SUR180 - Key Persons
Annelyn Torres-Reveron, Ph.D., is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sur180 Therapeutics. She is a behavioral neuroscientist certified in Integrative Medicine. Her research has focused on the neuropeptides of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis: corticotropin-releasing hormone, urocortin, and their respective receptors. Annelyn also uses non-pharmacological approaches to study the HPA axis and is interested in understanding the mechanisms of how stress alleviation plays a role in reducing inflammatory disease progression. She has completed iCorps training at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the Therapeutic Accelerator Program through Columbia University and the Puerto Rico Science and Technology Trust, the Pitch Academy at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Center from Innovation and Commercialization, and is currently enrolled in the University of Washington Biotechnology Program Management. Annelyn was the principal investigator for the experiments that led directly to patenting the use of antalarmin for treating endometriosis. To drive the continuous growth of Sur180 Therapeutics, Annelyn combines her scientific expertise with training in entrepreneurship and startup development.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Scientific Director
Caroline B. Appleyard, Ph.D., is the Co-founder and Scientific Director of Sur180 Therapeutics and a clinical pharmacologist by training. Caroline is a Professor in the Dept. of Basic Sciences at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, Puerto Rico (PHSU), Program Director for the PHSU G-RISE Graduate Training program, and Co-Leader of the Research Education Core of the U54 PHSU-Moffitt Cancer Center Partnership funded by NCI. She has an ongoing research interest in the interactions between inflammatory mediators, microflora, and behavior in the pathogenesis and exacerbation of endometriosis. Her laboratory is investigating the impact of complementary interventions and the disease's exacerbation by stress in an animal model and translating these findings to the patient population. Caroline received additional training through the Therapeutic Accelerator Program and NIH Clinical Center. She has also completed projects with private industry/pharmaceutical companies for testing various compounds in her laboratory. Her extensive expertise in pharmacology and academic-industry collaborations is crucial during the early development of Sur180 therapeutics. Caroline's roles in the company include shared decision-making with the
Idhaliz Flores, Ph.D., is the Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Sur180 Therapeutics. She is a molecular biologist with 20 years of experience in research on Women's health, endometriosis, and pelvic pain. Idhaliz is a Professor of Basic Sciences and Ob-Gyn at PHSU. She has been involved in endometriosis research since 2001, specifically looking at molecular biomarkers and the immune, genetic, and epigenetic factors associated with the disease. Her work includes research on the epidemiology and prevalence of endometriosis in Puerto Rico, potential diagnostic markers, and genetic variants associated with endometriosis and/or infertility. More recently, her team has conducted studies on the impact of endometriosis on life, health, and work productivity and health system utilization trends and costs. She is currently the Principal Investigator (PI) on a randomized clinical trial study that translates an environmental enrichment intervention to the human scenario and tests its effects on the mental and physical health parameters of women with endometriosis. Idhaliz is a member of the Board of Directors of Fundación Puertorriqueña de Pacientes con Endometriosis (ENDOPR) (www.endometriosispr.com), a patient advocacy foundation in Puerto Rico that has provided support and education to endometriosis patients and their relatives since 2005.
Lissette Gutierrez, MD, is the principal clinical adviser for Sur180 Therapeutics and a board member. She has been practicing obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) for 19 years and works as a sexual health consultant. Lissette has treated numerous women with endometriosis and other pelvic pain disorders in her clinical practice. She is an active member of the medical communities in Puerto Rico and Florida and will serve as a clinical liaison to OBGYNs. Lissette has been crucial in designing strategies from the company's early stages that align with the clinical needs of doctors and women with endometriosis. Her trustworthiness and recognized expertise in the clinical arena will help Sur180 Therapeutics seamlessly introduce products into the medical community. In addition, she will be the principal liaison with health insurance companies when payment approval for products is required.