Advisory Board
Alexander Steven Whitehead MA, DPhil (Chair)
Steve is an Emeritus Professor of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He previously held faculty positions at Harvard Medical School and the University of Dublin/Trinity College, where he was the inaugural Michael Smurfit Chair of Medical Genetics and Director of the Biotechnology Institute. An elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization, Steve’s research career has encompassed studies of immunity and inflammation, and the role of folate and B vitamin metabolism in human diseases and birth defects.
Edith Sim MA, DPhil
Edith is Professor Emeritus at the Department of Pharmacology, Oxford University where she was Head of Department from 2000-2005, and at the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing at Kingston University, UK where she was Dean of the Faculty from 2011-2014 and a Pro-Vice Chancellor. An elected Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society and the British Society for Toxicology, she has contributed to numerous national and international scientific and charitable boards and has been actively involved in promoting under-represented groups in science. Edith’s research expertise encompasses molecular pharmacology, drug design and development, and infectious diseases.
Richard Finnell MSc, PhD
Rick is the William T Butler MD Distinguished Chair and Professor at the Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. He was previously Professor of Nutritional Sciences, and Director of Genomics Research at the Dell Children’s Medical Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Rick has also held Director-Level positions at the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University and the University of Nebraska. Over the past 45 years Rick has managed multi-disciplinary research programs investigating the causes and prevention of major human birth defects.
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Armen Karamanian MD, PhD
Armen is a physician scientist committed to developing new therapies for patients with limited treatment options. He holds MD and PhD degrees from Universidad Favaloro Argentina and the University of Pennsylvania respectively, and completed entrepreneurial training as a Kauffman Fellow at the Wharton School. Armen is co-founder and CEO of Eliksa Therapeutics. The company’s lead candidate, ELK 003, designed to treat corneal abrasions in subjects with epidermolysis bullosa (a pediatric condition that can lead to early vision loss) is currently in clinical trials. Armen’s experience spans company creation, IP strategy, fundraising and cross functional leadership across biotech and healthcare.
Paul Axelsen MD
Paul is Professor Emeritus of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Infectious Diseases in the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. Before joining the Penn faculty in 1993, he held a faculty position in the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. Paul served as a council member and officer of the Biophysical Society, and was a member of several NIH study sections, including a term as Chair of the Biophysics of Neural Systems study section. His research at Penn focused on rational drug design and mechanisms of neurodegeneration.