Maria Reynoso
Maria Reynoso is a dedicated clinical research professional committed to advancing medical discovery while providing compassionate care for participants. She has built her career in clinical research, beginning as a coordinator at various research sites and advancing to her current role as Director of Clinical Research at Kissimmee Clinical Research. Over more than six years in leadership, Maria has overseen numerous clinical trials, ensuring regulatory compliance, scientific rigor, and patient-centered excellence. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to meaningful outcomes in medical research.
Maria’s journey has been marked by resilience and unwavering dedication, even in the face of profound personal challenges. In July 2022, while attending an investigational meeting in Chicago, she received news that her house was on fire with her husband inside. He had been diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia, and the fire was caused by a malfunctioning oxygen machine. After losing him and spending over a year in temporary housing while rebuilding her home, Maria returned in January 2023. Throughout this period, she never wavered in her professional commitment. Her personal experience as a caregiver has deepened her advocacy for greater awareness and research into frontal lobe dementia, inspiring her to educate families and contribute to a broader understanding of the disease. She is currently writing a book to share her experiences, helping others navigate the realities of caregiving and the impact of dementia on families.
The best career advice Maria has ever received “stay the course and never give up” has been a guiding principle in both her professional and personal life. It reflects her philosophy of perseverance, consistency, and integrity, which she applies daily in research leadership, mentorship, and patient care. Based in Kissimmee, Florida, Maria combines expertise, compassion, and resilience to make a meaningful difference in clinical research and the lives of those she serves, driven by her professional mantra: “Dedicated to Discovery. Committed to Care.”
• Best Coordinator Award from Previous Research Site
• Dementia Awareness Advocacy
• Frontal Lobe Dementia Education
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never giving up, no matter what life throws at you. My proudest moments have been about being consistent and being strong throughout my journey. I've had very, very hard moments in my personal life, but I didn't give up. I continued and said, I'm gonna continue with this. I think that's one of my proudest moments - not giving up and just keep going, doesn't matter what life hits you with. Life is what you make out of it. It's how you confront things, it's how you handle things and situations in your life. That's what makes a person continue in life. I believe that God does things for a reason. You don't see it in the moment, but later on, you'll find the pieces of that puzzle to put together and get an answer. My faith, my resilience, and my ability to handle things in a humble and smart way have carried me through.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from a former boss who bluntly reminded me that “there are so many people looking for work.” While initially jarring, this perspective pushed me to reassess my career path, focus on my strengths, and take ownership of my professional journey. It ultimately inspired me to take bold steps, including opening my own office, and reinforced the importance of initiative, resilience, and creating opportunities rather than waiting for them.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
There's always hope at the end of the road. There's always hope. It might not take the time that you want it to take, but I always say, hang in there, it'll come. Never give up, no matter how difficult life may become.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is that dementia, particularly frontal lobe dementia, is not being researched enough and people don't want to talk about it. It's like a taboo. People say, oh, you got Alzheimer's, but we don't really know - people start having dementia and there's a reason why dementia is caused. It could be caused by a lot of things, but it has not been researched enough. I feel that frontal lobe dementia is one of the most important things to research. The lack of awareness and understanding is a major issue. However, this presents a powerful opportunity to educate others about the causes of dementia and how it affects people's lives - not just the patients, but the caregivers and family members too. We need to talk about it openly and bring more attention to this condition so families can be better informed and supported.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Resilience, strength, faith, and perseverance are central to everything I do. I believe that life is what you make out of it - it's how you confront things, how you handle situations in your life. That's what makes a person continue. I have strong faith and believe that God does things for a reason. Even when you don't see it in the moment, later on you'll find the pieces of that puzzle to put together and get an answer. I value being open and honest with my family - I'm very open with my children, I speak up to them when I need to, and I don't hide anything from them, whether it's bad or good. I keep that communication open. I also deeply value helping others and using my experiences to make a difference. I believe in handling things in a humble and smart way, and in never giving up no matter what challenges come your way.