Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Key Presentations
Publications
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Lestter Cruz Serrano, MD, BCMAS

Somerville,NJ

Summary

Strategic medical affairs leader with 15+ years of global experience across hematology-oncology, infectious diseases, and acute care. Proven track record driving US launch readiness, KOL engagement, and integrated evidence generation aligned with brand strategy. Skilled in leading matrix teams, forging external partnerships, and co-developing medical plans with global collaborators. Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist with expertise in AI-driven innovation, site engagement, and scientific communications. Fluent in English and Spanish.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Head of Global Medical Affairs

TZ Life Science Solutions at Cognizant
01.2022 - Current
  • Function as head of medical affairs for the Shared Investigator Platform Member Companies (Merck, Elli Lily, BMS, Pfizer, Roche-Genentech, Amgen, Bayer, and BI) and Cognizant’s LS portfolio.
  • Member of Cognizant’s Healthcare and Life Sciences Board Executive Team.
  • Provide a strategic roadmap to implementation and execution of near-and long-term healthcare, life sciences, and medical devices medical affairs strategies.
  • Forge strategic partnerships to customers in collaboration with Sales teams.
  • Manage personnel/global operations teams of technology and product experts.
  • Drive the spirit of 'One Team' across all global site success managers by supporting a team approach to focus on sites and customers as our top priority.
  • Organizational liaison assigned to refine and tailor our global strategy including integration and connectivity with a broader portfolio of Cognizant TriZetto solutions.
  • Build and facilitate close cross-functional with internal stakeholders (product, sales, client services, legal, compliance and regulatory affairs) co-creating and leading where necessary.
  • Contribute to the Net Promoter Score measurement of client’s loyalty and skew a positive reputation for Cognizant 2023 NPS (from -70 to +12) and triple Annual Surveys responses year-after-year (NPS Score for SIP had improved by 4 points in 2020, as compared to 2019).
  • Leverage strong partnership with researchers to help produce marketing end-user written and video testimonials: Alliance for Multispecialty Research Video DAM link - HYPERLINK Link.
  • Drive maturity of Site Investigator Platform to 350+ K Site User, 150+ K Investigators, 35+ K, Top 7 Pharma, across 100+ countries.
  • Encourage utility of more innovative digital technologies for more meaningful and impactful engagements and data generation and utilization.
  • Support contract negotiations for enterprise deals.
  • Ensure appropriate delivery and pricing models meet the needs of clients who require different packages.

Head of Global Medical Affairs

TZ Life Science Solutions at Cognizant
01.2022 - Current
  • Function as head of medical affairs for the Shared Investigator Platform Member Companies (Merck, Elli Lily, BMS, Pfizer, Roche-Genentech, Amgen, Bayer, and BI) and Cognizant’s LS portfolio.
  • Member of Cognizant’s Healthcare and Life Sciences Board Executive Team.
  • Provide a strategic roadmap to implementation and execution of near-and long-term healthcare, life sciences, and medical devices medical affairs strategies.
  • Forge strategic partnerships to customers in collaboration with Sales teams.
  • Manage personnel/global operations teams of technology and product experts.
  • Drive the spirit of 'One Team' across all global site success managers by supporting a team approach to focus on sites and customers as our top priority.
  • Organizational liaison assigned to refine and tailor our global strategy including integration and connectivity with a broader portfolio of Cognizant TriZetto solutions.
  • Build and facilitate close cross-functional with internal stakeholders (product, sales, client services, legal, compliance and regulatory affairs) co-creating and leading where necessary.
  • Contribute to the Net Promoter Score measurement of client’s loyalty and skew a positive reputation for Cognizant 2023 NPS (from -70 to +12) and triple Annual Surveys responses year-after-year (NPS Score for SIP had improved by 4 points in 2020, as compared to 2019).
  • Leverage strong partnership with researchers to help produce marketing end-user written and video testimonials: Alliance for Multispecialty Research Video DAM link - HYPERLINK Link.
  • Drive maturity of Site Investigator Platform to 350+ K Site User, 150+ K Investigators, 35+ K, Top 7 Pharma, across 100+ countries.
  • Encourage utility of more innovative digital technologies for more meaningful and impactful engagements and data generation and utilization.
  • Support contract negotiations for enterprise deals.
  • Ensure appropriate delivery and pricing models meet the needs of clients who require different packages.

Global Medical Affairs Director

Health Sciences at Cognizant
01.2021 - 01.2022
  • Successfully led SIP implementation at major national and international institutions (partial list): MD Anderson - Dr. Dina Aziz, Executive Director of Clinical Research, Dana Farber/Harvard - Dr. Bruce Johnson, Chief Medical Officer, Mayo Clinic – Dr. Adil Bharucha, Chief Medical Officer, Sarah Cannon Research Institute – Dee Anna Smith, Chief Executive Officer, US Oncology Network – Dr. Robert Coleman, Chief Scientific Officer, Johns Hopkins - Dr. William Nelson – Director Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Partners Healthcare - Dr. Stephen Wiviott, Executive Director Clinical Trials, Huntsman Cancer Institute – Dr. Theresa Werner, Senior Medical Director, Holston Medical Group – Dr. David Morin, CEO and Senior Medical Director, NHS Clinical Research Network – Dr. Ginette Hoare, Industry Operations Director, Levine Cancer Institute – Dr. Edward Kim, Chair of the Department of Solid Tumors Oncology, Amici Clinical Research - Dr. Robert Falcone – Chief Medical Officer.
  • Served as the point of contact for escalations.
  • Attended appropriate conferences and meetings to disseminate, maintain competency and awareness of industry trends.
  • Developed industry best practices for sites/sponsors and established communications with prominent clinical investigators to significantly turnaround and improve experience.
  • Prioritized site-facing engagement and management functionalities and capabilities.
  • Engaged with key industry associations and established agreements with top societies (AACI, ASCO, SCRS, ACRP, etc.).
  • Developed in-house Learning Management System module to train 34+ K sites and 7+ sponsors on the usage and current technology tool (SIP University).
  • Co-created a detailed clinical operational guidance document (for sites) with the collaboration of representatives from Merck, Eli Lilly, BMS, Roche/Genentech, BI, Bayer, and Pfizer): 'SIP-Site Module Functionalities by Pharma Sponsors'.
  • Worked alongside Marketing Team to draft and publish the '250K Site User – Milestone' PR.
  • Created Cognizant’s first Board Certified Global Medical Affairs Team (hiring through recruitment selection, development, and capability upskilling: terminal degree required MD, PhD, DC, RN) to improve scientific-clinical-operational knowledge sharing with a global deployment.
  • Enabled national and international Site Advocacy, Task Force, and Medical Affairs Governance Groups.
  • Gathered necessary insights and clinical validation to commercialize two new products (SIP Mobile App and Clinical System Connector for data and document exchange).
  • Spokesperson on behalf of Cognizant’s Life Science and Healthcare Teams at major industry events.
  • Conducted global cadence calls with Sponsor’s CRA/Monitors for Japan, A-Pac, NA, CA, LATAM, and European regions.

Global Medical Affairs Director

Health Sciences at Cognizant
01.2021 - 01.2022
  • Successfully led SIP implementation at major national and international institutions (partial list): MD Anderson - Dr. Dina Aziz, Executive Director of Clinical Research, Dana Farber/Harvard - Dr. Bruce Johnson, Chief Medical Officer, Mayo Clinic – Dr. Adil Bharucha, Chief Medical Officer, Sarah Cannon Research Institute – Dee Anna Smith, Chief Executive Officer, US Oncology Network – Dr. Robert Coleman, Chief Scientific Officer, Johns Hopkins - Dr. William Nelson – Director Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Partners Healthcare - Dr. Stephen Wiviott, Executive Director Clinical Trials, Huntsman Cancer Institute – Dr. Theresa Werner, Senior Medical Director, Holston Medical Group – Dr. David Morin, CEO and Senior Medical Director, NHS Clinical Research Network – Dr. Ginette Hoare, Industry Operations Director, Levine Cancer Institute – Dr. Edward Kim, Chair of the Department of Solid Tumors Oncology, Amici Clinical Research - Dr. Robert Falcone – Chief Medical Officer.
  • Served as the point of contact for escalations.
  • Attended appropriate conferences and meetings to disseminate, maintain competency and awareness of industry trends.
  • Developed industry best practices for sites/sponsors and established communications with prominent clinical investigators to significantly turnaround and improve experience.
  • Prioritized site-facing engagement and management functionalities and capabilities.
  • Engaged with key industry associations and established agreements with top societies (AACI, ASCO, SCRS, ACRP, etc.).
  • Developed in-house Learning Management System module to train 34+ K sites and 7+ sponsors on the usage and current technology tool (SIP University).
  • Co-created a detailed clinical operational guidance document (for sites) with the collaboration of representatives from Merck, Eli Lilly, BMS, Roche/Genentech, BI, Bayer, and Pfizer): 'SIP-Site Module Functionalities by Pharma Sponsors'.
  • Worked alongside Marketing Team to draft and publish the '250K Site User – Milestone' PR.
  • Created Cognizant’s first Board Certified Global Medical Affairs Team (hiring through recruitment selection, development, and capability upskilling: terminal degree required MD, PhD, DC, RN) to improve scientific-clinical-operational knowledge sharing with a global deployment.
  • Enabled national and international Site Advocacy, Task Force, and Medical Affairs Governance Groups.
  • Gathered necessary insights and clinical validation to commercialize two new products (SIP Mobile App and Clinical System Connector for data and document exchange).
  • Spokesperson on behalf of Cognizant’s Life Science and Healthcare Teams at major industry events.
  • Conducted global cadence calls with Sponsor’s CRA/Monitors for Japan, A-Pac, NA, CA, LATAM, and European regions.

Medical Affairs Associate Director

Life Sciences at Cognizant
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Led rapid-cycle, integrated evidence generation across RWE and other datasets, supported by micro-analysis to tailor information to the needs of individual regions (A-Pac, NA, European, and LATAM).
  • Co-Design and executed the strategy for technology and analytics for Life Sciences.
  • Articulated product value and return of investment (including metrics) to build trust with partners and accelerate product adoption at major US Healthcare and Academic Medical Centers.
  • Upgraded Investigators (90+ K) and staff decisions by engaging physicians, non-clinical staff, regulatory personnel, and others with customized information. This approach improved product adoption and was rewarded with opportunities to reimagine the insight-generation process.
  • Continuously gather customer feedback to refine the roadmap and keep the platform competitive and innovative.
  • Provided strategic medical direction to the organization steering resources for maximum impact, injecting new capabilities, upgrading performance at scale, while maintaining budget control.
  • Continued to drive and maintained a pipeline of new site users across all regions (on average 1,200 to 1,500 new site users per week to join platform) over the last 3 years.
  • Attended onsite meetings for new sponsors (including but not limited to: Abbvie, Otsuka, Jazz Pharmaceutical, Novartis, Biogen, and Daiichi Sankyo).

Medical Affairs Associate Director

Life Sciences at Cognizant
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Led rapid-cycle, integrated evidence generation across RWE and other datasets, supported by micro-analysis to tailor information to the needs of individual regions (A-Pac, NA, European, and LATAM).
  • Co-Design and executed the strategy for technology and analytics for Life Sciences.
  • Articulated product value and return of investment (including metrics) to build trust with partners and accelerate product adoption at major US Healthcare and Academic Medical Centers.
  • Upgraded Investigators (90+ K) and staff decisions by engaging physicians, non-clinical staff, regulatory personnel, and others with customized information. This approach improved product adoption and was rewarded with opportunities to reimagine the insight-generation process.
  • Continuously gather customer feedback to refine the roadmap and keep the platform competitive and innovative.
  • Provided strategic medical direction to the organization steering resources for maximum impact, injecting new capabilities, upgrading performance at scale, while maintaining budget control.
  • Continued to drive and maintained a pipeline of new site users across all regions (on average 1,200 to 1,500 new site users per week to join platform) over the last 3 years.
  • Attended onsite meetings for new sponsors (including but not limited to: Abbvie, Otsuka, Jazz Pharmaceutical, Novartis, Biogen, and Daiichi Sankyo).

Lead of the Hematology & Oncology NIH Cooperative Group

Catholic Health Initiatives Research Center Creighton University Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2019
  • Manage and monitor the conduct of Hematology & Oncology NIH Cooperative Group/Pharmaceutical Clinical Trials and new trials relating to Treatment, Prevention, and Cancer Control Studies.
  • Supervised day-to-day clinical research operations and timelines for Total Cancer Care Protocol.
  • Performed regular audits of assigned team to ensure data collection was completed and accurate.
  • Analyzed and summarized the Investigator Initiated Trials clinical findings, interpretation, and dissemination of all evidence generated to support dissemination, including clinical study reports, abstracts, and manuscripts.
  • Worked closely with Investigators in developing, implementing, and evaluating standard operating procedures and protocols in support of the clinical research program.
  • Addressed relevant clinical queries from Sponsors; contributed to responses regarding study related Health Authority and IRB questions.
  • Identified efficiencies and processes to improve data quality.

Lead of the Hematology & Oncology NIH Cooperative Group

Catholic Health Initiatives Research Center Creighton University Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2019
  • Manage and monitor the conduct of Hematology & Oncology NIH Cooperative Group/Pharmaceutical Clinical Trials and new trials relating to Treatment, Prevention, and Cancer Control Studies.
  • Supervised day-to-day clinical research operations and timelines for Total Cancer Care Protocol.
  • Performed regular audits of assigned team to ensure data collection was completed and accurate.
  • Analyzed and summarized the Investigator Initiated Trials clinical findings, interpretation, and dissemination of all evidence generated to support dissemination, including clinical study reports, abstracts, and manuscripts.
  • Worked closely with Investigators in developing, implementing, and evaluating standard operating procedures and protocols in support of the clinical research program.
  • Addressed relevant clinical queries from Sponsors; contributed to responses regarding study related Health Authority and IRB questions.
  • Identified efficiencies and processes to improve data quality.

Medical Services Team Lead - Oncology

Celerion (CRO)
01.2018 - 12.2018
  • Supported the conduction of Applied Translational Medicine (Global Clinical Research, Global Clinical Development, Data Management and Biometrics, and Drug Development Services) with Phase I and Phase IIa Clinical Trials for multiple pharmaceutical companies.
  • Early Clinical Trials – Collaborated with emerging and established Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies during the pathway for drug approval, with rapid and safe progression to clinical proof-of-concept.
  • Monitored the ongoing safety of study participants throughout the screening process.
  • Responsible for staff management in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
  • Certified to perform and train on screening procedures and other medical assessments.
  • Attended client and internal study meetings and relayed study details during training.

Medical Services Team Lead - Oncology

Celerion (CRO)
01.2018 - 12.2018
  • Supported the conduction of Applied Translational Medicine (Global Clinical Research, Global Clinical Development, Data Management and Biometrics, and Drug Development Services) with Phase I and Phase IIa Clinical Trials for multiple pharmaceutical companies.
  • Early Clinical Trials – Collaborated with emerging and established Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies during the pathway for drug approval, with rapid and safe progression to clinical proof-of-concept.
  • Monitored the ongoing safety of study participants throughout the screening process.
  • Responsible for staff management in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
  • Certified to perform and train on screening procedures and other medical assessments.
  • Attended client and internal study meetings and relayed study details during training.

Clinical Research – Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism

University of Nebraska Medical Center
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Managed scope, strategy and operation for Diabetes, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Cardiovascular clinical trials at Nebraska Medical Center and Omaha VA Medical Center.
  • Primary liaison to faculty physicians, pharmacists and medical staff for design/start-up, development, implementation, and execution of Investigator Initiated Trials.
  • Ensured accurate progress of clinical trials from study acquisition/start-up through study termination by serving as primary liaison to investigator, patient, hospital and company or government sponsor.
  • Maintained and tracked computerized database registration of required research subject’s data, including milestones, clinical, laboratory and tracking data.
  • Responded to unsolicited questions regarding investigational products, safety, scientific information, healthcare advances, as well as treatment trends.
  • Coordinator for top five studies: BEST Clinical Trial, National Vitamin D 'D2d' study, GRADE Clinical Trial and 'Brain Activity study in Type 2 Diabetes.

Clinical Research – Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism

University of Nebraska Medical Center
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Managed scope, strategy and operation for Diabetes, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Cardiovascular clinical trials at Nebraska Medical Center and Omaha VA Medical Center.
  • Primary liaison to faculty physicians, pharmacists and medical staff for design/start-up, development, implementation, and execution of Investigator Initiated Trials.
  • Ensured accurate progress of clinical trials from study acquisition/start-up through study termination by serving as primary liaison to investigator, patient, hospital and company or government sponsor.
  • Maintained and tracked computerized database registration of required research subject’s data, including milestones, clinical, laboratory and tracking data.
  • Responded to unsolicited questions regarding investigational products, safety, scientific information, healthcare advances, as well as treatment trends.
  • Coordinator for top five studies: BEST Clinical Trial, National Vitamin D 'D2d' study, GRADE Clinical Trial and 'Brain Activity study in Type 2 Diabetes.

Clinical Research – Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Medicine

University of Nebraska Medical Center
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Co-led Dementia Care Ecosystem study, three-year, $10M (biomedical study) Healthcare Innovation Award from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, aimed to train patients and their caregivers with decision-making, medications, and online education to improve quality of life, health care utilization, caregiver burden and satisfaction with care.
  • Led University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of California San Francisco team for 'Care Ecosystem' study, designed to underline challenges in recruitment from remote rural areas vs major medical centers.
  • Liaison between Dementia Care Ecosystem study and Academic Medical Centers and related health care organizations, including University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine Center, and Alzheimer’s Association.

Clinical Research – Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Medicine

University of Nebraska Medical Center
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Co-led Dementia Care Ecosystem study, three-year, $10M (biomedical study) Healthcare Innovation Award from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, aimed to train patients and their caregivers with decision-making, medications, and online education to improve quality of life, health care utilization, caregiver burden and satisfaction with care.
  • Led University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of California San Francisco team for 'Care Ecosystem' study, designed to underline challenges in recruitment from remote rural areas vs major medical centers.
  • Liaison between Dementia Care Ecosystem study and Academic Medical Centers and related health care organizations, including University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine Center, and Alzheimer’s Association.

Education

Medical Social Service -

Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine
01.2012

Medical School - undefined

Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine

Biology and Pre-Medicine - undefined

Universidad Interamericana of Puerto Rico
Guayama, Puerto Rico

Family Medicine Residency (R1-2) - undefined

Manati Medical Center
Manati, Puerto Rico
01.2012

Pre & Internship Certification - undefined

Manati Medical Center
Manati, Puerto Rico
01.2009

Skills

  • Adaptive Leadership
  • Business Development Knowledge
  • Organization Budget
  • Clinical and Research Experience
  • Big Data in Healthcare and Population Health environments
  • Medical Affairs Strategy & Execution: Develop and implement integrated medical strategies aligned with brand imperatives, especially in oncology
  • Hematology-Oncology Expertise: Strong therapeutic area knowledge and practical experience in hematologic malignancies, particularly Acute Myeloid Leukemia
  • US Market Launch Experience: Leading medical affairs activities for product launches within the US market, including readiness planning
  • Global Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborating within a matrix organization, partnering with clinical development, commercial, regulatory, and market access teams
  • Evidence Generation Planning: Lead integrated clinical and real-world evidence generation strategies that support product differentiation and access
  • Field Medical Strategy & Alignment: Guiding MSLs, translating medical strategy into field activities, and collecting insights for strategic refinement
  • Scientific Communications & Publications: Development of scientific content, congress planning, and publication strategies to support brand messaging
  • Strategic Partner Collaboration: Develop plans and align with co-commercialization partners, ensuring synchronized execution of medical activities
  • Team Building & Leadership: Identifying and managing high-performing medical affairs teams, mentoring talent, and fostering a collaborative culture

Certification

Board Certification for Medical Affairs Professionals (BCMAS), 2023-01-01

Key Presentations

  • Innovating at the Intersection of Technology and Medical Affairs, 2024-12-02, Podcast
  • SCRS Ambassador Symposium - Africa, 2024-11-15, Webinar
  • SCRS Ambassador Symposium - LATAM, 2024-11-08, Webinar
  • SCOPE Europe, 2024-10-29, Conference
  • SCRS Ambassador Symposium - APAC, 2024-10-26, Webinar

Publications

  • Break the Contracting Bottleneck to Speed Site Activation, Paul J, Janani V, Cruz L., 2024-11-01
  • Society for Clinical Research Sites Whitepaper: Site Advocacy Group and Cognizant Medical Affairs Team: A Collaborative Effort to Align SIP Roadmap to Site needs, Cruz L., 2024-04-01
  • Implementing Cognizant Shared Investigator Platform: Lessons From The Field, Cimaglia N. & Cruz L., 2021-04-01
  • Recruitment of Dementia Patients, and Their Caregivers Living in Rural Areas into Randomized Clinical Trial, Clark, M., Braley, T., Bonasera, S., Kreski, D., Cruz, L. & Whittington, J.

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Head of Global Medical Affairs

TZ Life Science Solutions at Cognizant
01.2022 - Current

Head of Global Medical Affairs

TZ Life Science Solutions at Cognizant
01.2022 - Current

Global Medical Affairs Director

Health Sciences at Cognizant
01.2021 - 01.2022

Global Medical Affairs Director

Health Sciences at Cognizant
01.2021 - 01.2022

Medical Affairs Associate Director

Life Sciences at Cognizant
01.2019 - 01.2021

Medical Affairs Associate Director

Life Sciences at Cognizant
01.2019 - 01.2021

Lead of the Hematology & Oncology NIH Cooperative Group

Catholic Health Initiatives Research Center Creighton University Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2019

Lead of the Hematology & Oncology NIH Cooperative Group

Catholic Health Initiatives Research Center Creighton University Medical Center
01.2018 - 01.2019

Medical Services Team Lead - Oncology

Celerion (CRO)
01.2018 - 12.2018

Medical Services Team Lead - Oncology

Celerion (CRO)
01.2018 - 12.2018

Clinical Research – Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism

University of Nebraska Medical Center
01.2017 - 01.2018

Clinical Research – Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism

University of Nebraska Medical Center
01.2017 - 01.2018

Clinical Research – Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Medicine

University of Nebraska Medical Center
01.2015 - 01.2017

Clinical Research – Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Medicine

University of Nebraska Medical Center
01.2015 - 01.2017

Medical School - undefined

Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine

Biology and Pre-Medicine - undefined

Universidad Interamericana of Puerto Rico

Family Medicine Residency (R1-2) - undefined

Manati Medical Center

Pre & Internship Certification - undefined

Manati Medical Center

Medical Social Service -

Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine

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