Ed Shifflett, PhD, is a tenured scientific communications executive with more than 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, for which he has developed and implemented hundreds of strategic programs. He is co-owner of the AlphaGroup of medical communications companies, which encompasses the full-service medical communications companies AlphaBioCom, AlphaScientia, and AlphaQSci, headquartered in the Philadelphia suburbs.

As an executive leader at AlphaGroup, Ed is responsible for overseeing company operations and has helped to grow AlphaBioCom from a startup to a multimillion-dollar company. He is well-versed in identifying and establishing relationships with key thought leader physicians and has worked alongside pharmaceutical medical affairs teams and served in a medical affairs capacity throughout his career.

Specifically, Ed operates as AlphaGroup’s scientific expert and strategic business developer. He oversees company financials, forecasts, operations, and overall business and provides strategic input and direction for clients. His precision, integrity, and passion are seamlessly executed through all of the company’s strategic scientific communication plans. He is acutely aware of the challenges faced by clients and is adept at being proactive in order to exceed the expectations of clients ranging from small biotechs to large Fortune 500 pharma companies.

Ed received a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Virginia Tech and a PhD in Physiology at North Carolina State University. He completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Illinois-Chicago Medical School. A member of ISMPP and MAPS, Ed has authored nearly a dozen scientific research publications spanning topics from gastroenterology and enteropathogenic E. coli to exercise and sleep apnea.

Ed is a 6-time Ironman Triathlon finisher. He is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Childhelp^® and Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, organizations dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect. His other philanthropic endeavors support the Ironman Foundation and annual local community events such as bicycle drives for the holidays and gathering sports equipment for donation. Ed has served as a board member of the Suburban Seahawks Swim Club and the Lock Haven University (LHU) Foundation Alumni. He is currently on the LHU Business Advisory Board and was the invited commencement speaker for LHU’s Winter Graduation ceremony in 2016.

As Group Managing Director, Mike leads the team at AlphaGroup with the intent of building upon the success the company has enjoyed over the last 15 years and establishing a more powerful presence in the global medical communications industry.

Mike earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Manchester—Institute of Science and Technology.

He has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical communications world. Mike has been the leader of several large scientific communication agencies and has experience leading organizations both in the US and EU. Mike began his career as a medical representative and brand manager for Forest Laboratories.

Mike has held a number of senior and leadership roles in large publication planning agencies. He is recognized for his ability to deliver communication solutions and effectively manage the accounts of both domestic and international clients.

His core skills include team leadership, strategic publication planning, client liaison, and issue and conflict resolution.

Mike came to AlphaBioCom in March 2012, serving as the Vice President of Strategic Communication Services.

Meryl H. Gersh, PhD, is a scientific communications leader with more than 30 years of experience in genetics and biotechnology. She is Senior Vice President, Head of Scientific Services for AlphaGroup and its full-service medical, science, and outcomes research communications agencies including AlphaBioCom, AlphaScientia, and AlphaQsci. Her academic roots combined with an innate acumen for organizational management ensures excellence in business, scientific and staff leadership for the group.

She has been a faculty member of many renowned academic institutions in Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs including St. Joseph’s University, Rosemont College, and Cabrini University, where she has taught biology, molecular biology, genetics, human heredity, and life sciences for undergraduate students. She also schooled sixth graders enrolled in a privately funded summer enrichment program for underprivileged children called Project Forward Leap at Bryn Mawr College.

Meryl joined AlphaBioCom in January 2007 as a medical writer. She now oversees all aspects of content development including strategy, writing, editorial, and graphics for the AlphaGroup agencies. She guides the development of highly functioning teams by working closely with her scientific directors. She ensures the development of high-quality deliverables within a timely manner and provides guidance on strategy and oversees compliance with company processes and industry guidelines. While as AlphaGroup, she has written about cervical cancer, prostate cancer, hematologic oncology, new technologies in Papanicolaou (Pap) testing, genetics, vaccines, health disparities, health economics, travelers’ health, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, malaria, benign prostatic hyperplasia, gout, hypertriglyceridemia, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular disease, anticoagulation, respiratory health, gout, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Meryl received her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in biotechnology, cum laude, at University of Delaware. She earned her PhD in Genetics at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. She was certified in Editing and Proofreading at Temple University, Ambler, PA; and received her Certified Medical Publications Professional (CMPP) distinction from the International Society of Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP).

Committed to community and charities, Meryl leads many of the company’s service projects supporting American Heart Association and Philabundance. She has served as vice president of her synagogue, Beth Tikvah-B’nai Jeshurun in Erdenheim, PA, and was a member of the congregation’s board, PTO, and Sisterhood women’s group. She is an avid gym enthusiast with a passion for spinning, weight training, and kickboxing. Her Peloton bike, culinary skills, and love of fictional literature maintain her peace of mind and body. She is most proud of her children: Meryl’s daughter is a University of Pittsburgh graduate and flight controls engineer at Boeing in Seattle, WA; and her son recently graduated from Penn State University and is slated to work at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Manhattan in the fall.

As Vice President, Head of Operations, Sonal Shah oversees the implementation of AlphaGroup Medical Communications’ strategic business goals. She reviews, analyzes, and elevates company procedures to ensure that processes and policies are in place that allow AlphaGroup to reach its corporate objectives. Her expert execution of day-to-day operations ensures that clients and employees are guaranteed the highest level of precision, integrity, and passion – pillars on which the company was established.

Since joining AlphaGroup in July 2021, Sonal has improved the company's internal and external communications, project management, and financial analysis platforms and manages the day-to-day activities of consultants in areas of website development, IT, public relations, social media marketing, and search engine optimization.

She directs all aspects of employee benefits, including healthcare, PTO models, payroll, and learning and development. Sonal’s effort ensures AlphaGroup’s employees experience a safe and equitable workplace environment.

Sonal brings more than 15 years of experience in data analysis, financial and human resource operations, revenue forecasting, project execution, and managed services. She drives positive change across organizations through the comprehensive development of programs and policies, and optimization of technology infrastructure. Her core skills include team leadership, cross-departmental management, direct and matrixed resourcing, process optimization, and talent acquisition.

Sonal earned her Master’s degree in Business Administration and her Bachelor of Science in Finance, Marketing and International Business degrees from Drexel University. She is currently pursuing master-level education in change management and human resources from the Society for Human Resource Management.