University of California, Los Angeles - The Anderson School of Management

California Institute of Technology

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

San Diego State University-California State University

President, CEO and Founder RARE Science, Inc

Greater San Diego Area

RARE Science’s mission is to identify more immediate therapeutic solutions for kids with rare disease.  We believe that by leveraging current information/knowledge and creating bridges across stakeholders we can accelerate the process to finding solutions that can impact kids in their life time.  Working directly with patient families/foundations to empower them with tools accelerates the process by bypassing obstacles prevalent in the rare disease community.  The number of children impacted by rare disease is staggering, and we aim to provide help and hope to these children in their lifetimes.

RARE Science, Inc.

President/CEO

WuXi NextCODE

Senior Vice President & General Manager, Global Rare Disease Program

At The Lab of the The Innovation Institute I am dedicated to improving patient care, health and wellness through developing life science innovation. The Innovation Institute  is an organization focused on transforming healthcare through the development of innovative new products, services, and ideas. The Institute is an incubator that helps nurture ideas and brings them to market to improve care delivery, eliminate waste, and extend human life. We evaluate inventors’ ideas and determine the long-term potential for each concept. We walk with the inventor to obtain patents, develop prototypes, and navigate the best way to take their idea to market as a new product, license agreement, or even a new company.

The Innovation Institute

Executive In Residence

Agility Clinical, Inc.

Vice President, Applied Advocacy

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

CDMO

Recruited to implement/lead change (operational and scientific strategy/CSO position) of  traditional research to systems biology approach to identify biomarkers for onset of tobacco related diseases (Lung Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiovascular Disease) for an organization of 300 FTE located in Neuchatel, Switzerland, Cologne, Germany and Singapore (Total R&D comprises 600 FTE).  Main activities consisted of 1) Realiging and updatin scientific approach and strategy of Research portfolio to meet business objectives, 2)Creatin integrated Translational  Research/Systems Biology approach utilizing all sites (Switzerland, Germany, Singapore) including changing scientific methodology and 3) Creating partnerships and collaborations with international key opinion leaders (science and non-science)

Director, Systems Biology

Cell Therapeutics, Europe (CTE) located in Bresso, Italy is the preclinical and development arm of Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) with capabilities that include Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, ADME, and GLP Quality Assurance for studies to support IND/NDA approval. Systems Medicine, located in Scottsdale, AZ is the genetic profiling arm of Cell Therapeutics Inc.  SML cutting edge technologies to enhance and accelerate the clinical development of products for the treatment of patients with cancer. Systems Medicine generates and interprets data to help profile new and existing drugs in order to translate these profiles into successful statiscally significant clinical trials.  The profiling includes identification of genes that regulate and predict a cancer patient’s response to the drug, elucidation of the role and function of these genes, integration of this information with more conventional drug development data, and creating highly focused clinical strategies.

Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

President, Cell Therapeutics Europe and President, System Medicine, LLC

Recruited by Venture Capital firm to transform virtual company into a research and development organization focused on identifying and developing a novel class of naturally occurring protein biologics for therapeutic application. Responsibilities included building the team for corporate and intellectual property infrastructure, scientific research and development strategy, limiting costs to the $10.5M invested capital.  Strategic use of funds included establishing laboratory facilities and outsourcing contracts for non-core activities, driving partnerships and licensing.  Research strategy included determination of company direction by selection of disease areas through identification of molecular mechanism of products.  Initial indications identified (Oncology, Dermatology, Immunology), preclinical studies initiated for early IND filing and portfolio growth.  •	Built flexible and sustainable infrastructure – multidisciplinary teams, lab facilities with complementary outsourcing allowed for fast paced dynamic environment.•	Established intellectual property strategy to capture aTyr proprietary platform and future portfolio.•	Established preclinical and IND supporting programs for advanced molecules.•	Quickly grew company from academic collaborations to 14 FTE including extensive consulting/contracted outsourcing support to complement in-house efforts•	Established International (Asia – Korea and China) and domestic partnerships.

aTyr Pharma

President and COO

Responsible for building, managing and strategic planning for technology, basic research and preclinical drug discovery development including strategic planning/alliances and global relationship with Novartis International AG and Novartis Research (Basel, London, Vienna, Singapore, Boston).  Disease areas included Oncology, Metabolic, NS, GI, Respiratory, Infectious Disease, Immunology and Cardiovascular.  Established and lead implementation of policy which ensured cohesive infrastructure for the four GNF steering committees (Technology Discovery (engineering/robotics and basic research), Drug Discovery, Operations and Strategic Alliances) which directed the 500 FTE research institute.  Reported directly to Institute Director and Head of Corporate Research Novartis. •	Built infrastructure and process for preclinical drug discovery organization which has successfully produced preclinical drug candidates for Novartis.  Two therapeutics began clinical trials in 2006.•	Established workflow between all GNF operational departments interfacing discovery efforts to make organization efficient and highly competitive.•	Established and maintained global strategic alliances with all Novartis Disease area research units in U.S. and Europe.•	Responsible for public and scientific relations domestic and international including press and media communications.•	Created and maintained relationship with Novartis Clinical Affairs and advising clinicians to improve research strategy for better therapeutics.•	Supported Novartis BioVenture by participating and advising on company due diligence activities.

Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation

Director, Scientific Development

Program Head, Drug Discovery

Program Manager, Drug Discovery Strategic Planning

Company was established in ophthalmology/Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) using photodynamic therapy (drug activated by laser application).  Responsibilities included directing studies for new company initiative to develop laser activated therapeutics for oncology and cardiovascular disease.  Built new departments and labs to determine molecular mechanisms of technology (integrating engineering, chemistry and biology) to improve therapeutic efficacy.  Managed East coast collaborative efforts with UVA Cardio group to develop therapeutics for Restenosis and Harvard for Oncology.  Reported to VP of Medical Research.

Miravant

Preclinical, Program Manager

Christina Waters