Our Founders

Our research facility here at the Florida Institute for Clinical Research (FICR) has one mission: to better the healthcare industry not just in our community, but worldwide. The medical studies we conduct to detect, prevent, and treat various medical conditions help to improve the quality of life of those affected by these conditions. FICR is co-founded by Principal Investigator Humberto Cruz, D.O., and Research Director Maria Lopez. This dynamic duo has the experience of thousands of clinical trials between them. It’s no surprise that FICR is Orlando’s premier clinical research facility.  

Principal Investigator- Humberto Cruz, D.O

Dr. Cruz is a board-certified family physician who received his undergraduate degree in biology from Indiana University Northwest and then pursued his medical degree at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at Chicago Osteopathic Hospitals & Medical Center before moving to Orlando in 1994 to complete his family practice residency program at Florida Hospital East.

In 1996 The Center for Family Medicine was opened by Dr. Cruz in Orlando. He is an accomplished and well-recognized principal investigator in the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Cruz has served as Principal Investigator in over 1000 top enrolling clinical trials in the U.S.

Maria Lopez- Research Director

Since 1994, Ms. Lopez has been conducting clinical trials at FlCR. Her experience and attention to detail led her to be named Research Director in 2003. Maria oversees the Regulatory Department here and works closely with sponsors and IRBs to ensure the efficient and expeditious submission of all essential regulatory documents. She is CITI certified and a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator and a member of the Associates of the ACRP (Association of Clinical Research Professionals). Maria has been a part of over 1500 studies during her career, 1000 working at FICR.

Become a Part of Our Mission

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Our mission to improve healthcare would not be possible without volunteers participating in clinical trials. As a participant, there are many potential benefits that go beyond advancing medicine. You may learn more about your condition, receive regular care from Dr. Cruz and his trained medical team, and have the chance to gain access to new therapies not available to the public. If you are interested in learning more about FICR’s available opportunities, call (407) 658-0966, or click here.

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Our Founders

Founders of Florida Institute for Clinical Research - Principal Investigator Humberto Cruz, D.O., and Research Director, Maria Lopez

Clinical Investigator & Coordinator in Orlando, FL

Co-founded by Principal Investigator Humberto Cruz, D.O., and Research Director, Maria Lopez, The Florida Institute for Clinical Research offers a unique combination of medical expertise and clinical trial administrative prowess.

This distinction has given The Florida Institute for Clinical Research the ability to deliver the most precise clinical trial assessment in a timely, well executed manner.

See our co-founders’ credentials below:

Florida Institute for Clinical Research Founders

Dr. Humberto Cruz, D.O. Co-founder, Family Medicine Physician, Principal Investigator Florida Institute for Clinical Research

Dr. Humberto Cruz, D.O.

Co-founder, Family Medicine Physician, Principal Investigator

A board-certified family medicine physician, Dr Humberto Cruz has been conducting clinical trials in the United States since 2009. He has served as Principal Investigator for more than 1000 clinical trials and as the principal investigator for top enrolling trials in the US. Dr. Cruz received his undergraduate degree in biology from Indiana University Northwest, and went on to pursue a medical degree at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at Chicago Osteopathic Hospitals & Medical Center before moving to Orlando in 1994 to complete his family practice residency program at Florida Hospital East. In 1996, Dr. Humberto Cruz opened his private practice, The Center for Family Medicine in Orlando. Dr. Cruz is an accomplished principal investigator. He is well-recognized in the pharmaceutical industry having successfully conducted several clinical trials.
Florida Institute for Clinical Research

Maria Lopez

Co-founder, Research Director

Ms. Lopez has been conducting clinical trials at The Florida Institute for Clinical Research since 1994. Due to her extraordinary attention to detail and thorough execution of studies, she was named Research Director in 2003, and she has continued to excel ever since. Ms. Lopez has been involved in over 1000 studies at The Florida Institute for Clinical Research and has worked on over 1500 in her career. She is CITI certified and a certified Clinical Research Coordinator. She is also a member of the Associates of the ACRP (Association of Clinical Research Professionals). Maria is in charge of the Regulatory Department at The Florida Institute for Clinical Research and works closely with sponsors and IRBs in order to ensure an efficient and expeditious submission of all essential regulatory documents. Maria strives to complete all regulatory submissions within 3-5 business days.