Janella Beltran is a Patient Recruitment and Engagement Lead within Alexion Global Patient Experience. Her key focus is on embedding the patient voice in rare disease clinical trials by implementing patient‑centric recruitment strategies and leading structured early patient engagement approaches to assess and reduce protocol burden. Previously, she worked across digital engagement and omnichannel strategy, bridging global and local teams to enhance healthcare stakeholder experience.

John Reid brings over 25 years of experience in business development, drug discovery, technology transfer, and biotechnology start-up operations to focus on developing new therapeutics based on breakthrough medical research. He is currently Chief Business Officer at QurCan Therapeutics, leveraging its unique nanotechnology to realize the full potential of genetic medicine. Prior to joining QurCan, he was Head of Commercialization at the University Health Network (Toronto), Director of Strategic Partnering and Business Development at AstraZeneca (USA), and Director of Molecular Sciences at AstraZeneca (USA). He previously had scientific roles at GSK (CH) and Genentech (USA). He obtained his PhD from the University of California (Berkeley), MBA from Le Bow-Drexel, and Executive Education from Wharton.

Carl DeSelm, MD, PhD, joined the faculty in June 2018 as an assistant professor of radiation oncology with a laboratory in the Bursky Center for Human Immunotherapy and Immunology Programs (CHiiPs). After earning his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, Dr. DeSelm earned his MD and PhD from Washington University School of Medicine in 2012, during which time he studied under Dr. Steven Teitelbaum. As a PhD student, Dr. DeSelm described a secretory pathway in the bone resorbing osteoclast that utilizes authophagy pathway proteins, and characterized the role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. His work led to the Needleman Pharmacology Award from Washington University and a patent for a new therapy for osteoporosis. Dr. DeSelm subsequently redirected his energy toward oncology, and after completing an internal medicine year at Washington University’s Barnes Jewish Hospital, underwent radiation oncology residency training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York. During his time at MSKCC, he became highly interested in immunotherapy, in particular CAR T cell therapy, as some of the first leukemia patients treated with the novel therapy began to exhibit remarkable responses. This prompted him to join the laboratory of Dr. Michel Sadelain, a founding member of the field of CAR T cell therapy, as a Holman Research Fellow. Upon finishing residency, Dr. DeSelm completed a Translational Research Fellowship at MSKCC, continuing to study the combination of radiation with cellular immunotherapy under Michel Sadelain. Currently, Dr. DeSelm clinically focuses on treating lymphoma, and is actively developing novel CAR T cell approaches to treating solid tumors, including lymphoma, pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma.

Steve is a seasoned expert in combination products, engineering management, systems engineering, and business development. With over 30 years of experience, he has been instrumental in the design and launch of various medical devices, including auto injectors, insulin pumps, inhalers, connectivity solutions, and patient management software. In 2012, Steve founded Suttons Creek, the managed services firm that has successfully operated as the device team for hundreds of pharmaceutical programs. He now serves as the executive vice-president of this growing entity, which has expanded services in toxicology, supply chain management, and clinical trials.   

Steve has successfully built, led, and sold two companies, and currently holds several board positions and actively engages in mentorship for entrepreneurs and investors. Committed to leadership and education, Steve has served as a Graduate Professor at Loyola Marymount University, where he shared his extensive knowledge and experience with the next generation of engineers and business leaders.

With over 9 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Bryan has extensive knowledge of combination product development and what it takes to launch products on the market. He has practical and hands-on experience in various types of drug delivery systems from his years as both a Device Development Engineer as well as project and program management positions. In addition to his direct product development experience, Bryan engages with the global combination product community through his participation on various international standards committees as well as other various industry forums.

Parameswaran Hari, MD is Obsidian’s Chief Medical Officer. Dr Hari brings decades of experience designing, managing and leading complex cell and gene therapy clinical programs, including TIL therapies. Previously, Dr Hari was Senior Vice President, Clinical Science at Iovance Biotherapeutics, where he led solid tumor adoptive cell therapy programs across multiple tumor types and indications, including new IND submission, first in human phase 1 studies and BLA submission efforts. Prior to Iovance, Dr Hari was the Chief of Hematology and Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he led national cooperative multi-PI trial groups in cell and gene therapy and multiple myeloma. He also served the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) as its secretary. Dr Hari received his MBBS at Kerala University, MD at Central University of Pondicherry, and his MS at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Judy Galindo is a first-generation bilingual Latina and the Executive Director and Co-Owner of Sun Valley Research Center, Inc., a private clinical research site located in Imperial County, California. With 20 years of experience serving a predominantly Latino and underserved population, Judy is deeply committed to increasing access to clinical trials in rural and underrepresented communities. She holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Clinical Research from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and a bachelor’s degree in biology with a background in Psychology. Judy has been a certified clinical research coordinator through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) since 2008.

In addition to her leadership at Sun Valley Research Center, Judy is the co-founder of Latinos in Clinical Research, The Clinical Research Circle, and Save Our Sites (SOS) and a Strategic partner of Vertex Clinical Research Mexico—initiatives focused on education, advocacy, and sustainability for clinical research sites, especially those in diverse and underserved areas.

Judy is passionate about advancing equity in clinical research and ensuring all providers and patients are aware of clinical research. She continues to champion efforts that make clinical trials more accessible, inclusive, and representative of all patient populations especially within her own community.

Donna Dinkin, DrPH has a doctorate in public health leadership from the Gillings School of Global Public Health, at the University of North Carolina. For three decades, she worked as a leadership development consultant, helping leaders from global organizations strengthen their impact. In 2015, Donna was diagnosed with scleroderma-interstitial lung disease. Scleroderma is a rare, progressive autoimmune disease that thickens and stiffens connective tissues which are found in the skin and other internal organs, including the lungs.

Donna chronicled her path to building emotional resilience in the face of this diagnosis, in a memoir, Thursdays with Eugene (2023). Last year, as her health continued to decline, she decided to redirect her energies from career to volunteer efforts. Today, she leads a local scleroderma support group, serves as an Ambassador for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, and patient-advisor on studies which target people living with similar chronic illnesses.

When not volunteering, she can be found birdwatching, drawing with pastel chalk, eating Thai food with friends and spending time with her husband and two sons in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Kurt Harrington, MBA is an experienced pharmaceutical executive and a Dupuytren’s and Ledderhose patient. He formed Ventoux Biosciences to help address the significant unmet medical need in Dupuytren’s Disease – a common, disabling, fibroproliferative hand disease with few treatment options.

Kurt is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of Biopharmaceutical experience. Prior to starting Ventoux Biosciences, Kurt served as a consultant and advisor supporting leadership, founders, and operators ranging from large-cap multinational companies to early stage start ups on commercialization, corporate strategy, business development, market access and product development. Kurt served in various positions of increasing responsibility at AstraZeneca, Biogen, Amylin (acquired by BMS), Cadence Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals), and Avanir (acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical).

Kurt received his MBA in Pharmaceutical Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and B.S. in Marketing from Western Michigan University.