Who We Are

  • Better research starts with the right people, the right expertise, and a commitment to doing things well.

    Headlands Research - Escondido is a clinical research center serving the greater San Diego and Inland Empire areas, with a focus on pre-diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, diabetes related medical devices, obesity, NAFLD/MASH, vaccines, and healthy volunteer. Our experienced research team works closely with volunteers, sponsors, and partners to conduct high-quality studies while keeping participant safety at the forefront.

    As part of Headlands Research, a leading clinical trial site network, we help medical device and biopharmaceutical companies advance new products and therapies. Every study brings an opportunity to learn something new, contribute to medical knowledge, and help shape the future of healthcare.

  • Trials

    Clinical drug trials allow researchers to pinpoint effective therapies that help heal people with debilitating diseases that would otherwise not be treated.

  • Studies

    Studies are generally chosen by the estimated effectiveness of treatments currently in development. We only study therapies that have the potential to help.

  • Therapeutic Research

    Therapeutic research is research that directly intends to help participants by means of therapies designed to help improve symptoms and diseases.

  • Equipment and Procedures

    We use technologically advanced equipment and procedures to ensure the highest level of research capability and accuracy standards for every trial.

Vicki E. Miller, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Dr. Vicki Miller is an investigator at Headlands Research – Escondido. She is a medical doctor who is board-certified in family medicine and holds a Master of Public Health in epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of how diseases and health conditions affect groups of people. Dr. Miller has extensive experience conducting clinical research and has served as a principal investigator for studies involving a wide range of conditions and treatments. Her research experience includes Type 2 diabetes, obesity, vaccines, migraine, hypertension, asthma, depression, and PTSD. More recently, she has focused on clinical research involving metabolic and endocrine conditions, including studies of potential treatments for obesity and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Miller joined Headlands Research – Escondido as a principal investigator in 2026.

Jenine Yager Stone

Dr. Jenine Yager Stone, PhD, MSN, FNP-C

Principal Investigator

Dr. Jenine Yager Stone began her academic journey with a BA in Psychology from San Diego State University, followed by an MSN and RN certification from Yale University. She recently earned her PhD in Nursing Science (Clinical Research) from Vanderbilt University, where her dissertation focused on Using Momentary Assessment to Measure Insulin Habit Automaticity and Factors Associated with Insulin Adherence.

Dr. Stone has over 15 years of experience in clinical research and diabetes care. Currently, she serves as Associate Director of Clinical Research at Headlands Research California’s Escondido, where she also acts as a Clinical Trial Investigator. Her research portfolio includes cutting-edge studies on continuous glucose monitoring systems and novel diabetes treatments.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Stone held various leadership positions at Escondido, including Assistant Director of Clinical Research and Lead Research Clinician. She has also contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and received accolades such as the Dean’s Writing Award for PhD Excellence from Vanderbilt University.

Chris Kenneth Guerin, MD, FACE

Principal Investigator

Dr. Chris Guerin is an investigator at Headlands Research – Escondido. He is a medical doctor who is board-certified in internal medicine, endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, and clinical lipidology. Endocrinology is the area of medicine focused on hormones and conditions such as diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Dr. Guerin has extensive experience in clinical research, with a focus on metabolic and endocrine conditions. He has participated in studies involving Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, obesity, diabetic neuropathy, insulin therapy, and glucose monitoring technologies. His research experience includes both medications and medical devices, including continuous glucose monitoring systems and insulin pumps. Dr. Guerin has served as an investigator at Headlands Research – Escondido since 2021.

Laura Bedolla, CCRC

Site Director

Laura Bedolla serves as Site Director at Headlands Research Escondido. She started working in clinical research in 1991 and has been involved in site management since. She is responsible for the implementation of clinical studies for drug and devices since 1993. This includes trial execution and management, contracting and budgets and monitoring of strict protocol adherence.
Laura also serves as Regulatory Liaison and is responsible for the management, preparation, and submission of clinical documents for Investigational Review Board and Sponsor submissions. Laura ensures all regulatory and IRB documentation is in adherence to FDA Regulations and ICH/GCP Guidelines.

Our Mission

  • Headlands Research Escondido mission is to improve lives by advancing innovative medical therapies.  We are dedicated to attracting, nurturing, and retaining participants and staff in order to carry out outstanding metabolic research. Our volunteers, sponsors, partners, and staff enjoy working together in an environment of mutual respect that fosters personal growth and optimal health. We passionately believe that the participation of a few in clinical research studies can make a difference to the many that suffer from chronic metabolic conditions. We strive to be the best at what we do and at all times be meticulous in all our practices placing the care, safety, and confidentiality of our volunteers first.

Headlands Research is a leading globally integrated clinical trial site organization with the mission of dramatically improving the clinical trials process.

Our Brownsville location is a Pfizer partner Site with a focus on multi-therapeutic and general medicine clinical research trials.

With an experienced and compassionate staff, our goal is to make sure patients have access to cutting-edge clinical research trials so we can discover a better tomorrow together.