Our Team

Lillestol Research knows the key to successful clinical trial work is having an experienced research team that recognizes and values promptness, quality, integrity, ethical practices, and attention to detail. Our reputation for excellence is possible because of the extremely high standards we have set for our employees.

When you choose to work with Lillestol Research, you can count on the dedicated expertise of these professionals:

  • Involved, professional, and experienced principal investigator
    • 25 years of clinical trial experience
    • 200+ trials as principal investigator
  • Experienced full-time sub-investigator 100% dedicated to research
  • Certified clinical research coordinators
  • Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses
  • Clinical trial assistants
  • Medical laboratory scientist
  • Full-time recruiter
  • In-house attorney
  • Marketing coordinator
  • Information systems manager
  • Finance support staff
  • Administrative support staff
  • Michael J. LillestolMichael J. Lillestol, MD, FACP, PI
    President

    lillestolmd(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Dr. Lillestol is a board certified Internal Medicine physician in practice since 1977. He began his interest in clinical research in 1990. He has served as a Principal Investigator on more than 250 clinical research trials since that time. Dr. Lillestol earned his Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota in 1974. He has received numerous honors and appointments throughout his medical career. He is also a registered Pharmacist in North Dakota and Minnesota.

  • Jamie M. BrownJamie M. Brown, PA-C
    Director of Operations/Sub-Investigator

    jbrown(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Jamie joined Lillestol Research in 2012 as the Director of Operations. She serves as Sub-Investigator on all of our clinical trials. Jamie earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree from University of Wisconsin La Crosse-Gundersen Lutheran-Mayo PA Program in 2007. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2004. Jamie works closely with Dr. Lillestol on all of our clinical trials and directly manages the clinical research team.

  • Kimberly L. PetersonKimberly L. Peterson, JD
    Chief Operating Officer

    kpeterson(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Kimberly joined Lillestol Research in 2006 as its Chief Operating Officer. She earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Dakota. Kimberly also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Chemistry from UND. Kimberly negotiates clinical trial budgets and contracts, prepares for regulatory submission, and is responsible for overall clinic management/operation. She and her husband, Matt, have three children; Hunter, Connor, and Anna.

  • Mary L. LillestolMary L. Lillestol, RN
    Vice President/Chief Financial Officer

    mary(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Mary is a Registered Nurse and graduate of Abbott Northwestern School of Nursing and Golden Valley Lutheran College. She has been involved in clinical research with Dr. Lillestol since 1990. She has served as a Clinical Research Coordinator on multiple trials and continues her clinical research involvement at Lillestol Research as the Vice President/CFO.

  • Karissa M. EmersonKarissa M. Emerson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
    Sub-Investigator

    kemerson(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Kari joined the Lillestol Research team in 2015 as a clinical research coordinator. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Nursing in 2013 from Concordia College and went on to obtain her Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner degree in 2018. Kari currently serves as a back-up Sub-Investigator on all of our trials and practices as a nurse practitioner at ima Healthcare. She and her husband, Zach, are die-hard Vikings fans and have 2 children; Finn and Isla.

  • Amanda P. DahlinAmanda P. Dahlin, LPN, CCRC
    Certified Clinical Research Coordinator

    adahlin(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Amanda joined Lillestol Research in 2017 as a Study Coordinator. She is a Licensed Practical Nurse with over ten years of nursing experience. She earned her Associates Degree from North Dakota State College of Science. Amanda and her husband, Ryan, have two daughters, Izzy and Emma and a son Mason. Amanda was named Lillestol Research's "Shining Star" for the 2019 year.

  • Jeremy  EngelstadJeremy Engelstad, BS, CCRC
    Certified Clinical Research Coordinator

    jengelstad(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Jeremy joined Lillestol Research in 2013 as a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator. Prior to joining Lillestol Research, Jeremy had 9 years of industry experience. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Minnesota - Crookston and attended the University of North Dakota pursuing a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Biology. Jeremy and his wife, Kristi, have two sons.

  • LouRae JohannesLouRae Johannes, CDT
    Director of Finance

    ljohannes(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    LouRae joined Lillestol Research in 2008 as the Director of Finance. She is responsible for daily financial operation, coordinating of clinical research trial budgets, invoicing, payments, and other financial aspects of Lillestol Research. Prior to joining Lillestol Research, LouRae worked in clinical research and finance.

  • Katlyn R. HarmsKatlyn R. Harms, AAS
    Clinical Research Coordinator

    kharms(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Katlyn joined the Lillestol Research team in July of 2015. She attended Minnesota State Community and Technical College where she earned her Human Resources Degree. Katlyn and her husband, Nate, have twin girls; Teagan and Tenley. Katlyn was named Lillestol Research's "Shining Star" for the 2018 year.

  • Kelly KraftKelly Kraft, AAS
    Recruitment Coordinator

    kkraft(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Kelly joined Lillestol Research in 2019 as a Recruitment Coordinator. She enjoys spending time with her family, crafting and gardening projects, fishing, multiple pets, and her additional career as a Residential Realtors® with Advantage Realtors Inc.

  • Jalyn HansonJalyn Hanson, AAS
    Clinical Research Coordinator

    jhanson(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Jalyn joined the Lillestol Research team in 2017. She attended Minnesota State Community and Technical College where she earned her degree as a Medical Administrative Assistant. Jalyn lives in Fargo with her husband, Brad, and their twin sons; Liam & Paxton. Jalyn was named Lillestol Research's "Shining Star" for the 2021 year.

  • Andrea L. LillestolAndrea L. Lillestol, BA
    Director of Marketing

    andrea(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Andrea joined the Lillestol Research team in 2010 and is our Director of Marketing. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Apparel and Textiles from North Dakota State University with a Minor in Marketing from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Andrea and her husband, John, have two daughters; Lillian and Alice.

  • John M. LillestolJohn M. Lillestol, BSBA
    Director of Study Finances

    john(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    John joined Lillestol Research in 2007 as the Director of Study Finances. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration Degree from North Dakota State University. John coordinates and manages study finances within the financial team at Lillestol Research. John also manages the commercial properties owned by Lillestol Property Group and works as a commercial realtor with Core Property Group. He and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters; Lillian and Alice.

  • Kristofer M. LillestolKristofer M. Lillestol, BS
    Director of IT

    kris(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Kris joined Lillestol Research in 2011 as the Director of IT. He has worked previously for Microsoft and Noridian Administrative Services in support, programming, development and analysis of IS systems. Kris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in information systems from the University of North Dakota in 2002.

  • Alexander F. LiuAlexander F. Liu, BA, MA, CCRC
    Certified Clinical Research Coordinator

    aliu(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Alex joined Lillestol Research in 2012 as a Clinical Research Associate. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Administration from Concordia College and a graduate of the Minnesota School of Business with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assistance. Alex was named Lillestol Research's "Shining Star" for the 2013 year.

  • Pamela A. MelanderPamela A. Melander, LPN
    Clinical Research Associate

    pmelander(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Pam joined Lillestol Research in 2008 as a Clinical Research Associate. She earned her LPN degree from the North Dakota State School of Science and brings 15 years of nursing experience to Lillestol. Pam has been involved in clinical research since 2005.

  • DeAnn K. HogansonDeAnn K. Hoganson, RN, BAN, CCRC
    Certified Clinical Research Coordinator

    dhoganson(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    DeAnn joined Lillestol Research in 2010 as a Study Coordinator. She is a Registered Nurse with over 10 years of nursing experience. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Nursing from Concordia College. DeAnn was named Lillestol Research's "Shining Star" for the 2014 year.

  • Ashlyn PaulsonAshlyn Paulson
    Laboratory Coordinator

    apaulson(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Ashlyn joined Lillestol Research in 2021 as a Laboratory Coordinator. She has 4 years of phlebotomy experience as well as 2 years of experience in the research field prior to starting at Lillestol. Ashlyn is a Moorhead native and lives with her cat Blake.

  • Sara A. PropeckSara A. Propeck, BAN, RN, CCRC
    Certified Clinical Research Coordinator

    spropeck(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Sara joined Lillestol Research in 2008. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Nursing from Jamestown College in 1996. Sara also achieved her certified clinical research coordinator accreditation in 2011. She brings nearly 12 years of nursing experience to our clinic, including acute coronary care unit and oncology nursing. Sara was named Lillestol Research's "Shining Star" for the 2011 year.

  • Shannon RubertusShannon Rubertus, BA
    Administrative Assistant

    srubertus(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Shannon joined Lillestol Research in 2020 as an Administrative Assistant. She attended Minnesota State University Moorhead where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education. Shannon lives in Mapleton, ND with her husband Cody, and their two daughters; Shaylee and Cora.

  • Kayla TommerdahlKayla Tommerdahl, LPN, CRC
    Clinical Research Coordinator

    ktommerdahl(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Kayla joined Lillestol Research in 2021 as a Clinical Research Coordinator. She received her Practical Nursing degree in 2016 and has 3 ½ years of experience in the research field prior to starting at Lillestol. Kayla lives in Fargo with her daughter, Audrianna, and her son, Gage.

  • Makenzie A. VeitchMakenzie A. Veitch, BA, CCRC
    Certified Clinical Research Coordinator

    mveitch(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Makenzie joined Lillestol Research in 2017 as a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator. Prior to joining Lillestol Research, Makenzie had 9 ½ years of industry experience. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice with a Minor in Women’s Studies from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She currently resides in Moorhead with her husband, Ryan, and their two children; Ross and Monroe. Makenzie was named Lillestol Research's "Shining Star" for the 2022 year.

  • Kadie WilliamsKadie Williams
    Clinical Research Coordinator

    kwilliams(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com
    Kadie joined Lillestol Research in 2022 as a Clinical Research Coordinator. She is currently studying Pre-Medicine with the intent of pursuing a doctoral degree in Family Medicine. She has over 3 years of medical screening and research experience prior to starting at Lillestol. Kadie lives in Fargo with her 3-year-old Labrador Retriever, Hadlee.