A Wilmington resident is joining Emmes, a global clinical research organization, as its chief operating officer, according to a news release.
 
Prior to her COO position at Emmes, Wendy Buckland headed PPD’s neuroscience therapeutic unit, where she was responsible for strategy, client satisfaction, operational delivery, profitability and talent development, as well as oversight for all clinical development programs in neuroscience and ophthalmology, the release stated.
 
“Wendy has an outstanding reputation with an impressive track record for building high-performing teams and leading client accounts," said Emmes CEO Dr. Christine Dingivan in the release. "Her depth in clinical operations in many different parts of the world will add immediate value to our leadership and operations team.”
 
Before being named head of the neuroscience business unit in 2014, Buckland held four different vice president roles at PPD (now part of Thermo Fisher) over nearly seven years: clinical development, Latin America; governance, risk and compliance; global quality and compliance; and strategic partnerships. Her prior clinical operations posts included senior positions overseeing Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia, followed by responsibility for emerging regions in Latin America and Asia, the release stated.
 
Dingivan added in the release, “The range of positions Wendy has held will have a direct, positive impact on Emmes as we expand globally and add more biopharma research work. Her involvement in neurology, ophthalmology, rare disease, and cell and gene therapy is important too, as we continue to expand our presence in these important therapeutic areas.”
 
Buckland began her career at PPD in 1998 as clinical operations manager in Johannesburg, South Africa, according to the release. Previously, she spent eight years at Novartis in South Africa. Buckland holds a pharmacy bachelor’s degree from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, and a diploma in business management from the Damelin Management School.
 
Buckland said, “I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to join the leadership team for this new chapter at Emmes. I am inspired by its strong commitment to public health and impressive track record of customer loyalty. I look forward to deploying my varied experience in operations, finance, quality, and customer engagement to help Emmes grow and expand our business in new areas, while continuing to innovate in service for our customers.”
 
Buckland will join Emmes in early 2023 after she concludes other commitments, the release stated.