensive care unit to initiating and implementing palliative care project in the intensive care unit and transforming Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (COPD) practices within the health system.

Efforts in the COPD project led to national recognition of Cone Health System for COPD care. On the research front, he has extensive experience in both basic sciences and clinical research, with several publications in the field of COPD and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). He serves as a national steering committee member for the PFF, member of Cone Health research advisory board, and heads the Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) program at LeBauer HealthCare. Prior to this, he published the first outcomes study of Lupus in India and was awardee of the best resident research award during his residency. During his fellowship years in Iowa, he received the NIH KO8 and Parker B Francis Foundation trainee grant award to study airway biology and respiratory virus. In addition, he has been a Principal and co-Investigator in many sponsored trials that contributed to seminal publications in the field of anticoagulation, pulmonary fibrosis, etc. Before joining PulmonIx, he was the Assistant Executive Director of Piedmont Respiratory Research Foundation, where he helped with operations and served as an investigator in several clinical trials.

Other Key Persons

Patrick Wright, MD

Co-founder, board member, & partner

ACRP-PI certified (Spring 2017)

Dr. Wright was born in Owensboro, Kentucky and attended Vanderbilt University for undergraduate and medical school. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, he came back to Vanderbilt University for his Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellowship. There, his research interest was focused on Severe Sepsis and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. During this time, he produced numerous publications focused on the physiology and molecular pathways involved in Sepsis and ARDS. In 1998, he began his private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana before joining LeBauer Healthcare in 1995. He served as the president of LeBauer Healthcare from 1999 to 2005, where he then became the Division Chair of LeBauer Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep/Allergy Division of LeBauer healthcare. He has served as the Chairman of many committees within the Cone Health System and is the Chairman of the Quality Committee of ACO Triad HealthCare Network. He currently serves as the Vice President and Chief Patient Safety Officer with Cone Health. He founded Piedmont Respiratory Research Foundation, which helped coordinate industry-sponsored, NIH funded, and ARDSNET trials in pulmonary and critical care in Greensboro, NC.

Clinton Young, MD

Partner

Dr. Young received his B.A. and M.D. from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia before completing a residency and fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of Arizona Health Sciences in Tuscon, Arizona, respectively. He was a partner with Greensboro Chest Disease and Allergy Associates before coming to LeBauer Healthcare to practice Pulmonary Medicine, Sleep Medicine, and Allergy/Immunology. He has an extensive outpatient practice and serves as the only allergist in LeBauer Healthcare.

Rakesh Alva, MD

Partner

Dr. Alva graduated from Seth G S Medical College and KEM Hospital in Bombay, India prior to starting his post graduate medical training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. After completing his training he became board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. After working in Orangeburg, South Carolina he joined LeBauer Healthcare in 2008 as a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician. He is the director of the Electronic ICU (eLink) for Cone Health and also practices sleep medicine in addition to pulmonary and critical care medicine. He is a co-investigator on several clinical trials in Greensboro in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

Robert Byrum, MD, PhD

Partner

Dr. Byrum received his B.A., M.D, and PhD all from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After finishing his extensive training there he went to the University of Virginia for residency and then moved on to the University of Colorado Medical Center for training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. As a student and fellow he authored numerous papers focused on the role of 5-Lipoxygenase Activating Protein in inflammation and leukotriene production. After completing his fellowship he joined LeBauer Healthcare as a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician. In clinical practice he has performed hundreds of electro-navigational and endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopies. He is a co-investigator and Principle Investigator in several COPD and thoracic oncology trials.

Team Members

Jennifer Castillo, BS, CMA, CCRC3

Clinical Research Manager

Jennifer is a triad native currently residing in Summerfield. She graduated from ECPI College of Technology with an Associates degree in Medical Assisting in 2005 and went on to obtain her certification in Medical Assisting through the AAMA in 2008. In 2008, she joined Lebauer Pulmonary/Critical care and worked alongside Dr. Ramaswamy as his medical assistant. During this time, she was introduced to the world of research and grew an interest in learning more. As a result, she joined Pulmonix in April 2016 as the Clinical Research Assistant. In October 2018, Jennifer obtained her certification from ACRP to become a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator 1. During this time, she also worked on obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree from UNCG, from which she graduated in May 2019. In June 2019, Jennifer was promoted to Clinical Research Coordinator Level 2. Then in June 2020, during the middle of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer was promoted to Clinical Research Coordinator 3, Research Manager role. In October 2020, she became certified Project Manager through ACRP. In her current role, Jennifer is responsible for ensuring the day-to-day operations of Pulmonix run smoothly. In addition to operations she manages all staff members and oversees the execution of all of the projects that occur in the department. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children. She also enjoys practicing her photography skills and working on home improvement projects with her husband. Jennifer plans to pursue her Masters Degree in Clinical Research Operations beginning in the fall of 2021.

Josh Turner, BA

Clinical Research Coordinator

Josh was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, and recently graduated from Wake Forest University in May of 2023. He received a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science with a minor in chemistry. In his spare time, Josh enjoys spending time with family and friends, backpacking, and traveling. Since graduating from college, he has been working as a medical scribe at Twin City Pediatrics in Winston-Salem, NC. He joins our team with a passion for making a difference in the medical and clinical research world, as well as bettering the health outcomes of people in our community. Josh hopes to take the valuable experience gained from Pulmonix with him as he pursues a career in medicine as a future physician.

Tammy Miller Wilson, BA, CMA

Clinic Medical Assistant (Research)

Tammy was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina. She graduated from Davidson County community College with an Associates degree in Medical Assisting in 1999. She is a Senior at Elizabeth City State University and will receive her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in May 2024. Tammy worked for Lebauer Pulmonary as the Lead Pulmonary Function Technician for 21 years. This is where she became interested in research and was able to lend her skills to several clinical studies with Piedmont Respiratory Research as well as Pulmoniox. She is excited to join the Pulmonix team. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her daughter and her yorkie Bella.

Luis Gonzalez

Financial Assistant

Luis Angel Gonzalez was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and raised in Durham, North Carolina. Currently pursuing his B.S. in Finance and Economics at UNC Greensboro, He is eager to leverage his academic foundation in tackling complex challenges within the industry. Looking ahead Luis aims to further his education by obtaining a M.A. in Applied Economics, aspiring to deepen his knowledge and contribute meaningfully to the field. With a strong commitment to continuous learning and desire, he strives to make a positive impact.

Iulia Basaraba, MD

Research Fellow

Dr. Iulia Basaraba was born in Romania prior to moving to the United States. She attended Boston University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology with a specialization in behavior. During her time in Boston, Dr. Basaraba served as a Patient Advocate for Health Leads, a non-profit organization that works to combat inequity by addressing social determinants of health. She then went on to receive her medical degree at East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine. In medical school, she served as Vice President of Social Events. Afterwards, she completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Cone Health. Dr. Basaraba is very excited to be joining the Pulmonix team. She is looking forward to growing her clinical research skills.

Daisy Escobedo Ramirez

Regulatory Assistant

Daisy Escobedo Ramirez was born in Durham, NC, and later moved to Greensboro, NC. She recently graduated from North Carolina A&T University with a B.A. in Psychology in May 2024. Since then, she has joined our team to learn valuable lessons and skills in clinical research, expanding her knowledge in both the medical field and in life. Daisy aspires to pursue a career in Healthcare or Economics, or maybe even both! In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with family and friends.

Diwanshu Sharma, MD, MBBS

Clinical Research Coordinator I

Diwanshu was born and raised in Jammu, India. She attended medical school as well as completed her residency or MD Pharmacology, in India. During her residency period, she developed an interest in clinical research and decided to pursue this field. Diwanshu then served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, at the University of Jammu, India before moving to the US in 2017 where she is currently working as CRC-1 at Pulmonix, Greensboro, NC. She believes relationships are strength. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband and family.

Mir Habibullah Akhgar, MD, MPH

Research Assistant

Mir Habibullah Akhgar was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. He received his Medical Doctor (MD) degree from Kabul Medical University in Afghanistan, and earned a Masters Degree in Public Health from Jodhpur National University in India. He served as a Medical Doctor, Human Resource Development Manager and Senior Manager of Human Resource Development (HRD), Advocacy Communication & Social Mobilization (ACSM) and New Initiative with the National Tuberculosis Control Program/Ministry of Public Health Afghanistan for eighteen years before moving to the US. He is passionate about research as he believes discoveries and advancements in medicine can help improve peoples’ health and quality of life. He is excited to join the Pulmonix research team as a Research assistant and gain clinical research skills and knowledge that will help him become an experienced health provider.

Belle Powell

Talent Acquisition Specialist (remote)

Campbelle “Belle” Powell was raised in Columbus Ohio before moving to Greensboro, North Carolina. She is currently pursuing a BS with a double major in Economics and Finance. Looking ahead, she aims to further her education through graduate school. Campbelle is excited about the prospect of merging her academic knowledge with real-world applications.

Mariella Castillo

Business Assistant Intern

Mariella Castillo was born and raised in Greensboro, NC. She graduated from Northwest Guilford High School in 2023 and is currently a sophomore at Ferrum College where she is studying Business Administration and Sports Marketing with a minor Graphic Design. She is also a student athlete and is a member of the Ferrum softball team. She is delighted to join the Pulmonix team and use her knowledge in real-life situations.

Leigh Ann Pool, MD

CRC II

Dr. Leigh Ann Pool is from Columbia, Missouri. She attended Duke University where she received a BS in Psychology followed by her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. She completed a residency in Pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina. She worked as a general pediatrician in Charleston, SC and then Greensboro, NC before taking extended time off to raise four children. She returns to the medical field to pursue an interest in clinical research. Dr. Pool is married and has four children and a yellow labrador retriever. She enjoys time with her husband and kids as well as reading, hiking, swimming, and gardening.

Edgar Romero Hernandez

Revenue Capture Intern

Edgar Hernandez was born in Okinawa, Japan but calls North Carolina home. He is currently a junior at UNCG studying Business Administration with a minor in Information Technology, and is a part of the Accelerated Masters Program beginning on his MBA. He has career aspirations of working in healthcare administration after graduation. In his free time he tries to be involved on campus by joining clubs such as the Spartan Investment Club and Men’s Club Volleyball, or by serving the community as a team leader in the Bryan School of Business. Edgar is thrilled to join the team and is ready to learn.

Dhruvi Parmar (she/her)

Clinical Research Intern

Dhruvi Parmar received her B.S. in Chemistry from UNC Asheville and then went on to receive her M.A. in Medicine, Health, and Society from Vanderbilt University. She began doing research in college on synthesizing novel antibiotic-adjuvant hybrids to combat antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. During her time at Vanderbilt, she conducted clinical research on biomarkers for preeclampsia and the effects of health disparities on cardiovascular disease. She joined PulmonIx to further her interests in clinical research and expand her skills for medical school. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, and spending time outdoors. She hopes to apply the knowledge gained from PulmonIx to become a well-rounded future physician.