Board of Directors
University Directors
Frederick H. Epstein, Ph.D. Associate Vice President for Research University of Virginia Michael J. Friedlander, Ph.D. Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, Virginia Tech Founding Executive Director, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC Senior Dean for Research, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Srirama Rao, Ph.D. Vice President for Research and Innovation Virginia Commonwealth University Office of Research Kenneth Fridley, Ph.D. Interim Vice President for Research Old Dominion University Andre Marshall, Ph.D. Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact George Mason University Milton Brown, MD, Ph.D Vice Dean of Research Eastern Virginia Medical School Dennis Manos, Ph.D. Vice Provost for Research and Graduate/Professional Studies Director, Applied Research Center Director, William and Mary Research Institute William and Mary |
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
David X. Cifu, M.D. (Chairman) Board Chairman Associate Dean of Innovation and System Integration, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Herman J. Flax, MD Professor and Chair, Department of PM&R, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Senior TBI Specialist, Principal Investigator, Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs Health Care System Providers Howard P. Kern Former President and Chief Executive Officer Sentara Healthcare Commonwealth of Virginia Juan Pablo Segura Chief Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Commonwealth of Virginia Grace Festa, CEcD Industry Director, Biopharmaceuticals Virginia Economic Development Partnership Private Equity/Venture Capital Director Thomas D. Roberts, III (Secretary) General Partner, Harbert Growth Partners Harbert Management Corporation Kyp Sirinakis (Vice Chairman) Co-Founder and Managing Director Epidarex Capital Life Science Company Director Jeff Conroy (Treasurer) Founder and Former CEO Embody, LLC (Acquired by Zimmer Biomet) Virginia Biosciences Industry Charles Anamelechi, Ph.D. Healthcare Strategy and Innovation Leader Digital Health, Product Development |
Project Management and Oversight Panel
Science and Clinical Experts
Ali Andalibi, Ph.D. Former Associate Dean of Research George Mason University O. John Semmes, Ph.D. Director, Leroy T. Canoles, Jr. Cancer Research Center Eastern Virginia Medical School George S. Bloom, Ph.D. Professor of Biology, Cell Biology and Neuroscience University of Virginia Venture Capital Experts Scott Meza Shareholder and Attorney at Law Greenberg Trauig Bob Creeden Managing Director UVA Seed Fund and New Ventures Monique Adams Former Executive Director 757 Angels Group |
Life Science Company Executives
Rony Thomas President and CEO LifeNet Health, Inc. James C. Powers Former Chairman and CEO HemoShear, Therapeutics, Inc. Gerard Eldering President Innovate Tech Ventures Jeff Pompeo President and CEO CareTaker Medical, LLC Ross Dunlap Co-Founder and CEO Ceres Nanosciences, Inc. |
Michael Grisham
President & CEO
Mike Grisham has served as Founder, Managing Member and CEO of GPB Scientific LLC since 2002. He has over 21 years of experience in biosciences, building diagnostic and healthcare companies. Mr. Grisham founded and served as CEO of Celective DX (acquired by On-Q-ity); Verinata Health Inc. (acquired by Illumina); and Paradigm Health Corporation (acquired by Alere). Grisham holds a BA from University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Suzänne Zeta, PhD, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Suzänne Zeta has over 20 years of experience in healthcare, including clinical practice as an occupational therapist, graduate level course instruction, clinical trial research, and nationwide presentations as a leader and expert in oncology rehabilitation. Dr. Zeta also has extensive healthcare management experience including serving as a Regional Director of Operations for American Retirement Corporation and Brookdale Senior Living. Zeta holds a BS in occupational therapy from Saint Louis University, an MBA in Healthcare Management from University of Phoenix, and a PhD in Health Related Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University.