Russ Lebovitz, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Russ worked for 15 + years as a successful senior scientist and research physician in a variety of academic settings before transitioning to a second career focused on financial, operational and executive management of emerging technology companies. In 1995 and 1996 Russ studied management and finance at Rice and Stanford Universities and subsequently worked for a variety of early and intermediate-stage biotech and medical device companies throughout the US . Between 1997 to 2003, Russ managed global projects in operations, marketing and finance for a number of Fortune 100 technology companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Nextel, Cingular Wireless, Johnson & Johnson, Compaq Computer and JPMorganChase, as well as with leading venture capital and investment banking firms. Russ has developed financial models and marketing plans that helped to raise over $100 million for early and intermediate stage pharmaceutical and biomedical device companies. Russ completed undergraduate studies at University of Michigan (Phi Beta Kappa), received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and completed post-graduate biomedical training at the University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto, Baylor College of Medicine and Washington University. Russ also served on the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and The Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
Andreas Hirsch, Chief Science Officer
Andreas Hirsch is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. He obtained his PhD at the University of Tuebingen, Germany and carried out postdoctoral research at the Institute of Polymers and Organic Solids in Santa Barbara, California, with Fred Wudl. He has received the Otto Roehm Preis (1994), the ADUC Jahrespreis für Habilitanden 1994 and the Elhuyar-Goldschmidt Prize 2006. Dr. Hirsch’s main research activities have been focused on the development of methodologies for efficient syntheses of exohedral derivatives of fullerenes and the use of such compounds as structural templates and building blocks for supramolecular architectures and nanomaterials. Other research interests are in the area of dendrimers, calixarene conjugates, new alkynes, new types of synthetic lipids and amphiphiles, model compounds for photoinduced charge transfer, chemical derivatization and solubilization of carbon nanotubes, including the investigation of their synthetic potential and properties as new materials. The group of Prof. Hirsch consists of about 20 doctoral students, diploma students and post docs. Andreas Hirsch is author of more than 150 publications.
Virginia Dadey, V.P. Business Development
Also the Vice President of Investor Relations at Arrowhead Research, Tego’s parent company, Ms. Dadey has 15 years of experience in financial markets as an investment specialist. Ms. Dadey has developed intimate knowledge of a wide array of nanotech and biotech companies, including emerging players. She brings to Tego a successful track record in nanotech deal-making and a wide network of contacts, including domestic and international analysts and fund managers. Prior to Arrowhead, Dadey worked for the Maxim Group and its predecessor company, Investec, since 2001. She was a vice president at Gruntal & Co. from 1996 to 2001. She received her B.S. in Nutritional Science from Purdue University.
MyPhuong Lam, VP of Finance
MyPhuong received her MBA from Rice University in 2003, with a concentration in finance. Since graduating from the Rice MBA program in 2003, MyPhuong has served as the Director of Finance for
C Sixty Inc., a Houston pharmaceutical start-up from 2003-2006. In 2006 and 2007, MyPhuong worked with Deloitte Financial Advisory Services peforming business valuation for both pre- and post transaction deals across a variety of industries. Prior to business school, she also served as part of the Research Mission Management team on international scientific projects for the NASA/Mir and the International Space Station programs in which she worked extensively in both the US and Russia.
Andrew Barron, PhD
Professor Barron is the Charles W. Duncan, Jr. - Welch Chair of Chemistry, a Professor of Materials Science, and the Associate Dean for Industry Interactions and Technology Transfer at Rice University. Research in the Barron Group at the Rice University is currently aimed at the development of rational molecular design approach to materials synthesis, with an emphasis on the leap from synthesis to application of nano-based materials.
Dennis Choi, MD PhD
Dr. Choi is currently Executive Director of Emory¹s university-wide neurosciences initiative. He also directs the Comprehensive Neurosciences Center within Emory's Woodruff Health Sciences Center, responsible for integrating patient care, research, and education. Prior to joining Emory, Dr. Choi served as Executive Vice-President for Neuroscience at Merck Research Labs from 2001 to 2006. Between 1991 and 2001, Dr. Choi served as head of the Neurology Department at Washington University Medical School; there he established the Center for the Study of Nervous System Injury, and directed the McDonnell Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology.
