Ms. Bates rejoined Hill Top Research after spending two years with Smith and Nephew as a clinical program manager, overseeing all aspects of clinical research studies in the United States as well as many international projects. She was previously with Hill Top in the same role from 1996 to 2001. She also developed formulations and arranged clinical trials of pharmaceutical products for RP Scherer prior to her time with Hill Top.

Ms. Bates is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, quality, and technical conduct of Hill Top's clinical research studies at the St. Petersburg site.

Ms. Bates has extensive experience in clinical research for personal care, pharmaceutical and medical device products. Her strengths include creating study teams and managing the entire clinical trial process. She earned her Bachelor of Biology and Chemistry from Florida State University.