- Clinical research is late-stage medical research that involves people who participate in observational studies or clinical trials.
- Observational studies allow researchers to observe patients in normal settings. As a result, the researchers can gather information, identify characteristics, and monitor change over time.
- Clinical trials are studies that test medical, surgical, or behavioral interventions. These trials provide critical information about the effectiveness of a new medication or treatment. Clinical trials can also evaluate diagnostic tests and other types of health assessments.
When people hear research, especially from a healthcare provider, they think ‘guinea pig’ or worse. There have been awful things that have happened in the name of medical research in the past, and because of those incidents researchers have strived to do better, to be safer, and to honor the most important part of our research - our subjects.
There are federal laws, international guidelines, and special review boards designed to help protect subjects and assure research is done in safe and ethical way. It is important to remember that as a research subject you are a volunteer. If at any time you do not wish to continue in a study it is your right to withdraw. At each visit we reassess that you are still willing to proceed with the study.
There is an element of risk present in all medical procedures, even thoroughly tested and approved options. However, during a clinical trial, the Endocrine Associates of West Village PC team and the medical researchers take every step to protect your health and safety.
- Clinical trials follow strict ethical guidelines and are monitored by an institutional review board (IRB). Ethical guidelines protect participants and preserve scientific integrity. IRB scrutiny ensures that the potential benefits outweigh any risks associated with the trial.
- Gain access to potential new treatments: You might become one of the first to experience and benefit from innovative medications and therapeutic approaches.
- Contribute to medical progress: Your participation helps generate valuable data that shapes the development of effective new treatments for future generations.
- Make a difference in your community: You play a pivotal role in advancing healthcare not just for yourself, but for others struggling with similar conditions.
Yes, as a research subject you are a volunteer. That means you can leave a study at any time for any reason. We try to enroll patients who believe they will be able to commit to the full length of the study, but we do understand that life can sometimes can change and you may need to end participation.
If you do choose to leave most studies will ask that you do one more additional visit for safety reasons.
A study protocol is a detailed document, or plan, that explains how a study is to be conducted, who is eligible to be a subject, what researchers hope to learn about, and all other aspects of the study. All clinical trials are conducted according to their study protocol to make sure that:
1. Subjects are safe.
2. The study is conducted the same across all sites (whether in the United States or across the world)
When we have questions in conducting the research, the first thing we ask ourselves is, “What does the protocol say?”
Without people willing to help answer questions and move medical science forward, there would be no progress. This includes recent ‘wonder’ drugs like Mounjaro and new devices like insulin pumps an glucose sensors.
These recent medical advances could not move forward without people willing to volunteer their time to research and answer questions like; “Will this drug help people lose weight?” “Can this new device give people better blood glucose numbers without causing lows?” and “Does this medication prevent future complications?”
The questions can be big or small, but they will always need willing volunteers to answer them. Helping with these questions help move forward not only your own health, but everyone else’s as well.
- Focus on patient well-being: We go beyond research results; our dedication to patient care extends to ensuring informed participation and prioritizing your safety and comfort throughout the research process.
- Diversity and inclusion: We believe in the power of a diverse research pool and actively recruit participants from all backgrounds and ethnicities. Our convenient locations in Long Island City (Queens) and Manhattan (32nd St & Lexington Ave) make participation accessible to residents across the five boroughs with bi-lingual staff of diverse backgrounds.
- Experienced leadership: Under the guidance of Dr. Anastasios Manessis, MD, FACE, ECNU, a renowned endocrinologist with extensive experience in clinical trials, and a team of experts in endocrinology, nutrition, and research, we conduct trials with the highest scientific rigor and ethical standards.
- Extensive network: We collaborate with major pharmaceutical companies and established CROs on various research projects, leveraging our deep connections in the industry to offer diverse and impactful research opportunities.
- Specialized expertise: Our research focuses on critical areas like diabetes (type 1 & 2), diabetic technologies & devices, metabolic syndrome, obesity, weight management, and nutrition, contributing to advancements that directly benefit patients suffering from these conditions.

We are a research center focused on moving progress forward in the medical field with our trained staff of skilled research professionals composed of nurses, dieticians, certified diabetes care & education specialists, & pharmacists.

A group photo of medical professionals with the title 'Meet the Team'. The image includes headshots of doctors and nurses with their names and titles, arranged in a grid format, centered around Dr. Anastasios Manessis in the middle.

Anastasios Manessis, MD, FACE, ECNU, ABOM

Anastasios Manessis, MD, FACE, ECNU, ABOM, is a double-board certified physician at Endocrine Associates of West Village PC in Murray Hill, Manhattan, and Long Island City, New York, specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism and obesity medicine. Dr. Manessis has an endocrine certification in neck ultrasounds and has extensive experience in diagnosing, treating, and managing endocrine disorders, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, hormonal dysfunction, and obesity.

Dr. Manessis pursued his undergraduate education at Manhattan College, graduating magna cum laude with distinction in biochemistry. He earned his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Manessis completed a combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at New York Medical College at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in New York. Following a year as chief medical resident, he completed a two-year clinical fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, where his research interest, among others, involved the use of insulin pumps in patients with Type II diabetes.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Manessis was a faculty member in the Department of Medicine at New York Medical College from 2008-2010. He then joined the faculty of New York University in 2011. He has been involved in many clinical research projects, including long-term studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GLP-I agonists and weight loss agents. Dr. Manessis’ primary clinical interest includes the treatment of diabetic patients with insulin pumps and how it has benefited the well-being of patients long-term.

Maria Patruno, RDN, CDN, CDCES

Maria Patruno is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist. She received her BA from Queens College of the City University of New York in Family, Nutrition and Exercise Science. She went on to complete her American Dietetic Association Internship at University Hospital and Medical Center at Stony Brook. She received her credentials as a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist in 1997 and as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in 2003.

Prior to joining the clinical team at Endocrine Associates of West Village, Ms. Patruno has worked with various private medical practices as well as at the NY-Presbyterian Queens Hospital.

She currently works with the clinical team at Endocrine Associates of West Village providing direct patient care and developing diabetes education programs as the Director of Diabetes Education.

Catherine Theofanis, PharmD

Yanette Mesen

Juliya is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner, licensed in New York and New Jersey. She earned my Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Stony Brook University, where she discovered a deep passion for science and patient-centered care. Following her undergraduate studies, Juliya pursued nursing and began her career as a registered nurse in pain management and the operating room.
Driven by a desire to expand her role in patient care, she enrolled in the Master’s program at NYU College of Nursing, graduating as a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care. During clinical rotations, Juliya trained under Dr. Manessis, which sparked her interest in endocrinology. It was through this experience that she came to appreciate the impact of clinical research in advancing care and outcomes, having most recently taken on the role of clinical research coordinator and sub-investigator with NYC Research.