Leadership Team
Johane Simelane, MPH, M.S.
Executive Director
Mr. Johane Simelane was appointed by the Board of Directors to lead the Foundation on September 25, 2022. Mr. Simelane previously served as the Foundation’s Research Program Manager and helped oversee research in the Infectious Diseases, Endocrine, Renal, Gastrointestinal, Rheumatology, Podiatry, and other departments at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. Prior to joining BVMRF/VA, he served as a Program Manager for a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center in Harlem, where he designed and implemented an outreach program aimed at improving health-seeking behavior among minority men. His experience, credentials, and research management background are a great asset for the advancement of the research and education programs at BVMRF.
Mr. Simelane received a Master of Public Health in Healthcare Policy and Management from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and Data Analytics from Manhattan College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Skidmore College. His passion for improving access to high-quality healthcare services in underserved communities has been a driving force in his work to support VA-approved research. He continues to work with Investigators to expand research at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center and the Hudson Valley Health Care System to increase access to life-saving clinical trials for Veterans.
Heidy Sykes, B.S.
Chief Accountant
Mrs. Heidy Sykes (formerly Jacobo) joined BVMRF in 2000 as a business intern, contributing to a growing research and development program by assisting in the migration of files between accounting systems and supporting study subject reimbursement processes. In 2003, she transitioned to a full-time role as a Staff Accountant, becoming the primary administrator for the foundation’s day-to-day financial operations and overseeing accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and human resources. She played a significant role in automating financial processes, including direct deposit for payroll and electronic form submissions. Mrs. Sykes was promoted to the position of Chief Accountant in 2015.
As Chief Accountant, Mrs. Sykes supervises and manages all the organization's financial functions, including the financial lifecycle of research and education project accounts, revenue recognition and collection, federal and state financial reporting, bank reconciliation, financial statement and income tax preparation, auditing, and related activities.
Mrs. Sykes holds a bachelor’s degree in business finance from the College of New Rochelle, now a part of Mercy College. As the foundation’s longest-serving staff member with over 23 years of dedicated service, she has a unique, multifaceted understanding of financial management of VA-approved research - during her tenure, BVMRF has grown into one of the larger NPCs that is part of the NAVREF community, a reality Mrs. Sykes always envisioned as the foundation’s operations expanded to serve a greater population of Veterans.
Marianna Marisova Ramirez
Operations Manager
Mrs. Marianna Marisova Ramirez oversees the day-to-day operational needs of BVMRF, supporting the development of policies and procedures, internal controls, and the management of accounts payable and accounts receivable, human resources, and payroll, with a special focus on organizational efficiency and customer service. Prior to joining the BVMRF leadership team in 2022, Mrs. Marisova Ramirez served as the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director and the Chief Accountant.
Mrs. Marisova-Ramirez has more than ten years of customer service and administrative experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, including organizational governance and program support, project management, digital communications, and support to the Board of Directors. Mrs. Marisova Ramirez was a published photographer, art director, and graphic designer prior to transitioning to the nonprofit sector in 2017 after volunteering in several NGOs. She continues her professional education in areas related to quality management and performance improvement, organizational development, and healthcare administration. She is passionate about systems-thinking and the potential of nonprofit organizations to affect sustainable change within the communities they serve.
Grace Famodimu, M.S.
Grants and Contracts Manager
Mrs. Grace Famodimu assists Investigators in identifying grant opportunities that match their distinct research interests and objectives. She provides support during the grant lifecycle, including assistance and guidance throughout the preparation, submission, and management stages of award contract proposals to accomplish review, acceptance, and funding by federal agencies such as the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the New York State Department of Health, private industry sponsors, and foundations.
Prior to joining the BVMRF leadership team in 2023, she served as BVMRF’s Research Program Manager and Research Coordinator for the Spinal Cord Damage Research Center, where she oversaw research protocol activities including IRB documentation, study participant enrollment, and other programmatic requirements for four years.
Mrs. Famodimu earned a Master of Science in Integrative Biology from Hofstra University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from SUNY Purchase College. She continues to actively pursue grants and contract management education opportunities to remain well-informed about evolving practices in her field of work.
Carlos A. Toro, Ph.D.
Director of Research Operations
Dr. Carlos A. Toro leads the program strategy, implementation methodology, and management of BVMRF’s Core Research Program, ensuring that BVMRF's clinical research investigators have access to expert consultation, instrumentation, technologies, and specialized services.
Since joining the BVMRF in 2018, Dr. Toro has been at the forefront of basic and translational research. As an esteemed molecular cell biologist and biochemist, he specializes in spinal cord neurobiology, dedicating his efforts to uncovering the intricate molecular mechanisms that drive neuronal regrowth and neuroplasticity following spinal cord injuries. Dr. Toro is adept in a range of cutting-edge technologies, including mouse genetics, Next-Generation Sequencing, lentivirus- and AAV-based gene delivery in both in vitro and in vivo settings. His expertise extends to molecular biology, microbiology, cell culture, histology, image and data analysis, and confocal microscopy.
Dr. Toro’s primary goal is to tackle pressing health and medical challenges, aiming to enhance the quality of life for our Veterans. Dr. Toro’s scientific contributions and vast experience in managing research teams and establishing clinical and research laboratories is invaluable to BVMRF’s mission, making him a highly respected and integral member of BVMRF’s leadership team.
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