The Research Team

The Spokane Eye Clinical Research team is a group of highly trained and knowledgeable individuals who are exclusively assigned to aid in conducting clinical trials at the Spokane Eye Clinic. Each member of the research team is certified in Good Clinical Practice, Human Subject Protection, Conflicts of Interest, ETDRS/BCVA, and IATA certified for handling/shipping biological samples. The research team always strives to provide the best care for subjects taking part in clinical research trials while providing high-quality information to the sponsors of the studies. Please see below to learn more about the members of our team:

Meet the Team

Robert S. Wirthlin, MD

Medical Director of Clinical Research

Dr. Wirthlin is a member of numerous professional societies. He has given research presentations at national meetings and published articles in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals. His professional areas of interest include diabetic eye disease, other retinal vascular diseases, ocular trauma, ocular imaging, age-related macular degeneration, and repair of retinal detachment, macular holes, and epiretinal membranes. Dr. Wirthlin has been a principal investigator on over a dozen clinical trials.

Dylan Waidelich, COA, CCRC

Director of Clinical Research

Dylan is a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Certified Clinical Research Coordinator, and a Certified Phlebotomist. Dylan has been part of the practice since 2010 and has been a member of the research team since 2013. Dylan is certified in numerous imaging protocols with many key local and international reading centers. Dylan’s experience includes working in both the Diagnostic Services Department and the retinal physician’s areas.

Brian Skea, COA, CRC

Research Coordinator II

Brian is a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant and Certified Phlebotomist with a total of 16 years of experience in the medical field. Brian is certified in imaging protocols with many key local and international reading centers. Brian has been part of the practice since 2013 and has been a member of the clinical research team since 2016. Brian’s experience includes working in the retinal physician’s areas.

Wendy Black, RA

Research Assistant I

Wendy is a Research Assistant with a total of 13 years of experience in the medical field. Wendy is certified in BCVA/ETDRS Vision for many studies through various credentialing organizations. Wendy has been part of the practice since 2010 and has been a member of the clinical research team since 2019.

Jessica Gauche, COA

Research Coordinator I

Jessica is the newest Research Coordinator with a total of 13 years of experience in ophthalmology and is a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. She started working at Spokane Eye Clinic in 2009 and has been working in ophthalmology ever since, between the Spokane Eye Clinic and a practice in Seattle. She moved back to Spokane in 2017. Jessica Joined the research department in January 2022.

What We Do

“Dedicated to proving a safe, scientific, and patient-oriented experience while conducting all clinical research studies” 

  • SECR  facilitates and coordinates approximately between 1500-2000 patient visits a year that are specifically tied to only clinical trials
  • In the 11 years SECR has been established, we have conducted over 55 clinical studies in pediatrics, retina, glaucoma, dry eye, and uveitis 
  • Research visits last between 2.5 hours to 4.0 hours. This is because of having to see two doctors and the extensive testing 
  • SECR also works with other research practices in the region to help them conduct aspects of the studies that require eye exams
  • SECR team members are required to be certified for most tasks they perform from vision testing to imaging
  • The department supports the clinic by helping with blood draws and slivia tests for genetic testing