Advancing medicine, one trial at a time.
The region's premier site for kidney studies: an independent clinical research institute in Augusta, Georgia, and the dedicated trials arm of Nephrology Associates, PC.
We practice medicine, and help write it.
Southeastern Clinical Research Institute, LLC is the dedicated trials arm of Nephrology Associates, PC, the largest private-practice nephrology group in the Central Savannah River Area. Our research program began more than 25 years ago as Kidney Care, under Dr. Hertel Patel, and was incorporated as an independent clinical research institute in 2005. We exist to bring rigorously studied, next-generation kidney therapies to the people of the CSRA, years before they reach general practice.
Every study is IRB-governed, coordinated by GCP-trained, ACRP-certified research staff, and overseen by the same board-certified nephrologists who care for our patients every day. Research here is not separate from care. It is an extension of it.
Dr. Matthew Diamond, DO, FASN, FACP · Medical Director
More than 25 years of kidney research in Augusta.
- 25+ years agoKidney Care
The research program begins under Dr. Hertel Patel, bringing industry kidney trials to the CSRA for the first time.
- 2005Incorporated as SCRI, LLC
Southeastern Clinical Research Institute becomes an independent clinical research institute owned by Nephrology Associates, PC.
- 2021Research Operations
Katherine Peacock joins as Director of Research Operations, bringing 20+ years of industry trial management from CDA execution through closeout.
- TodayThe region's kidney research center
200+ studies for 18 sponsor partners and investigators published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Led by Dr. Matthew Diamond, DO, FASN, FACP
Every SCRI investigator is a practicing, board-certified nephrologist at Nephrology Associates, PC, the same physicians our patients see in clinic.
Dr. Matthew DiamondDO, FASN, FACP
Former Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia and a SPRINT site investigator, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on intensive blood-pressure control and chronic kidney disease. A Fellow of both the American Society of Nephrology and the American College of Physicians, he directs every study SCRI runs.
Every physician of Nephrology Associates, PC is an investigator with Southeastern Clinical Research Institute. There is no research wing and clinical wing: the nephrologist who sees a patient in clinic is the one who enrolls and follows them on protocol.
Barton BrezinaMD
U.S. Air Force veteran with a nephrology fellowship at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Research interests in acute kidney injury, glomerulonephritis, and dialysis.
H. Doug HubertMD
Co-author of the NEJM vadadustat studies in anemia of kidney disease; manages the full arc of chronic kidney disease.
Devesh PatelMD
Site investigator on the landmark DAPA-CKD trial; Clinical Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Georgia, interventional nephrologist, and dialysis medical director.
S. Nabil BabarMD
Clinical hypertension specialist (ASH) with interventional nephrology certification (ASDIN), the colleague other physicians call when blood pressure will not behave.
Ryan AltenburgDO
Nephrology fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; U.S. Army veteran; medical director of two regional dialysis centers.
James StenardMD, MS
MIT-trained engineer turned board-certified nephrologist, caring for the full range of kidney disease.
Michael B. WhitlowMD
Nephrology fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; concentrates on the pre-dialysis window of chronic kidney disease, where the CKD protocols enroll.
Nadeem AfzalMD
Nephrology fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia; MRCP (England) and FCPS; decades of CSRA practice with a focus on diabetic kidney disease and long-term preservation of kidney function.
Trevor TobinDO
Glomerular disease and transplant nephrology; published in Military Medicine on kidney-disease outcomes among active-duty service members.
The people who run the studies.
Our coordinators complete more than two years of hands-on experience before certification. Several hold professional certification from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
Katherine Peacock
Mrs. Peacock joined SCRI in 2021 and brings 20+ years of industry trial management, directing trials from CDA execution through study closeout. She holds a Bachelor of Economics from Oglethorpe University and a Master of Public Administration from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. She is the first call for sponsors and CROs, and runs the budget and contract desk.
- Heather AndersonCertified Clinical Research Coordinator
- Meredith PrichardRegulatory Coordinator · CCRC
- Deanna QuintonCertified Clinical Research Coordinator
- Hannah SpringfieldClinical Research Coordinator
- Judith SextonClinical Research Coordinator
- MaKayla GorePharmacy and Lab Manager
- Malachi WilliamsResearch Assistant
- Grant LittleResearch Assistant
- Trashauna FranklinAdministrative Assistant
- Lillie KingFront Receptionist
Interested in learning more?
See if a study fits
Tell us a little about your kidney health and we will call you back. It costs nothing to ask.
Start here →Refer a patient
We screen against every open protocol and report the outcome back to your office, either way.
Refer now →Bring us your protocol
Call to discuss feasibility with a site that has delivered kidney trials for more than 25 years.
Call (706) 922-3005 →Southeastern Clinical Research Institute, LLC · 1521 Anthony Road, Augusta, Georgia 30904 · (706) 922-3005 · Fax (706) 722-5843
Two things worth reading
Written by the research team at the region's kidney research center, for patients, physicians, and sponsors alike.
Why a research institute owned by the treating nephrologists finds the patient, keeps the patient, and returns clean data. With the record to show for it.
Read the paper → From the blog Polycystic kidney disease: the research behind the first treatment, and Augusta's part in itWhat ADPKD is, what tolvaptan does, what comes next, and what families can do now.
Read the article →