Limited partner (LP) at early stage fund (Triangle Tweener Fund, TTF) focusing on the Triangle area. The Triangle Tweener Fund is a Rolling Fund affiliated with the Triangle Tweener List. The Tweener Fund invests in 10-15 early-stage companies ('Tweeners'), Triangle headquartered private companies a quarter with an index strategy.https://www.tweenerfund.com/

Aestas Pharma is a bio-pharmaceutical company dedicated to the commercialization of the exclusively licensed innovative technology as a novel disease-modifying first-in-class platform therapeutics and early pathology (biomarker) detecting diagnostic imaging agent to enable the reversal of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) & Parkinson’s disease (PD). Also, provide an innovative solution to the unmet needs of neuropathic pain therapeutics market. Aestas Pharma technology offers disease-modifying therapy by using peptide-based aberrant Cdk5 inhibitory technology.Aestas also has the exclusive commercialization license for small molecule mimics of aberrant Cdk5 inhibitors.Key founding member of Aestas Pharma Inc.

Independent consultant - Healthcare

Collaborator at Alzheimer’s Disease Core Center (ADCC) of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC).

Startup pre-clinical stage virtual dermal pharmaceutical company with patented stabilized sulforaphane.Spearheaded strategic business, product development, and commercialization plans, as well as scientific and business development activities for company’s patented technology; focused on transforming stabilized sulforaphane into dermal and topical pharmaceutical applications such as for inflammatory skin diseases, wound healing, and eye diseases.

Non-profit developer of drug discovery capabilities regarding natural resources in Western North Carolina.Devised and led all aspects of strategic planning for all scientific and business development activities; focused on life sciences based regional natural economic development projects. Directed and led grant proposals submitted to state agencies.

Provided scientific expertise and leadership regarding commercialization of company’s patented technology. Oversaw and supported chemists in formulation and analytical section. Reviewed industry grant application submitted to state funding agency. Led design, oversight, strategic planning, and execution of dermal/topical formulation project. Championed successful analytical method to detect API in formulations, pre-formulation studies, short-term stability, and prototype formulations development for dermal and other topical applications.

Supported business director of Heart & Vascular (H&V) center with financial analysis of integrated practicing units (IPU), and strategic planning regarding patient outreach.

Conducted collaborative research on epilepsy animal models.

Developed and led multidisciplinary translational research project on adult stem cell based brain repair, and translational research project on role of ubiquitin proteasome components in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Author of several research grants and published original research papers/review articles. Supervised, trained, and mentored 5 lab members. Volunteered as an instructor for Molecular Neuroscience and Sensory Neuroscience course. Served on graduate thesis committee of a PhD student. Reviewer for multiple journal articles and grants. Editorial board member (neuroscience) for Webmed Central journal.• Obtained funding from Wake Forest Venture Fund for research grant testing proteasome in neuronal connectivity, successfully submitting NIH-R21 federal grant application (as Principal Investigator).• Performed as Co-Investigator on pheromone memory grant (RO1 grant) submitted to NIH; received 23 percentile on 1st submission.

Performed and published results of research projects. Oversaw and mentored 5 lab members including technician, postdoc, and students. Taught in Molecular Neuroscience course.• Led identification of mechanism of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway mediated neurodegeneration, continuing postdoctoral research on synaptic plasticity, and its implication for drug discovery projects on neurodegeneration. • Initiated and developed independent research project on connectivity of neurons and their role in CNS repair; received approval from University Institutional Board on animal and biosafety protocols.• Drove federally funded projects to successful completion, identifying and resolving key technical issues hindering progress of electrophysiological measurement of synaptic plasticity (neuronal connections strength) along with lead in molecular neuroscience section.• Scored high on federal grant NIDCD Small Grant Program (RO3 grant) as Principal Investigator.• Published 2 scientific abstracts, and was reviewer to multiple journal articles and grants.

Researched and published papers on federally funded research projects covering 2 extensive areas: Role & Regulation of Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway in Synaptic Function, and Signaling Mechanism in Mice Accessory Olfactory Bulb Underlying Pheromone Memory. Designed, conducted, and analyzed experiments on multiple research projects. Demonstrated numerous feasibility studies for federal grant proposals related to long-term memory, synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration. Prepared manuscripts, project reports, and annual progress reports for funding agencies. Led team of 5 technicians, postdocs, and students in lab. Taught Cell Biology / Neuroscience courses on voluntary basis. Performed as Assistant Director for Introduction to Professional Development course with 65 graduate students. Trained summer and neuroscience graduate students.• Demonstrated one of the early causes (synaptic defect) of numerous neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, investigating differential regulation of ubiquitin proteasome pathway in synaptic function; resulted in 11 internationally peer-reviewed and original research papers including 9 as 1st author.• Awarded Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant from American Parkinson Association, Inc.• Honored with Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from NIH.• Devised and published drug design review article on innovative strategies for designing small molecule drugs to activate or inhibit proteasome and ubiquitin ligases, and their potential use for CNS disorders.

Oversaw daily operations and activities of the multidisciplinary research institute in India dedicated to neuroscience research and education (Deemed University, and is funded by Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology). Acted as Chief Organizer for national and international conferences. Actively involved in bootstrapping of the new research institute’s infrastructure and key front line member of this initiatives. Screened human cDNA library to isolate brain specific clones of P450. • Established all aspects of functional interim laboratories including infrastructure design & development, procurement of the instruments, resource management, stakeholder management, public relations, laboratory management, laboratory operations, and supervise supporting workforce. • Played key role in teams organizing two national conferences on Brain Research and Consciousness, and one international conference on Alternative Medicine & Neurological Disorders.• Awarded International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) Fellowship as result of winning international competition.• Received in-depth training on molecular neurobiological techniques such as transgenic technology, electrophysiological techniques, gene expression analysis via microarray, and fluorescent differential display techniques.(at University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University, and International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)).