WASHINGTON GLOBAL HEALTH FUND - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Awards Committee
- President & CEO, Sonitor Technologies, Inc
Ms. Bugge served as SonoSite's vice president of corporate affairs starting in 2005 and was responsible for corporate marketing and investor communications worldwide. She was appointed to vice president of global public health at SonoSite in October 2009 to lead the company's initiatives in the developing world. Prior to SonoSite, Ms. Bugge worked with the EVC Group, an investor and corporate communications firm specializing in advising small cap companies. She also served as vice president of corporate and investor relations for ATL Ultrasound, Inc. from 1987 until its acquisition by Philips Medical Systems in 1998. Ms. Bugge received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University, continued academic studies at the University of Oslo, and completed the Executive Program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Job Titles:
- Member of Awards Committee
- President, Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association
WBBA President since January 2009, Chris Rivera has developed the organization's strategic direction to support the growth of life sciences in Washington state, including; co-founding WINGS - Washington's Medical Technology angel network; expanded the commercialization program, which has mentored more than 100 life science start-ups; and re-branded the region's largest and most successful life science conference. In addition, Mr. Rivera has been appointed to several leadership positions, including; the Governor's Higher Education Task Force and he is the Chairman for the national Council of State Bioscience Associations. Prior to the WBBA, Mr. Rivera was the founder and CEO of Hyperion Therapeutics; Sr. Vice President of Commercial Operations at Tercica, Inc.; SVP of Genzyme Therapeutics, and Vice President of Genyzme Tissue Repair. Earlier in his career, he helped build the commercial organizations at Centocor and Cephalon. He holds a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; a bachelor degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University; and studied marketing and management at the Albers Graduate School of Business and Economics at Seattle University.
Job Titles:
- Member of Awards Committee
Dr. Eaton received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in 1978. He joined the faculty of the University of Washington in 1979, and is Professor and Director of the Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health at the University of Washington, Professor of Public Health Genetics, adjunct Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, and Affiliate Member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He currently also serves as Associate Vice Provost for Research for the UW, and was previously the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Public Health, UW. Nationally, he has served as Secretary, and later as President, of the Society of Toxicology, and serves on a numerous scientific advisory boards for other centers and program grants. He served on the NAS/NRC Board of Environmental Studies and Toxicology from 1996-1999, and on the NAS/NRC Committee on Arsenic and Drinking Water (2001 update), and recently Chaired the NAS/NRC/IOM Committee on Assessment of the Health Implications of Exposure to Dioxin. Dr. Eaton maintains his own active research and teaching program focused in the area of the molecular basis for environmental causes of cancer, with an emphasis on how chemical carcinogens are metabolized in the liver. He has published over 150 scientific articles and book chapters in the field of toxicology and risk assessment, and is an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences, and was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences in 2011.
Job Titles:
- Head of Drug Testing Initiatives at WGHF
Dr. Adrian Bennett is a highly accomplished professional with a rich background in pharmacology and drug testing. He holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from Harvard Medical School, coupled with a Master's degree in Clinical Pharmacology.
His journey began in the labs of Merck & Co., where he honed his skills in drug analysis and testing. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Dr. Bennett has a deep understanding of the regulatory, ethical, and technical aspects of drug testing which he garnered from his tenure at several leading drug testing laboratories.
Before joining the Washington Global Health Fund, he was the Director of Drug Analysis at BioPharma Solutions, where he oversaw a team dedicated to advancing the standards of drug testing and validation.
His expertise was crucial in navigating the complex landscape of drug validation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with the global and local regulatory standards.
Now, as the Head of Drug Testing Initiatives at WGHF, Dr. Bennett leads the charge in evaluating and administering grants related to drug testing projects.
His keen eye for innovation and stringent adherence to medical ethics ensures that the funded projects are not only groundbreaking but also adhere to the highest standards of safety and efficacy.
Job Titles:
- Director of Grants and Evaluation
Dr. Amelia Richardson holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Washington with a focus on global health policy. She has over 15 years of experience working in various capacities within the global health sector. Before joining the Washington Global Health Fund, she worked with the World Health Organization, focusing on health systems strengthening in low and middle-income countries. Her vast knowledge in grant management and health economics has been a crucial asset to the WGHF, helping to streamline the grant evaluation process and ensure funds are allocated to projects with high potential for both local and global impact. Dr. Richardson has numerous publications in reputable journals and has presented her research at global health conferences worldwide.
Job Titles:
- Member of Awards Committee
- Vice President for Development, Washington State University CEO, Washington State University Foundation
John has been an entrepreneur, an agricultural researcher, a passionate champion of sustainability, a teacher, a leader of community economic development and a senior academic administrator. He now is the chief executive for Washington State University's Foundation - the 501(c)3 that advocates private support, and stewards the assets on behalf of the WSU community. He holds a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from the University of Nebraska, and an M.S. in Agronomy from Kansas State University. He is the author of numerous publications and books in crop/soil science, agricultural sustainability, and a bio-based economy. He is also one of the leaders of the recently awarded FAA Center for Alternative Jet Fuels and the Environment, a coalition of sixteen US universities and over fifty industry stakeholder firms from around the world working to reduce the impact, and enhance the sustainability, of flight globally.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Awards Committee
- Executive Director of the Washington Global Health Alliance
- Executive Director, Washington Global Health Alliance
Lisa Cohen is the Executive Director of the Washington Global Health Alliance (WGHA), a coalition of the state's leading global health research and development organizations. WGHA supports and advances Washington State's global health community as a nexus for research, education, training and delivery on the world stage. Prior to the formation of WGHA, Ms. Cohen spent 25 years as a producer and manager in broadcast news. She taught journalism at the University of Washington, where she earned degrees in Broadcast Journalism and International Communications. She serves as Executive Director and Board Chair for the Global Health Technologies Competitiveness Program , and on the governance boards of Global Health Nexus, Seattle, Global to Local, Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association and Global Washington as well as numerous civic advisory committees.
Job Titles:
- Member of Awards Committee
- Senior Adviser Emeritus, PATH
Michael Free, OBE, PhD, has spent the past four decades in the service of creating and introducing appropriate and affordable technologies that address the health care needs of resource-poor populations in developing countries. Dr. Free holds the position of senior adviser emeritus at PATH. His major program areas are technology design and development, local production of health and family planning products, introduction strategies, market development, and quality assurance of products in the field. He led the Technologies for Health (HealthTech) project, a 25-year-old, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded, multimillion dollar program to develop appropriate health technologies to improve maternal and child health. He also led the Health Innovation Portfolio-a program that supports early innovation and proof of concept of technology solutions to health care needs in low- resource settings. Dr. Free brings 40 years of research and development experience in health technology, including 8 years with the Battelle Memorial Institute and 30 years with PATH. He holds four patents, and among his extensive publications in research, technology, family planning, and health issues are 15 invited book chapters and symposium reviews.
Benjamin Mitchell holds a Master's degree in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. With over a decade of experience in managing health technology projects, he has been a pivotal figure in ensuring the seamless operation and coordination of various initiatives under the Washington Global Health Fund. Prior to this, he worked with Medtronic, where he was involved in project management roles focusing on emerging market products. His expertise in navigating the complexities of health technology projects, coupled with his profound understanding of the regulatory landscape, has been instrumental in driving the commercialization of innovative global health technologies in Washington state.
Job Titles:
- Technology Assessment Analyst
Sophia Kim graduated with a Master's in Global Health from Georgetown University and has since dedicated her career to assessing and promoting health technologies that have the potential to significantly impact underserved populations. Before joining the WGHF, Sophia was a part of a global health consultancy where she conducted health technology assessments for various international health organizations. Her acute understanding of both the technical and socioeconomic factors that influence the adoption of health technologies has been invaluable to the WGHF. Sophia plays a critical role in evaluating grant proposals and analyzing the potential reach and impact of proposed health technologies, ensuring the fund supports projects that align with its mission of improving global health outcomes while stimulating Washington's economy.
Job Titles:
- Member of Awards Committee
- Vice President, Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation
Dr. Johnson manages Battelle's public health research capability known as the Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation (CPHRE). CPHRE scientists conduct high-quality research and data collection studies to help our National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other Federal and State clients solve their most important problems. In addition to his management role, Dr. Johnson has had a 30+ year career in directing and managing large-scale program evaluation projects and research and demonstration projects designed to improve the economic well being of disadvantaged adults and youths. Dr. Johnson has a PhD in Economics from the University of Washington. Prior to joining Battelle, Dr. Johnson served as a Senior Economist for SRI International in Menlo Park California and a lecturer at the University of Santa Clara.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Awards Committee
- CEO, Aqueduct Neurosciences, Inc
Tom Clement has over 32 years' experience in product development engineering, engineering management, and senior management. Clement is currently the CEO of Aqueduct Neurosciences, Inc. Aqueduct is developing a novel implantable shunt for treating hydrocephalus, a condition that causes a person not to be able to reabsorb cerebrospinal fluid. Previously, Clement was the CEO of Cardiac Insight, Inc. from March of 2011 through December, 2012. Where he helped to raise $1.2 million dollars, built a team of product developers, and led the efforts to develop the product and submit it to FDA for clearance in the US. Prior to that, Clement served as the Director of New Ventures - Life Sciences at the University of Washington's Center for Commercialization. In 1998, Clement co-founded Pathway Medical Technologies, Inc. where he served as the company CEO until 2008. Clement has a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. He is the recent Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association (WBBA), and he remains on the Executive Committee of the WBBA. He sits on the boards of several startup companies and organizations including the Bothell Innovation Partnership Zone, and WINGS Angel Investor organization for medical device angel investing.
Job Titles:
- Member of Awards Committee
- CEO, Accelerator Corporation Chairman of the Board of WBBA
- Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) of Accelerator Corporation
Thong Q. Le serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Accelerator Corporation. With more than 17 years of experience in identifying, investing, managing, and successfully exiting numerous seed and early-stage investments, Mr. Le is positioned to grow and expand the Accelerator investment model. He currently serves as CEO and Director of Acylin Therapeutics and Oncofactor Corporation, and is a Board Observer at Cardeas Pharma, and AnswerDash. Prior to becoming CEO at Accelerator, Mr. Le served as a Managing Director at WRF Capital, the venture capital investment arm of Washington Research Foundation in Seattle, WA. Prior to joining WRF Capital, Mr. Le was the founder, president and CEO of MiniMeals, Inc. and a consultant for Capital Management Consulting, Inc. Earlier, he was at Raymond James & Associates, Singer & Xenos Investment Management Company and Capital Management Group LLC, a private investment firm specializing in biomedical ventures. Mr. Le completed post-graduate studies at the Templeton College of Oxford University and earned a bachelor of arts cum laude in government from Harvard University. He currently serves on the executive boards of the Evergreen Venture Capital Association (EVCA), the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association (Chairman), and the Washington Global Health Fund. He was previously named one of the region's "40 Under 40" by the Puget Sound Business Journal.
Job Titles:
- Member of Awards Committee
- Partner, Riddell Willams
Tim is an attorney with over 30 years' experience in business law and corporate matters. He is a shareholder and partner in the business law group at the Seattle law firm of Riddell Williams and serves on the firm's Executive Committee. Tim concentrates his practice on general corporate issues, transactional work and serves as outside general counsel to a number of companies. Prior to joining Riddell Williams he served as a senior officer for Puget Sound Energy and its predecessor Washington Energy Company.