Derek Simon Email & Phone Number

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Supporting development of cancer diagnostics and delivering tools to patients.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Advanced high-risk multi-institutional, collaborative cancer research projects with top cancer centers:-Worked closely with institutional project managers, clinical research coordinators and research team members to solve research problems, and meet timelines and deliverables for experimental, clinical, and computational aspects of projects. - Managed team meetings and organized engagement activities including retreats, in-person team meetings, and events at scientific conferences.- Tracked budgets and expenditures in conjunction with grant managers and the CFO, managing an annual budget of $10 million and achieving efficient reallocation of funds to meet project needs.Managed opening and monitoring of multi-institutional clinical trials.- Advanced key agreements and contracting with industry partners and stakeholders at partner institutions. - Monitored patient enrollment and biospecimen collection.- Met with industry sponsors to overcome barriers to trial opening at sub-sites.- Coordinated biospecimen usage for translational studies by working closely with clinical research coordinators, project managers, and scientists. Collaborated with the Director of Strategic Alliances at Break Through Cancer to strengthen industry alliances and partnerships to support the science of my research teams- Regularly monitored industry news and trends and proposed potential new research areas and strategic partners.Acted as the scientific authority on the projects I managed and communicated team progress through presentations and briefing materials to the Break Through Cancer organization and external stakeholders.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Improved performance monitoring and evaluation for multi-million dollar projects supporting humanitarian relief and disaster response.-Collaborated with a team of technical experts across multiple offices and departments to review the results monitoring plans from over 50 award proposals for compliance with Federal rules and effective design of performance monitoring and evaluation systems.- Provided technical expertise on program evaluation design and recommendations for improvement.- Managed and evaluated key reports and deliverables for quality and compliance.

San Salvador, El Salvador

Led the strategic development process and performance monitoring plan, directly contributing to the efficient disbursement of over $70M in annual funding and achieving key performance targets.- Collaborated with technical teams and diverse stakeholders to gather detailed input on programmatic directions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and enhancing project outcomes.- Reviewed federal regulations with stakeholders and created a shared understanding on mandatory deliverables for each phase of the process.- Worked with the budget team to produce budget projections.- Kept technical teams on track and ensured deliverables were completed in accordance with the timeline.- Prepared briefing materials and presentations for senior management and leadership.Facilitated the design and implementation of 3 technical projects:- Analyzed regulatory and internal requirements for the program design process and prepared appropriate analyses as relevant. - Facilitated working meetings across different offices to help the core program design teams focus on core requirements and objectives for the proposals. - Reviewed and provided recommendations on Scopes of Work (SOWs) and deliverables for the projects.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Lead researcher and manager for a country-wide research project which resulted in improved strategic development.-Led and organized a team of diverse staff and technical experts that collected data from 10,000 individuals.- Developed the research plan and all associated data collection tools and processes in consultation with cross-functional technical teams.- Identified strengths and weakness of the research team and built the capacity of team members through mentorship and training.- Managed a team of external data analysts and consultants, ensuring contract terms and expectations were adhered to and all deliverables completed on time.- Communicate key results to stakeholders.Facilitated the strategic development process and performance monitoring plan – the 5-year strategy directs the disbursement of over $80 million dollars in funding/year.- Collaborated with diverse stakeholders across different offices and with senior leadership to gather detailed input on programmatic directions for their respective offices and to identify key performance indicators and targets.- Reviewed Agency and federal regulations with stakeholders and created a shared understanding on mandatory deliverables for each phase of the project.- Worked with the budget team to produce budget projections.- Kept technical teams on track and ensured deliverables were completed in accordance with the timeline.- Prepared briefing materials and presentations for senior management and leadership.Coordinated technical project development:- Critically evaluated 10 Scopes of Work (SOWs) for procurements in close consultation with technical experts and provided technical and programmatic recommendations.- Provided feedback on work plans prepared by awardees.- Reviewed key deliverables (analytical and quarterly reports) and provided insightful feedback for improvement.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

The AAAS Fellowship places Ph.D. scientists in various branches of the federal government for two years to help improve government efficiency, effectiveness, and use of evidence-based approaches.Facilitated a collaborative, cross-agency process that developed a policy document, which has been adopted worldwide. The policy advances diversity, equity, and inclusion.Supported the project management of a large public-private partnership- Conducting weekly meetings with the partners.- Review of key deliverables.- Organized the annual partners meeting.Represented my office at interagency meetings and working groups and authored 8 briefers for senior management that summarized technical research and analysis.Lead research and manager for 3 performance assessments of programs:- Worked closely stakeholders to refine and improve assessment design, scope, and timeline. - Led assessment teams and conducted all field research, including focus group discussions and key informant interviews.- Collected, analyzed, and interpreted all data from the desk reviews and field research.- Authored clearly written assessment reports, which included key results, “best practices” learned, and recommendations for program improvement.

Arlington, Virginia, United States

Evaluated 10 research project proposals in biomedical sciences for scientific merit, staff qualification, budget feasibility, and timeline.

Greater New York City Area

The Composers Collective is a federally-recognized 501c3 non-profit arts organization providing a nurturing environment and performance opportunities for aspiring composers. • Treasurer and a member of the executive leadership team member• Supported business development, preparation of budgets and accounting, and strategic planning.

New York City Metropolitan Area

• Provided consulting services on biomedical science projects including neuroscience and molecular biology projects.- Organized and facilitated meetings where I presented research results to industry experts.- Reviewed the scientific literature and conducted scientific trends analysis to inform industry experts.

Greater New York City Area

• Primary research areas: Neuroscience of drug addiction; human genetics of addiction; neurobiology of opiates and the endocannabinoid system.• Independently led, designed, and managed all aspects of 3 large-scale research projects in behavioral neuroscience.- Formulated hypotheses, designed all experiments and selected appropriate methodologies and the appropriate experimental control groups, collected all experimental data.- Managed all logistics including long-term experimental time lines, budget/costs, and procuring necessary equipment and tools.- Conducted quantitative data analyses on collected data, including selection of appropriate statistical tests.- Prepared visualizations and presentations of data and results using Microsoft Excel, Adobe Illustrator, and other software tools.- Presented research to peers and supervisors.• Wrote reviews on critical scientific issues related to my biomedical research.• Evaluated the technical and scientific merit of grant applications and proposals in the lab and made recommendations for project selection and prioritization of new research topics.• Wrote fellowship applications to address gaps in the literature.• Presented research at 3 international conferences to disseminate new research and to learn about new fields.• Mentored 2 post-baccalaureate students.• Volunteered for 7 science outreach and communications events.

Baltimore, Maryland Area

• Hosted to learn optogenetics—a cutting-edge, powerful neuroscience research tool that allows precise temporal and spatial control over the firing of neurons in live animals.• Collaborate with NIDA lab members on research projects.• Introduced the new technology to the Rockefeller University and built capacity of lab members to use the tool.

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

• Primary Research Areas: MicroRNA-processing in development of the adrenal gland; β-Catenin and IGFII signaling pathways in adrenocortical tumorigenesis.• Collaborated with other lab members to complete submission of 2 large RO1 research grants, including planning experiments for a 3-year period.• Co-evaluated graduation requirements as member of graduate program review team.• Edited faculty grant applications (R01 grant, NIH )• Analyzed the scientific merit of research proposals of my peers and being produced by my lab.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Mentor: Gary D. Hammer, M.D., Ph.D.• Primary research areas/thesis work: The role of Jagged1, a ligand for the Notch signaling pathway, in adrenal cancer and the role of Notch signaling in adrenal development.• Designed and managed 3 independent research projects in biomedical research: experimental design, data collection and analysis, preparation of manuscripts for publication.- Experimental design - designing/conducting experiments with appropriate controls, managing budget and costs, and analyzing quantitative experimental data.- Employed a wide range of molecular biology research techniques.- Data presentation and visualization.• Developed multiple research projects and determined new areas of research for research projects• Wrote reviews on critical scientific issues related to my biomedical research.• Evaluated scientific trends and made recommendations to my mentor on research directions in the lab.• Edited faculty grant applications (R01 grant, NIH ) and analyzed the scientific merit of research proposals being produced by my lab.• Presented research at 5 domestic and 3 international conferences.• Mentorship of 3 undergraduate student researchers and 2 high school students.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Cell/Cellular And Molecular Biology, A

Bachelor'S Degree, Pharmacology And Toxicology, A