Our Team

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Our Team

Our Leadership

At Greenstone Biosciences, our team is a convergence of world-class scientists, visionary technologists, and experienced drug development leaders. Co-founded by Dr. Joseph C. Wu, a trailblazer in iPSC and organoid research, our multidisciplinary group brings together decades of expertise from institutions like Stanford, Harvard, and UCLA.

With deep roots in New Approach Methods (NAMs), computational biology, and translational science, we are redefining drug discovery—advancing safer, more effective therapies with speed, precision, and human relevance.

United by purpose, driven by data, and focused on impact, the Greenstone team is committed to transforming the future of medicine.

Our Team

Leadership

Joseph Wu, MD, PhD

CO-FOUNDER

Joseph Wu, MD, PhD

CO-FOUNDER

Dr. Joseph C. Wu, MD, PhD, is a Co-Founder of Greenstone Biosciences and a distinguished scientist specializing in cardiology. As the Director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and the Simon H. Stertzer, MD, Professor of Medicine and Radiology, he has established himself as a leading figure in the field. Dr. Wu obtained his MD. from Yale University and a PhD. in molecular pharmacology from UCLA, laying the foundation for his extensive contributions to the application of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. With over 500 peer-reviewed articles and an impressive H-index of 123, Dr. Wu’s expertise is widely recognized, placing him among the top 0.1% highly cited researchers globally for the past five years. His exceptional achievements have garnered prestigious awards from the NIH and AHA, while his memberships in the NAI and NAM underscore his influential role in the scientific community. Dr. Wu’s remarkable career spans both academia and industry, with his co-founding role at Greenstone Biosciences exemplifying his commitment to translating scientific discoveries into tangible solutions. His groundbreaking research on iPSCs and their potential applications in regenerative medicine and drug development has paved the way for innovative approaches to tackle cardiovascular diseases. With his vast publication record and exceptional H-index, Dr. Wu’s contributions have made a lasting impact on the scientific community. His studies have shed light on the mechanisms of disease, provided valuable insights for developing targeted therapies, and accelerated progress in personalized medicine. Beyond his research accolades, Dr. Wu’s membership in prestigious institutions such as the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) reflects his influential role in shaping the future of healthcare and biomedical innovation. As the incoming President of the American Heart Association, Dr. Wu is poised to lead the organization in its mission to combat heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of global mortality. His visionary leadership and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to advancing research, fostering collaborations, and advocating for policies that promote cardiovascular health. Dr. Joseph C. Wu’s groundbreaking research, entrepreneurial spirit, and leadership positions highlight his dedication to improving patient care and driving scientific progress. His work continues to pave the way for novel therapies, offering hope to individuals affected by cardiovascular diseases worldwide. https://med.stanford.edu/wulab.html

Jade Chao, MPH, JD

CO-FOUNDER

Jade Chao, MPH, JD

CO-FOUNDER

Jade is a dynamic professional with expertise in health policy and law. She co-founded Greenstone Biosciences, driving innovative healthcare solutions. With an MPH and JD, Jade navigates public health policy and legal frameworks adeptly, addressing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare access. Her advocacy led to a statewide ban on flavored tobacco products in California in 2020. Jade engages with community organizations, amplifying marginalized voices and promoting inclusivity. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges gaps in healthcare policy, guiding transformative change. Beyond her career, Jade enjoys gardening, calligraphy, and swimming.

Lip-Bu Tan

Chair, Board of Directors & CEO, Intel Corporation

Lip-Bu Tan

Chair, Board of Directors & CEO, Intel Corporation

Lip-Bu Tan is a visionary entrepreneur, technology investor, and corporate leader whose career spans decades of transformative impact in semiconductors, AI, and electronic design. He currently serves as CEO of Intel Corporation, guiding the company through its next wave of high-performance computing and AI innovation. Tan is the founding partner of Walden Catalyst and previously founded Walden International, a venture capital firm that has backed over 150 technology companies across semiconductors, software, and AI platforms. He also established Cadence Design Systems—now the world’s premier electronic design automation company. His dual M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from MIT and MBA from the University of San Francisco underpin a rare blend of deep technical expertise and strategic business acumen. A recognized thought leader, Tan has steered startups and public companies to market leadership, driving breakthroughs in chip architecture, system integration, and AI accelerators. He remains deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of innovators through philanthropy, supporting STEM initiatives, entrepreneurship programs, and scholarship funds worldwide. Lip-Bu Tan’s unparalleled track record—now culminating in his stewardship of Intel and ongoing role at Walden Catalyst—positions him at the forefront of the global technology landscape, driving advances that power the digital economy and improve lives globally.

Amarjit Gill

Board Member

Amarjit Gill

Board Member

Amarjit is a venture Investor/advisor for multiple start up companies. Amarjit was the Founder of Maginatics that was sold to EMC in 2014. Prior to Maginatics, Amarjit co-founded and helped lead three companies that built lasting technologies. He was co-founder and VP of business development and sales at SiByte (acquired by Broadcom), co-founder and EVP of business development and sales at PA Semi (acquired by Apple), and co-founder and CEO of Agnilux (acquired by Google). Earlier in his career, Amarjit was director of sales for strategic accounts in Digital Equipment Corporation’s semiconductor group. After that business unit was purchased by Intel, he served in a similar capacity for Intel. Amarjit also worked for many years at Texas Instruments in its technical sales organization. Amarjit received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University.

Scientific Advisory Board

Axel Brunger, PhD

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Axel Brunger, PhD

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Professor Axel Brunger is a distinguished scientist widely recognized for his remarkable contributions to the field of structural biology and the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic transmission. Professor Brunger’s scientific career has been defined by his pioneering work in X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy, which have shed light on the intricate workings of biological macromolecules. Axel’s groundbreaking research focuses on the structure and function of proteins involved in neurotransmitter release, a fundamental process essential for neuronal communication. Through his innovative use of advanced imaging techniques, Axel has unraveled the three-dimensional structures of synaptic proteins, such as SNARE complexes, providing invaluable insights into the mechanisms of synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release. His seminal work has not only advanced our understanding of synaptic transmission but has also laid the foundation for the development of potential therapeutics targeting neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. Furthermore, Axel’s contributions have had a profound impact on the field of structural biology, revolutionizing the field’s techniques and methodologies. Axel Brunger’s outstanding achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2013. In addition to his groundbreaking research, he has played a pivotal role in mentoring and training young scientists, fostering a new generation of researchers in the field of structural biology. With his relentless pursuit of scientific excellence and unwavering dedication to unraveling the intricacies of synaptic transmission, Axel continues to inspire and shape the field of structural biology, leaving an indelible mark on our understanding of the fundamental processes that govern the functioning of the brain.

James Zou, PhD

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

James Zou, PhD

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Professor James Zou is an accomplished scientist and leading figure in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Born with a passion for harnessing the power of data and computation to solve complex problems, Zou has made significant contributions to the areas of bioinformatics, computational biology, and healthcare. Zou’s research focuses on developing innovative machine learning algorithms and computational models to extract meaningful insights from vast and diverse datasets. He has pioneered novel approaches for analyzing genetic and biomedical data, with the aim of advancing our understanding of complex diseases and improving personalized medicine. A sought-after expert in the field, Zou has published numerous influential papers, showcasing his expertise in topics such as deep learning, transfer learning, and fairness in machine learning. His groundbreaking work has not only contributed to the scientific community but has also found practical applications in healthcare, genetics, and precision medicine. Beyond his research achievements, James Zou is known for his commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. He actively advocates for responsible and fair use of machine learning technology, particularly in sensitive domains like healthcare, where equity and privacy are paramount. As an inspiring educator and mentor, Zou has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of AI researchers and practitioners. His dedication to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the field is reflected in his efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for underrepresented groups. James Zou’s exceptional contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning, coupled with his dedication to ethical considerations and mentorship, have solidified his status as a highly influential figure in the scientific community. His work continues to push the boundaries of knowledge, with the potential to revolutionize healthcare, genetics, and data-driven decision-making.

Scientists

Mukhtar Ahmed, PhD

DIRECTOR, PROJECT & PORTFOLIO STRATEGY

Mukhtar Ahmed, PhD

DIRECTOR, PROJECT & PORTFOLIO STRATEGY

Mukhtar is a scientist with deep expertise in drug discovery and translational research. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Toronto, where he used functional proteomics to uncover novel roles of heterotrimeric G proteins.
At Vanderbilt University, he advanced to Research Assistant Professor. He led studies on polarized membrane trafficking and vesicle tethering, applying quantitative cell biology, targeted proteomics, and live-cell single-molecule imaging to reveal how protein complexes assemble and regulate epithelial organization. His work has been published in leading journals and contributed to advancing methodologies in the field.
Mukhtar’s experience extends beyond the bench. He has guided cross-functional programs integrating discovery biology, preclinical development, and strategy, ensuring that innovative science is translated into clinically meaningful outcomes. He has also completed executive education at Wharton, equipping him with the business acumen to align scientific, regulatory, and operational priorities in a rapidly evolving biotech landscape.

Paul Pang, PhD

DIRECTOR, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Paul Pang, PhD

DIRECTOR, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Paul is a biomedical scientist and project leader with 14 years of research experience in disease modeling and translational medicine for cardiovascular, neuromuscular, renal, and rare diseases. His work currently focuses on advancing precision health and medicine by pioneering novel applications of human pluripotent stem cells to accelerate drug discovery and de-risk clinical trials to address clinically unmet needs. Through his work, Paul is spearheading innovative projects with multiple federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with several private companies and academic institutions. Additionally, he is working cross-functionally to translate several therapeutic candidates through preclinical studies and into clinical trials.

Paul received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and completed his graduate thesis on kidney and vascular stem cells at Harvard Medical School. He then spent a year working at the University of Southern California to continue his research on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine before subsequently receiving his Ph.D. in Integrative Molecular & Biomedical Sciences from Baylor College of Medicine, where he was the recipient of the Claude W. Smith Fellowship Award for Outstanding Research Performance and the Dean’s Award of Excellence. Paul then completed his postdoctoral training at Stanford University in the lab of Dr. Joseph Wu, where he continued pursuing his curiosity and longstanding interest in precision health and drug discovery using human pluripotent stem cells for translational medicine.

For his work in disease modeling and drug discovery, Paul received numerous competitive awards, including the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein F31 and F32 National Research Service Awards, the R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Award, and the R44 Small Business Innovation Research Award. In addition to the NIH, Paul is also a recipient of the Idea Development Award from the DOD, the Discovery Quest Award and the Translational Research Award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), and other national and international awards from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Todd Herron, PhD

DIRECTOR, hiPSC BIOBANK

Todd Herron, PhD

DIRECTOR, hiPSC BIOBANK

Dr. Herron received his PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Cardiac Physiology. After graduation he completed a Medical Research Council (UK) postdoctoral fellowship at King’s College London in Molecular Cardiology and NIH funded F31 and F32 NRSA fellowships at the University of Michigan in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Center for Arrhythmia Research. His research has been funded by NIH R01 and R44 Small Business Innovation Research Grants as well as the American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant Program. He has extensive experience using hiPSCs and was the founding Director of the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Regeneration Core. His work has contributed to the maturation of hiPSC cardiomyocytes and their use in high throughput screening for drug induced arrhythmia detection. He has contributed to the development and validation of New Approach Methods to replace animal testing for cardiotoxicity as a member of the Health and Environmental Sciences Cardiac Safety Committee for the last ten years.

Souhrid Mukherjee, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST - AI & COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY

Souhrid Mukherjee, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST - AI & COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY

Souhrid has worked extensively on computational biology and machine learning during his PhD at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. He has collaborated with several rare disease groups such as the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN), deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying rare undiagnosed diseases. Originally from Kolkata, India, he has explored the wonders of stem cell biology and protein biochemistry in some of the best research institutes in India before coming to the US for his PhD and focusing on computational structural and systems biology. During his PhD he has also led multidisciplinary research teams working on rare diseases and presented his work at several international conferences. Outside the lab, Souhrid enjoys cooking, playing video games and watching cricket, and is very excited to explore the gastronomic treasures of the Bay Area.

Jeremy Leitz, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST

Jeremy Leitz, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST

Jeremy received his PhD from the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, studying the molecular mechanisms of neurotransmission. He then pursued postdoctoral training in structural biology at Stanford University with Professor Axel Brunger. There he created a novel method to isolate and examine functional and structural properties of synaptic vesicles ex vivo using a combination of fluorescence imaging and cryo-electron microscopy, work that was published in Nature, Nature protocols and Cell Reports. He co-developed software to analyze cryo-electron tomograms rapidly and in parallel for challenging membrane-bound proteins. He continues to be an active contributor to the computational side of tomography data processing and has used the hybrid ex-vivo method to develop peptide inhibitors of neurotransmission and therapeutic candidates for mucin secretion in lungs. Outside of science, Jeremy is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys whitewater rafting, hiking and can’t wait to introduce his son to these activities. He has completed multiple months-long hundreds of miles unsupported trips throughout his life.

Evgenios Neofytou, MD

SENIOR SCIENTIST

Evgenios Neofytou, MD

SENIOR SCIENTIST

Dr. Neofytou received his MD from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin. After graduation, he joined Stanford as a Research Fellow studying cardiac regeneration using human pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes. He then pursued Postdoctoral training at Stanford University in Joseph Wu’s lab. There he focused on the clinical translation of stem cell therapies for cardiac diseases in particular focusing on leading the HECTOR clinical trial.

Ibrahim Ibrahim, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST

Ibrahim Ibrahim, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST

Ibrahim received his Ph.D. from the University of Gent, Belgium, where he was trained in developing a small transgenic human liver chimeric mouse model to study molecular mechanisms of viral hepatitis and evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of potential therapeutic interventions. Then, he completed his postdoctoral training at the University of California San Diego, where he developed stem cell-based 3D organoids and gut-in-a-dish models from inflammatory bowel disease patients, cancer patients, aging, and healthy subjects. He used this model to study the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. After that, he joined UMASS Lowell as a research professor, where he developed a high-throughput gut-in-a-dish model for testing environmental toxicants, host-microbiome interactions, and nutritional supplements. Besides his research experiences, Ibrahim has pharmacy training. He got his BS and master’s degree (Pharmaceutical Sciences) from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Egypt. Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his family, watching soccer, reading about historical people and business development, and playing chess online.

David Dolivo, PhD

PROJECT SCIENTIST

David Dolivo, PhD

PROJECT SCIENTIST

David is a research scientist with a background in wound healing and regenerative medicine. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in surgery prior to joining Greenstone Biosciences.

Angelos Oikonomopoulos, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST

Angelos Oikonomopoulos, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST

Dr. Angelos Oikonomopoulos is a translational scientist with deep expertise in cardiac biology, disease modeling, and assay development. Before joining Greenstone, Dr. Oikonomopoulos held scientific leadership roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, MyoKardia, and Stanford University, where he developed novel iPSC-CM models, directed screening campaigns, and advanced mechanistic insights into genetic cardiomyopathies.
At Greenstone Biosciences, he champions the application of scalable hiPSC-derived cardiomyocyte platforms to accelerate precision drug discovery for cardiovascular disease. In addition to leading internal R&D initiatives, he manages cross-functional collaborations with academic and industry partners—aligning scientific goals, timelines, and deliverables to drive shared success. His work bridges cutting-edge stem cell technologies with therapeutic innovation, enabling partners to de-risk development and unlock new indications through human-relevant platforms.

Researchers

Chris Yan

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, COMMERCIAL STRATEGY & OPERATIONS

Chris Yan

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, COMMERCIAL STRATEGY & OPERATIONS

Chris graduated from Reed College in Portland, OR with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He then worked at the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute modeling genetic and cardiovascular diseases. With a broad experience spanning the biotechnology sector, he has a deep interest in how we can provide better therapies at scale and reform the arduous process of drug discovery. A San Francisco Bay Area native, he can be found playing ultimate frisbee or trying new foods to eat.

Celine Lai

ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST

Celine Lai

ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST

Celine earned her Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She began her career working with CRISPR-edited cancer cell lines before transitioning to cardiovascular research at Dr. Joseph Wu’s lab at the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. There, she has contributed to studies on cardiovascular diseases, utilizing patient-specific iPSC models to uncover new insights into heart disease and potential therapeutic strategies. Outside the lab, Celine enjoys spending time with her cat, discovering new food spots, and traveling the world.

Sushma Shenoy, MS

ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST

Sushma Shenoy, MS

ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST

Sushma holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Microbiology from the University of Mumbai, India. She began her research career studying the epigenetics of breast cancer cell lines before transitioning to the cardiovascular field at Dr. Joseph Wu’s lab at the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. Away from the lab, she is an avid food enthusiast who loves exploring the diverse culinary landscape of the Bay Area, has a passion for experimental cooking and loves reading faith-based books.

Rebecca Yu

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Rebecca Yu

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Rebecca graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her education and previous work in aerosolized medicine and inhalation technology contributed to her interest in drug discovery and novel biopharmaceutical strategies. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys traveling, watching movies, and finding new cafe spots.

Yang Zhou, MS

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Yang Zhou, MS

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Yang earned her master’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and went on to specialize in mammalian stem cells and regenerative medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine. In 2017, she joined Dr. Joseph Wu’s lab at Stanford University, where she focused on “clinical trial in a dish” technologies and cardiovascular disease modeling using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Outside the lab, Yang enjoys gardening, knitting, and exploring gemology.

Parker Walther

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Parker Walther

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Parker graduated from Carleton College with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with further focus on computer science and biochemistry. After graduation, he worked at Dr. Joseph Wu’s lab at Stanford before joining Greenstone. Outside of work, Parker enjoys reading, playing card games, and cooking meals from as many different countries as possible.

Zachary Cook

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Zachary Cook

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Zach graduated from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. During his time there, he worked alongside Dr. Marc Tatar investigating renal fibrosis and mechanistic understandings of human neurodegenerative diseases. For this work, Zach received the Donald A. King Fellowship from the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Following graduation, Zach moved to Hilo, Hawai’i where he served as researcher for the USDA Forest Service. During this time, Zach contributed to novel understandings of emergent forest diseases and early detection mechanisms. This work included groundbreaking discoveries for the use of remote sensing to detect early stage forest disease and inform forest management and planning. Zach has always had a passion for elucidating rare disease mechanisms and improving the ways in which medicine is developed and delivered. He is excited to bring his expertise to the team to help achieve their collective goals. Outside of the lab, Zach can be found hiking, disc golfing, or playing video games with friends.

Consultants

Audrey Jia, MD, PhD

CONSULTANT

Audrey Jia, MD, PhD

CONSULTANT

CMC Regulatory and GMP Professional
ex-FDA Drug Quality Reviewer

Keith Zhang, MD, PHD

CONSULTANT

Keith Zhang, MD, PHD

CONSULTANT

Dr. Zhang devoted nearly 30 years at the US Food and Drug Administration as a senior nonclinical reviewer, where he reviewed pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity studies for numerous INDs and BLAs/NDAs. He is passionate about supporting drug development and bringing safe and effective medicines to patients.

Daniel Levy, PhD

CONSULTANT

Daniel Levy, PhD

CONSULTANT

Medicinal Chemistry Consultant
DEL BioPharma LLC
www.delbiopharma.com

Yong Wang, PhD

CONSULTANT

Yong Wang, PhD

CONSULTANT

Dr. Yong Wang brings over 25 years of distinguished experience in regulatory affairs, chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC), and late-stage pharmaceutical development to Greenstone Biosciences.

With 11 years of service at the U.S. FDA's Office of New Drug Products (ONDP), Dr. Wang led comprehensive CMC reviews for INDs, NDAs, ANDAs, and DMFs while participating in pre-approval inspections and providing strategic regulatory guidance during critical milestone meetings. His FDA tenure included extensive collaboration with clinical divisions to identify and resolve approvability issues through the application of regulatory science, ICH guidelines, and risk-based assessments.

Dr. Wang's industry expertise spans an additional 11 years at leading pharmaceutical companies including Roche, Novartis, and Johnson & Johnson, where he specialized in late-stage development and global regulatory strategy. Following his FDA service, he provided regulatory and CMC consulting for over five years to prominent organizations including Gilead, Cambrex, and Jiangsu Hengrui. His unique combination of regulatory, industry, and consulting experience positions Dr. Wang as a valuable advisor in navigating complex pharmaceutical development and regulatory pathways.

John Higgins, PhD

CONSULTANT

John Higgins, PhD

CONSULTANT

John received a BS in biochemistry from Albright College and his Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from Brown University. After completing a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute in NYC in the departments of Positron Emission Tomography and Neurology, he joined the Medicinal Chemistry Discovery group at Johnson Matthey Biomedical. There he made several significant contributions to early research projects on new Pt- antitumor drugs and peptide-based diagnostic radio-imaging agents. After nearly a decade as a discovery med chemist, he moved on to drug development in positions of increasing responsibility at J&J and Sanofi-Aventis. He and his teams specialized in the areas of drug delivery, solid state chemistry and biomaterials in relation to improving the bioperformance of therapeutic agents. Towards this end, he has led the successful implementation of a wide range of methodologies into drug discovery space including prodrug design for enhanced solubility/permeability, miniaturized polymeric amorphous dispersions and nanoparticle technologies. Along with his technical leadership, John has been highly engaged in building innovative and prolific corporate cultures as well as recruiting top talent. John retired from pharma holding the title of Distinguished Principal Scientist, leading the Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences department at Merck’s South San Francisco Discovery Center. In this multidisciplinary role, he was responsible for oversight of the biopharmaceutical and drug delivery aspects of Merck’s discovery programs (all molecule modalities) as well as the identification of new enabling technologies. Most recently, his emphasis has been on antibody-drug-conjugates and oral delivery of peptides. Over his 36 year pharma career, he is co-inventor on 13 US Patents and author of numerous and diverse publications and book chapters in the fields of organic, solid state & medicinal chemistry and drug delivery. John currently is highly engaged in the academic community, serving as a full-time Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine where he teaches a popular class on drug discovery and development

HR and Finances

Amit Parikh, MBA

CFO / OUTFORCE, LLP

Amit Parikh, MBA

CFO / OUTFORCE, LLP

Amit has over 25 years of experience, 15 years of “start-up” experience, and 10 more years of public accounting and private industry experience. Amit was the CFO of two successful start-ups, ZeitNet, Inc., and PipeLinks, Inc., which were acquired by Cabletron Systems and Cisco Systems, respectively. In addition, Amit is currently the CFO and member/ partner of two venture funds, Anthelion Capital, L.L.C. (since 1996) and Anthelion Capital II, L.P. (since 1999). In his role as a venture investor, Amit has funded nearly 80 companies thus far and assisted several in a way that OutForce is chartered to do.

Sanjay Vrajlal

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER

Sanjay Vrajlal

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER

Sanjay has over 12 years of experience, 4 years of public accounting experience at Ernst & Young, and over eight years of Industry experience. He has expertise in financial management, corporate finance, financial regulatory reporting requirements, and cost accounting. He is a CPA and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from San Jose State University.

Audra Soltis

HR MANAGER / OUTFORCE, LLP

Lingyun Xu, PhD

LAB MANAGER

Lingyun Xu, PhD

LAB MANAGER

Lingyun earning her PhD in Molecular biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside. Later, she entered the Canary Center at Stanford to explore her passion in early cancer detection using in vitro blood biomarkers and protein engineering tools. In addition to her primary research positions, she also worked as a laboratory manager for the CMB core of the Canary Center and later for Dr. Joseph Wu’s lab at the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute.

Our Team

Our Leadership

Our Team

Leadership

Scientific Advisory Board

Scientists

Researchers

Consultants

HR and Finances

Audra Soltis

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