Dr. Liz Gagne

Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Gagne is the Director of Clinical Research and one of the founding members of Vascular Breakthroughs. She started her research career in basic research. She received her PhD in Cellular Biology from New York University in 1989 and afterwards conducted post-doctoral studies on the mechanisms of action of the c-fos oncogene with Dr. Robert Roeder at Rockefeller University. She later joined the NYU Surgery Department laboratories and studied the role of the extracellular matrix and blood vessel growth (i.e. angiogenesis) in tumor growth and tissue ischemia. Dr. Gagne pivoted to her current role as a clinical research scientist in 2011, working with her husband, Paul Gagne, MD, in the study of treatments for symptomatic deep vein occlusive disease. This has evolved into studies of therapies for all aspects of peripheral vascular disease. Liz is pleased to be able to apply her skills learned in the research lab in the scientific method and data analysis to enable clinical data collection and analysis from patient care metrics. Her goal is to both expedite medical device commercialization and to expand medical device indications. Bringing new and innovative therapies directly to the bedside to improve patient’s lives has been an important motivator for Liz in her transition from the basic science laboratory.

In collaboration with her husband Paul, Liz founded Vascular Breakthroughs in 2012. The vision of this organization was to provide clinicians, outside of traditional academia, with both a research infrastructure and trial support, to facilitate participation in clinical trials and produce high quality data. Through this endeavor a robust research institution took its roots. Vascular Breakthroughs allows a broad network of practicing Vascular Surgeons to participate in research. More importantly, Vascular Breakthroughs provides patients with access to new technologies in their communities. Patients receive cutting edge vascular care without needing to travel to major medical centers.

Dr. Elizabeth Gagne directs all aspects of clinical trial project management. She guides new projects from early introductions to trial start-up and implementation, and to data collection and analysis for presentation and publication. The research landscape is constantly changing, and Liz enjoys the challenge of overcoming hurdles to meet the needs of sponsors and patients in order to move clinical research forward in an impactful way.