Travis Taylor MD, FACC, FSCAI, CHS
Principal Investigator & Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. Travis Taylor is a board-certified interventional cardiologist and a principal investigator with South Texas Clinical Research. He brings over a decade of clinical expertise in cardiovascular care, specializing in complex percutaneous interventions (PCI), structural heart procedures including MitraClip and Watchman, and peripheral interventions.
Dr. Taylor currently practices at Coastal Cardiology in Corpus Christi and serves as the Cardiovascular Section Chief at Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital. He is also the founder and medical director of an American Heart Association-certified Hypertension Practice Center.
A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and an active member of multiple national cardiology societies, Dr. Taylor has led and contributed to numerous clinical trials focused on cardiovascular risk, lipid disorders, resistant hypertension, and cardiometabolic disease.
As a dedicated research physician, Dr. Taylor plays a vital role in advancing innovative therapies for patients across South Texas.
Lloyd H. Stegemann, MD, FASMBS
Principal Investigator & Bariatric Surgeon
Dr. Lloyd Stegemann is a board-eligible general surgeon and nationally recognized expert in obesity and metabolic care. Based in Corpus Christi, Texas, he serves as a principal investigator with South Texas Clinical Research and brings over two decades of surgical and clinical experience to the team.
He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and completed his residency in General Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Stegemann is the founder of The Better Weigh Center, where he has provided surgical weight loss solutions since 2012.
An active leader in the field, Dr. Stegemann has held positions including President of the Texas Association of Bariatric Surgeons and serves on the Board of Directors for the Obesity Action Coalition. He has been a key investigator in numerous clinical trials focused on type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk, and novel pharmacotherapies.
With a passion for advancing obesity treatment and improving patient outcomes, Dr. Stegemann plays an integral role in the research and innovation efforts at South Texas Clinical Research.
Celia-Reyes Acuna, M.D
Principal Investigator & Pediatric Specialist
Dr. Celia Reyes Acuna is a board-certified pediatrician with over five decades of clinical and research experience. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator at South Texas Clinical Research, where she leads pediatric and vaccine-focused clinical trials that contribute to the advancement of public health and childhood disease prevention.
A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, Dr. Acuna completed her medical training and pediatric residencies at prestigious institutions including Tulane University and Baylor College of Medicine. Her diverse career includes experience as a pediatrician in Hawaii and Texas, and she has served in leadership and research roles since the 1970s.
Dr. Acuna has led and participated in numerous clinical trials examining the safety and immunogenicity of vaccines for infants, children, and adolescents—including studies on varicella, pneumococcal disease, HPV, and SARS-CoV-2. Her longstanding dedication to pediatric research has made her a trusted figure in the Corpus Christi medical community.
Vanessa Casanova Gonzalez, MD, FAAP
Sub-Investigator & Board-Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Vanessa Casanova Gonzalez is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics with a deep commitment to advancing pediatric care through research and education. She currently serves as a Sub-Investigator at South Texas Clinical Research in Corpus Christi, where she supports clinical trials focused on vaccine safety and pediatric infectious diseases.
Dr. Gonzalez earned her medical degree and completed her pediatric residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, with a research focus on pediatric lupus and insulin resistance. She has served in multiple clinical roles across South Texas, including as a Pediatric Urgent Care Attending at Driscoll Children’s Hospital and a Primary Care Provider at Sunnyside Pediatrics.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Gonzalez is also active in medical education and mentorship, guiding residents and students in clinical settings. Her clinical and research expertise uniquely positions her to contribute to improving child health outcomes across diverse populations.
Wieslaw (Wesley) Jakubowski, MD
Principal Investigator & Board-Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Wieslaw Jakubowski is a seasoned board-certified pediatrician with over four decades of clinical and academic experience. Since 2021, he has served as a Principal Investigator at South Texas Clinical Research, where he leads pediatric-focused clinical trials advancing vaccine safety, infectious disease prevention, and immunologic research.
Dr. Jakubowski earned his medical degree from the Pomeranian Academy of Medicine in Poland and has been licensed in Texas since 1995. He is also an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University and a long-standing Teaching Attending Physician at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi.
His clinical research portfolio includes numerous Phase 1–3 studies involving pediatric and adolescent vaccines, including RSV, pneumococcal, HPV, and SARS-CoV-2. Fluent in multiple languages and widely respected in the South Texas medical community, Dr. Jakubowski is dedicated to improving pediatric care through both science and mentorship.
Michael G. Winnie, MD, D.A.B.F.P.
Principal Investigator & Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Michael Winnie is a board-certified family medicine physician and experienced clinical researcher with over 25 years of practice. He currently serves as a Principal Investigator at South Texas Clinical Research, where he leads clinical trials focused on hypertension, diabetes, hormone therapy, infectious diseases, and cardiometabolic health.
Dr. Winnie earned his Doctor of Medicine from Texas A&M University College of Medicine and completed his residency in Family Medicine at Scott & White Hospital. He is also the founder and practicing physician at Corpus Christi Family Wellness Center.
Throughout his research career, Dr. Winnie has led or contributed to more than 30 clinical studies—ranging from novel antiviral and cardiovascular treatments to therapies targeting endocrine disorders. He holds multiple advanced certifications in life support and clinical research, and has served as a medical director for numerous long-term care and hospice facilities across South Texas.
His commitment to high-quality care and research continues to make a lasting impact in the Corpus Christi medical community.
Dina F. Eftimescu M.D
Principal Investigator & OB-GYN Specialist
Dr. Dina Eftimescu is a board-certified OB-GYN with extensive international clinical and academic experience spanning over four decades. Since 2018, she has served as a Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator at South Texas Clinical Research, where she leads and contributes to studies on women’s health, infectious disease, and pediatric immunizations.
She completed her medical training at the University of Bucharest in Romania and earned specialist certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1992. Her postgraduate work includes training in advanced laparoscopic surgery, colposcopy, endometrial ablation, and urogynecology.
Dr. Eftimescu is also an active staff physician at Christus Spohn South and South Texas Surgical Hospital. She has held memberships in the Texas, Ontario, and Canadian medical associations and has led and contributed to multiple clinical trials, including HPV, CMV, and meningococcal vaccine studies.
With her commitment to women’s health, global medical insight, and deep research expertise, Dr. Eftimescu is a valuable member of the South Texas Clinical Research team.