Ulyana V. Desiderio, PhD

Ulyana V. Desiderio, PhD, currently serves as the Senior Director of the Office of Strategic Industries and Entrepreneurship at the Maryland Department of Commerce. She has a robust academic background, holding B.S. degrees in Biological Sciences and Chemistry from Drexel University, and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.12

In her role, which she assumed in April 2020, Desiderio leads initiatives aimed at fostering growth within Maryland's life sciences sector. Her responsibilities include promoting job creation, capital investment, and new business formation within this industry. She also plays a crucial role in connecting companies to essential resources and partners that can aid their development.13

Before joining the Maryland Department of Commerce, Desiderio was the Chief Scientific Officer for the American Society of Hematology (ASH), where she focused on advancing scientific priorities and influencing federal policies related to medical research.23 Additionally, she has experience from her time at the National Academy of Sciences, where she contributed to projects on biological data management.1

Desiderio is actively involved in initiatives that aim to enhance workforce development in the life sciences field, emphasizing the importance of creating equal opportunities for individuals aspiring to enter this growing industry.3