Founded in 1991 by Deborah Dyer, RN, BSN and the late Jacqueline Smith, RN, BSN, CCRC, Central Kentucky Research Associates was Kentucky’s first independent clinical drug research facility. CKRA is also one of the few such facilities in the nation that is owned and operated by women who are not physicians.

CKRA has conducted over 500 Phase I, II, III, and IV clinical trials in the areas of Allergy, Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrine/Metabolism, Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Musculoskeletal, Neurology Pain Management, Pediatrics, Respiratory, Urology, and Women’s Health. Patients are recruited through the company’s extensive database and through advertising mediums such as television, radio, and print.

WBENC

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is dedicated to advancing the success of certified women’s business enterprises, government agencies and corporate members in partnership with its affiliated women’s business organizations. Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America’s corporations. It also is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States.

WBENC works to foster diversity in the world of commerce with programs and policies designed to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers in the marketplace for women business owners. WBENC works with representatives of corporations to encourage the utilization and expansion of supplier/vendor diversity programs.

CKRA is proud to be a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise.

Our CEO

Deborah Dyer, RN BSN
Founder & CEO
Debbie has been actively involved in the clinical drug development process for the past 25 years. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and proceeded to work in nursing and clinical drug research at the Lexington Veterans Administration Medical Center and the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Her extensive nursing and research experience was focused in the areas of acute medicine and gastroenterology. In 1991, she became the CEO and Co-Founder of Central Kentucky Research Associates, Inc.

Fernando R. DeCastro, M.D.
Principal Investigator- Dermatology
Dr. DeCastro is a board certified dermatologist who has been conducting clinical trials for CKRA for over five years in areas of skin infection, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea pedis and acne. Dr. DeCastro is a partner in the largest dermatology practice in the Central Kentucky area with 10 board-certified Dermatologists as well as a Pediatric Dermatologist.

William H. Keller, M.D.
Principal Investigator- Gynecology
Dr. Keller is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been practing medicine since 1961. In 2013, he joined CKRA as a principal investigator and is currently conducting trials in the areas of endometriosis and dyspareunia.

Terrence Robert Grimm, M.D.
Principal Investigator- Urology
Dr. Grimm is a practicing urologist who is board certified in Urology. He has served as a principal investigator for CKRA since 1995. Dr. Grimm has conducted more than 20 clinical trials in the areas of benign prostate hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, rapid ejaculation, urinary tract infection and unstable bladder.

Barnett W. Lewis, M.D.
Principal Investigator- Pediatrics
Dr. Lewis has worked with CKRA as principal investigator for over eight years, where he has conducted more than 20 pediatric clinical trials in the areas of allergic rhinitis, GERD, flu, conjunctivitis and otitis. A board-certified Pediatrician, he has been with his private practice since 1976, as well as working as an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky Medical School.

Administrative Staff

Clinical Staff

Data and Lab Technicians

Mt. Sterling Office

L. Edward Roberts, Jr., M.D.
Principal Investigator – Internal Medicine
Dr. Roberts is board certified in Internal Medicine and has served as the Principal Investigator for CKRA in Mt. Sterling since 2005. Dr. Roberts has conducted numerous clinical trials in such areas as arthritis diabetes, fibromyalgia, gout and hypertension.

Charles R. Jones, M.D.
Sub-Investigator – Internal Medicine
Dr. Jones received his medical degreee from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 2001, graduating with distinction. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and has served as a Sub-Investigator for CKRA in Mt. Sterling for over six years.

Brigitte D. King, M.D.
Principal Investigator, Sub-Investigator – Internal Medicine
Dr. King is board certified in Internal Medicine and has served as both Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator for CKRA in Mt. Sterling since 2005. Dr. King has conducted over 50 clinical research trials.

Farrah J. Conn, PA-C
Sub-Investigator
Farrah Conn is a board-certified physician’s assistant and has served as a Sub-Investigator for CKRA in Mt. Sterling since 2007. Farrah graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Allied Health in 2001 and continues to work at the Mt. Sterling clinic and Mary Chiles Hospital.

Julia K. Maness, ARNP
Sub-Investigator
Julia Maness is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, graduating from Vanderbilt University with a Masters Degree in Nursing in 1990. She has served as a Sub-Investigator for CKRA in Mt. Sterling since 2009.