Change in Director of Research at MPI Research.

MATTAWAN, Mich. -- Jim Laveglia, PhD, has passed the baton of Director of Research at MPI Research to Tina Rogers, PhD, MBA, DABT, formerly the company's Discovery Center Director. In his new role as Executive Vice President, Dr. Laveglia will focus on business development and will continue to serve on the company's Corporate Management Team and Board of Directors.

Dr. Laveglia, who joined MPI Research soon after its inception in the mid-1990's, became Director of Research in February 1997. He earned his PhD from Iowa State University and has more than 33 years of experience as a toxicologist. Prior to MPI Research, he served as Director of Toxicology and Animal Metabolism at Ricerca, Inc. In his numerous leadership positions in the chemical industry and with contract toxicology laboratories, he has directed the activities of toxicologists, pathologists, technical staff, report-preparation staff, and overall corporate operations.

Tina Rogers, PhD, MBA, DABT joined MPI Research in 2007 as Director of the Discovery Center and Associate Director of Research. In her new role as Director of Research and member of the Corporate Management Team, Dr. Rogers will continue to lead major growth initiatives for the company. With over 20 years of experience in the CRO industry, she has held key leadership positions, most recently as Vice President of Drug Development at Southern Research Institute. Dr. Rogers received her PhD from the Medical University of South Carolina in molecular and cellular biology and pathobiology, and completed postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard Medical School and Tufts University School of Medicine. She currently serves on the MBA Advisory Board at the Auburn University School of Business and is a member of the Gerson Lehman Group Healthcare Council.

Company Chairman and CEO Bill Parfet, MBA states, "These are exciting but challenging economic times for the pharmaceutical and biotech customers that we serve. The contract research organizations that partner with them in moving their drug and device candidates forward need to demonstrate sharper business acumen and greater scientific expertise than ever before and Drs. Laveglia and Rogers bring those attributes to the table. With them as essential members of our leadership team, I am confident that MPI Research can meet market needs better than any other CRO."

MPI Research, with global headquarters in Mattawan, Michigan, is one of the world's leading providers of comprehensive preclinical and early clinical research and development services. Learn more about the company's commitment to be the best at www.mpiresearch.com.