About AgencyIQ

Alexander Gaffney is the Executive Director of Regulatory Policy and Intelligence at POLITICO’s AgencyIQ, where he leads the team’s research and analysis of life sciences regulatory issues affecting the Food and Drug Administration. He also leads the team’s business development activities.  

Alexander previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he led the firm’s analysis of life sciences regulatory issues as part of its Health Research Institute. Before joining PwC, he was the Manager of Regulatory Intelligence at the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS), where he also was Managing Editor of the company’s flagship publication, Regulatory Focus. Alexander has a master’s degree in Regulatory Science from the University of Maryland and has held his Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) in US regulation since 2013. He also has a degree in Political Science from Providence College. He currently lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife and two dogs. 

Patricia Iscaro is the Head of Chemicals Research at AgencyIQ. She is a global chemical regulatory expert with more than 20 years of experience supporting manufacturers, importers, and distributors of chemicals, including biocides/pesticides, electronics, food (ingredients, additives), food contact materials, cosmetics, and household products, among others. Patricia also has experience in the federal sector, having provided legislative monitoring and analysis for the U.S. Department of Defense for overseas environmental programs. Patricia is a licensed attorney with memberships to the New York and New Jersey State Bars.

Kari Oakes is Director of Research Operations for AgencyIQ’s Life Sciences division. She has primary editorial oversight of AgencyIQ life sciences content; she also contributes analysis on pharmaceutical regulatory issues with an emphasis on FDA advisory committee meeting coverage. 

Before joining AgencyIQ, Kari worked as managing editor for a regulatory news organization and as a medical journalist specializing in academic medical conference coverage. She also practiced for several years as a physician assistant, working in neurology, emergency medicine and primary care in academic and military medical centers. Kari has a bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College and completed her academic and clinical training as a PA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Laura DiAngelo is a Research Director at AgencyIQ’s Life Sciences division. Laura specializes in regulatory issues related to medical devices, diagnostics, digital health and novel data sources. 

Prior to joining AgencyIQ, Laura worked in regulatory and government affairs consulting, advising both life sciences and payer clients on federal policy issues and coordinating business intelligence activities. Laura received a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from George Washington University (Washington, DC) in 2017.  

Scott Stephens is a Senior Research Manager at AgencyIQ’s Chemicals division. Scott covers regulatory issues related to European Union chemicals management, including horizontal (i.e., REACH and CLP Regulations) and vertical (e.g., BPR, PPPR, cosmetics, detergents) legislation.

Before joining AgencyIQ, Scott worked for over 13 years in regulatory research analyzing European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) chemicals frameworks in support of regulatory compliance products and services. He has worked extensively with stakeholders in the chemicals sector, including industry, NGOs and government agencies.

Scott holds a master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas.
A lifelong learner of foreign languages, Scott reads, writes, and speaks Czech, Dutch, German, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian at varying levels of proficiency. He lives in Rockville, Maryland with his wife and orange tabby, Crockett.

Kirsten Messmer, PhD, RAC is a Senior Research Analyst and contributes to the research and development of content for AgencyIQ on regulatory issues affecting pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies in the United States and the European Union.  

Prior to joining Agency IQ, Kirsten was a Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist at PPD providing global regulatory intelligence to support efficient, compliant and successful clinical research and drug development for biopharmaceuticals and advanced therapies. Before starting at PPD, Kirsten worked at Theradigm to develop stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases before joining ERA Consulting. She held post-doctoral fellowships in London and Baltimore.  

Kirsten received her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Sheffield (Sheffield, UK) and a Biology Diploma from the Eberhard-Karls University (Tübingen, Germany). Kirsten also holds a Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) in US regulation.

Corey Jaseph is a senior research analyst at POLITICO’s AgencyIQ. She performs research and analysis on medical device regulatory issues for the United States and the European Union. 

Prior to AgencyIQ, Corey worked in a regulatory capacity for both diagnostic and medical device manufacturing companies for over 20 years, both in compliance and pre-market regulatory planning.  She has performed recalls, filed medical device reports, created device regulatory plans, and authored premarket submissions, including 510(k)s, 513(g)s, IDEs, and PMA annual reports.  Corey has also written submissions and technical files for Canada and the European Union. Corey has a master’s degree in biomedical writing from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and a bachelor’s degree from University of California Berkeley. Corey has held a Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) in US regulation since 2006. She lives near Sacramento, California, with her husband and rescue dog, Sophie. 

Walker Livingston is a Regulatory Research Analyst at AgencyIQ. He covers regulatory issues related to U.S. and Canada chemical management, including TSCA and FIFRA regulations.

Before joining AgencyIQ, Walker worked as an associate in a boutique law firm focusing on employment and financial litigation. He also previously worked in regulatory news for a global regulatory compliance firm and as a law clerk in an international trade-focused law firm.

Walker holds a law degree from American University Washington College of Law and a B.A. in International Relations from George Washington University. He currently lives in Washington, DC.

Amanda Conti is a Research Analyst in the AgencyIQ Life Sciences division. Prior to joining AgencyIQ, Amanda worked in federal science policy. She also has previous experiences in biotechnology and molecular biology research. Amanda received a BS in Biology (Genomics Concentration) with a minor in Neuroscience from Duke University in 2020. She currently lives in Arlington, Virginia.

Rayan Bhargava is a Regulatory Research Analyst at AgencyIQ. He provides insight into developments within the European Union chemical regulation environment, including those implemented as part of the bloc’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). With a skill set at the intersection of political economy and European affairs, Rayan approaches these regulatory developments from a particularly novel and comprehensive viewpoint.

Rayan received his master of science in the Political Economy of Europe at the London School of Economics and his bachelor’s in International Relations & Global Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently resides in his native Austin, Texas.