Responsible for progression of projects, providing scientific leadership and effectively implementing target validation and discovery plans.

Identified and provided significant scientific view and advices on external licensing-in opportunities in the US West Coast in line with the Business Development and Licensing processes.

Provided significant scientific leadership for the pre-clinical evaluation of experimental drugs.• Responsible for the design, initiation, execution, coordination and interpretation of new experiments in vitro as well as in vivo.• Prepared reports, accommodating clients requirements and timelines.

Responsible for the design and management of nonclinical PK/PD studies in the area of ophthalmology, immuno-oncology, metabolism, endocrinology and fibrosis. No direct report.• Initiated and managed contracts, coordinated activities with select CROs in the areas of toxicology (GLP and non GLP), PK/PD and pharmacology, and functional bioassays for biomarker development.• Worked closely with other functional areas and colleagues, ensuring that all studies were performed in a quality, timely and scientific manner.• Provided strategic preclinical expertise to cross-functional project teams as the preclinical representative. • Prepared reports and regulatory documents, for successful INDs and BLAs submissions.

Advisor, SPARKHelped overcome the hurdles associated with translating academic discoveries into drugs or diagnostics that address real clinical needs.• Educated faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students on the translational research process and path to clinical application, increasing their chances to attract funding and external collaborations.Independent Consultant, R&D and Translational Science, PharmacologyProvided significant scientific leadership for the pre-clinical evaluation of experimental drugs for various indications such as leukemia, gastroparesis, pulmonary (asthma, COPD) and CNS diseases.• Designed, initiated, executed, coordinated and interpretated new in vitro as well as in vivo studies.• Managed multiple CROs for in vitro screening and in vivo testing, safety pharmacology and toxicology (non-GLP and GLP studies).• Prepared pharmacology, safety and toxicology reports, meeting companies’ expectation.

Led all pharmacological efforts for the evaluation of efficacy and pharmacokinetics of new chemical entities, and selection of clinical candidate compounds. No direct report.• Successfully developed and validated in vitro and in vivo models relating to the study of pulmonary function. • Managed multiple CROs and collaborations with academic laboratories for in vitro screening.• Wrote pharmacological reports.

Oversaw both in vitro and in vivo preclinical groups, focusing on the development, validation and optimization of robust in vitro assays as well as numerous in vivo models for a wide range of therapeutic areas (CNS, oncology, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolic and hemodynamic functions).Led several preclinical projects. Supervised Scientists and Research Associates.• Provided direction for in vitro assays (biochemical and cell-based assays, isolated tissue bath experiments etc.) as well as numerous in vivo models (including behavioral tests and pharmacokinetic studies), supporting screening needs of existing projects and exploratory research.• Served as project leader as well as project manager for the preclinical evaluation of experimental drugs in the areas of gastroparesis, metabolic diseases, anesthesia, oncology and migraine.• Managed projects that lead to clinical drug identification for schizophrenia, atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation, and GERD, creating valuable assets for the company to partner. • Evaluated new opportunity portfolio.• Provided leadership, scientific and technical support on task forces for basic research, pre-clinical and clinical programs. • Wrote, prepared and assembled pharmacology, safety pharmacology, IB and toxicology reports supporting early-stage regulatory filings (IND) as well as due-diligence activities.• Managed CROs (non-GLP and GLP studies) and academic collaborations, ensuring timely attainment of goals for regulatory filings of INDs.

• Established a new pharmacology group within a molecular biology focused company charged with the evaluation newly identified targets for therapeutic potential.• Applied genomic technology to the discovery of novel molecular targets using gene knockout mice for overactive bladder, sexual dysfunction, diabetes, pain, oncology and atherosclerosis.• Trained and supervised direct reports.

• Participated in the pre-clinical evaluation and clinical development of experimental drugs for overactive bladder and sexual dysfunction as well as in the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets. • Played a major role in the pharmacological characterization of selective muscarinic receptor antagonists studying on-target activity and side effects of new compounds for overactive bladder resulting in the clinical evaluation of several compounds. Developed and validated numerous in vitro assays (using isolated organ bath techniques) and in vivo animal models relating to the study of genitourinary functions.• Led the group working on sexual dysfunction. Provided pre-clinical evidence for targeting the 1A receptor in the treatment of Male Erectile Dysfunction that lead to clinical evaluation.• Applied principles of drug-receptor interaction towards functional pharmacological characterization of neurotransmitter / hormone receptors in smooth muscle tissues, that lead to evidence for a role of 5-HT1–like receptors in vascular contraction and demonstrated, for the first time, that M2 muscarinic receptors in the bladder and M5 muscarinic receptors in the eye have a functional role.• Trained and supervised direct reports and summer interns.

PhD, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Pierre et Marie Curie University (Paris VI), FranceDEA (a one year research degree which is necessary for doctoral programs in France), on homeostasis and coagulation, Jussieu University (Paris VII), France