Advisor to emerging biotech companies on clinical development planning in neurodegenerative and other neurological diseases.

-Led a team of 10 FTEs and ~10 consultants responsible for medicinal chemistry, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, translational science, biomarker development, nonclinical development, clinical science, statistics and data management, and regulatory affairs.-Oversaw clinical development of Tranquis’ lead compound, TQS-168, through successful completion of Phase 1, and progression of TQS-621 through IND-enabling studies.

Clinical development of the mitophagy enhancer CAP-1902 for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders.

Advised Verge on clinical development plans for ALS

Led group responsible for translational science and biomarkers, nonclinical and clinical development, drug safety, clinical data management and statistics, and regulatory affairs.Oversaw design, conduct and analysis of multiple Phase 2 clinical trials, including: - Small molecule AKST4290 in age-related macular degeneration, Parkinson's, and bullous pemphigoid; - Medical device AKST1210 in cognitive impairment in end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis; - Plasma fractions GRF6019 and GRF6021 in mild-to-moderate and severe Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's disease with cognitive impairment, and in knee/hip arthroplasty postoperative recovery.

Took Denali's first compound, the RIPK1 inhibitor DNL104, into Phase 1 development.Led IND-enabling development of the RIPK1 inhibitor DNL747 for ALS and Alzheimer’s.Designed first-in-human study for the LRRK2 inhibitor DNL151 for Parkinson's.Conducted microglial imaging study in ALS with the PET ligand [18F]PBR06.

Designed successful Phase 2 proof-of-concept epilepsy study of the novel antiepileptic padsevonil.Biomarker lead on adenosine 2A antagonist tozadenant program and small-molecule alpha-synuclein modulator UCB0599 program. Head of UCB's PET imaging group; led the development of the synaptic-density PET tracer [11C]UCB-J. Designed PET study that demonstrated more rapid brain access by antiepileptic brivaracetam compared to levetiracetam.

Head of Yale's 12-bed psychiatric inpatient research unit, leading a staff of 3 physicians and 6-8 nurses, and responsible for teaching 2nd year psychiatry residents and 3rd year medical students about the interface between clinical care and clinical research in psychiatry.

Academic research focused on PET imaging of neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter systems in bipolar disorder and depression and on experimental medicine studies on the CNS effects induced by systemic LPS administration. Research funded by grants from NIH, the Department of Defense, and private foundations.

Chief Resident of the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit

During my 4th year as psychiatry resident at Yale, I spent 80% of my time in Neurosciences Research and Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb. I was involved in a Phase IIb trial testing a CRHR1 antagonist in depression, and in Phase III trials testing aripiprazole as augmentation in unipolar and bipolar depression. These trials led to the label expansion for aripiprazole as adjunctive treatment of depression.

As a postdoc in the lab of Julio Licinio I studied changes in brain and cardiac gene expression in rodents in response to systemic inflammation induced by LPS.