About Excell Research

Our Mission

Excell Research’s mission is to provide comprehensive clinical research services that expand the knowledge and application of new medication therapies for a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders.

We are dedicated to improving the lives of patients through the advancement of safe and effective medication therapies.

Our Values

At Excell Research, we are committed to:

• Delivering timely and accurate data that fosters the drug development process

• Providing patients and their families with a compassionate, supportive research environment

• Upholding scientific and ethical integrity

• Educating our team members in the latest medical advances

Our Team

Jelena Kunovac, M.D., M.S.

Dr. Jelena Kunovac serves as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excell Research, as well as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Altea Research in Las Vegas and Alea Research in Phoenix. She has over 25 years of experience in the clinical trials industry.

Dr. Kunovac conducts Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials, primarily in the CNS area. She serves on scientific and pharmaceutical Editorial and Advisory Boards. Prior to dedicating her career to clinical research, Dr. Kunovac was a practicing psychiatrist.

In addition, she is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Kunovac regularly authors scientific publications in respected medical journals and presents her research at scientific meetings around the world.

Dr. Kunovac is Board Certified in Psychiatry. She completed Residency Training in Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). While at UCSD, Dr. Kunovac was a NIMH fellow. Previously, she received a Master’s Degree in Biological Psychiatry and an M.D. from the University Of Belgrade School Of Medicine where she graduated as the Valedictorian of her class.

As a former TV talk show host in her native Yugoslavia, Dr Kunovac is in great demand as a public speaker, and travels all over the world teaching and lecturing doctors and other health care professionals on advances in the field.

Sherry Soefje, M.D.

Dr. Sherry Soefje is Co-Founder, Chief Financial Officer and Medical Director of Excell Research. Bringing close to 30 years of clinical trials experience, Dr. Soefje has participated in over 250 clinical trials in the CNS area, and has been the Principal Investigator for Excell Research since 2012.

Dr. Soefje conducts Phase II to IV studies in the CNS area including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and anxiety disorders.

Over the past 30 years, Dr. Soefje has dedicated her time and efforts to people and families affected by mental illnesses through helping advance the development of new treatments.

Ashley Snyder, Psy. D.

Dr. Ashley Snyder is the Associate Medical Director for Excell Research. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in Addictive Disorders from National University. She received her Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University.

Dr. Snyder has participated in CNS-related clinical trials as a clinician for the past 10 years. Prior to her clinical trial work Dr. Snyder has provided therapy and assessments in forensic facilities, outpatient treatment programs and inpatient hospital settings. Dr. Snyder has experience working with substance abuse issues, incarcerated populations, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders.

Excell Research: Areas of Study

Central Nervous System Disorder Studies: Alzheimer’s Disease
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
General Anxiety Disorder
Insomnia
Major Depressive Disorder
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Postpartum Depression
Schizophrenia

Women’s Health Studies:
Endometriosis
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Uterine Fibroids

General Medical Health Studies:
Chronic Idiopathic Constipation
Essential Tremors
Fibromyalgia
Migraines
Opioid Induced Constipation
Tardive Dyskinesia

Current Studies

Excell Research may be seeking participants for an upcoming clinical research study for an area or disease that is relevant to you or someone you know.

• Edgemont Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Eisai
• EnVivo
• Evidara
• Evotec
• Fanapt
• Forest Pharmaceuticals
• Impel NeuroPharma
• Janssen
• JAZZ Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Lilly
• Lundbeck
• Marinus
• MediVector
• Merck Corporation
• Millendo Therapeutics, Inc.
• Methylation Sciences, Inc.
• Myovant
• Nektar
• Neurocrine Biosciences
• Novartis
• Ogeda

• Otsuka Pharmaceuticals
• Palatin Technologies, Inc.
• Pfizer
• Pharmascience, Inc.
• Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Rexahn Pharmaceuticals
• Roche
• Sage
• Schering-Plough
• Sepracor
• Shionogi
• Shire
• Sunovion
• Takeda
• Targacept
• TauRx Therapeutics LTD
• TEVA
• Tonix
• University of Arizona
• University of Montana
• Vanda
• Wyeth