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4435 Main Street, Suite 550
Kansas City, MO 64111
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Please do not submit confidential patient information.
4435 Main Street, Suite 550
Kansas City, MO 64111
For media-related inquiries, please see our media information.
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PENNY SPENCE
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Penny Spence is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Stowers Resource Management, a supporting organization for the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Prior to joining the Institute, she spent her career in finance and treasury roles at large, privately-held, multinational organizations including 14 years at Lockton Companies where she most recently held the position of Vice President-Assistant Treasurer.
Early in her career, she held other finance roles at Hallmark Cards and Black & Veatch. She received a BS in finance from Emporia State University and an MBA with a finance concentration from Avila University. She earned her Certified Treasury Professional designation in 2006.
JESSICA BOX
Senior Scientist, Translational Sciences
Jessica Box is a Senior Scientist in the Translational Sciences group at BioMed Valley Discoveries. Prior to joining BioMed Valley Discoveries, Jessica was the Laboratory Manager at IntelligeneCG, where she oversaw the genomics laboratory and accessioning department.
She has experience in several facets of research including: basic biomedical research, clinical research, and industry. Jessica received a BS degree in biology from Baker University.
JESSICA BOX
Senior Scientist, Translational Sciences
Jessica Box is a Scientist in the Translational Sciences group at BioMed Valley Discoveries. Prior to joining BioMed Valley Discoveries, Jessica was the Laboratory Manager at IntelligeneCG, where she oversaw the genomics laboratory and accessioning department.
She has experience in several facets of research including: basic biomedical research, clinical research, and industry. Jessica received a BS degree in biology from Baker University.
CLIFFORD W. ILLIG
Former Vice Chairman and Co-Founder, Cerner Corporation
Mr. Clifford W. Illig is the former Vice Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of Cerner Corporation, one of the world’s largest suppliers of healthcare information technology solutions, healthcare devices, and related services.
He focused on growing and expanding Cerner’s market-oriented business units, key strategic relationships, and priority corporate initiatives. Mr. Illig serves some significant regional civic boards and organizations. Mr. Illig received a degree in accounting and business administration from the University of Kansas.
MITCH JOHNSON, PhD
Senior Scientist, Translational Sciences
Dr. Mitch Johnson is a Senior Scientist in the Translational Sciences group at BioMed Valley Discoveries, where he contributes drug metabolism, pharmacokinetic, and bioanalytical oversight to various programs.
Prior to joining BioMed Valley, he served as a principal investigator at Inotiv, conducting and overseeing the execution of pre-clinical in vivo and in vitro studies. Mitch earned a BA in chemistry from Monmouth College and a PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of Missouri.
BRENT L. KREIDER, PhD
President, BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
Chief Operating Officer, Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Dr. Brent L. Kreider serves as President of BioMed Valley Discoveries and Chief Operating Officer of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. In his previous position as Vice President and Global Head of Scientific Operations at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Dr. Kreider provided senior management oversight to scientific support functions at institute sites throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
Prior to joining Novartis, he held senior leadership positions at three biotech companies. Dr. Kreider received a PhD in microbiology from the University of Pennsylvania and performed postdoctoral research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
BRENT L. KREIDER, PhD
President, BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
Member, Board of Directors
Dr. Brent L. Kreider serves as President of BioMed Valley Discoveries and Chief Operating Officer of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. In his previous position as Vice President and Global Head of Scientific Operations at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Brent provided senior management oversight to scientific support functions at Institute sites throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
Prior to joining Novartis, he held senior leadership positions at three biotech companies. Brent received a PhD in microbiology from the University of Pennsylvania and performed postdoctoral research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
MARTIN TERESK, PhD
Director, Chemistry
Dr. Martin Teresk is a Director of Chemistry at BioMed Valley Discoveries. Prior to joining BioMed Valley Discoveries, Martin served as Director of Process Development at Orbis Biosciences, where he led the development and manufacturing scale-up of the company’s particle engineering technology.
He previously held key positions in process research and development at Gilead Sciences, providing scientific and technical leadership in developing scalable chemical processes for the manufacture of drug substances from preclinical development through commercialization. Martin received a BS in Chemistry from Purdue University and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin.
CAROLINE EMERY, PhD
Director, Translational Sciences
Dr. Caroline Emery is a Director of Translational Sciences at BioMed Valley Discoveries. Previously, Carrie held a position in early pharmaceutical development at Novartis Oncology, where she supported the evolution of novel agents into the clinic.
She earned her PhD in developmental genetics from the University of Oxford, UK, and completed postdoctoral training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University, where she studied mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies in melanoma. Carrie received a BSc degree in pathology and microbiology from the University of Bristol, UK.
DEBORAH KNOERZER, MS
Director, Translational Sciences
Deb Knoerzer is a Director of Translational Sciences at BioMed Valley Discoveries. Prior to joining BioMed Valley Discoveries, Deb was Vice President of Research Operations for Horizon Discovery where she led the research operations for multiple sites within the US.
She has a vast range of experience in both small and large organizations, serving as Chief Operating Officer at SAGE labs and holding a variety of senior positions during her 19 years within the pharmaceutical industry including positions at Pfizer, Pharmacia, Searle, and Monsanto. Deb received a BS in biological sciences from Illinois State University and a MS in biological sciences from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
ANNA GROOVER, PhD
Senior Scientist, Translational Sciences
Dr. Anna Groover is a Senior Scientist in the Translational Sciences group at BioMed Valley Discoveries, where she manages day-to-day clinical operations for clinical trials involving BVD-523, a selective, reversible, ERK1/2 inhibitor.
Anna joined BioMed Valley Discoveries after completing her PhD in anatomy and cell biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She received a BS degree in biology from Baylor University.
GARY DeCRESCENZO, MS
Consultant
Gary DeCrescenzo is a consultant at BioMed Valley Discoveries. Prior to joining BioMed Valley Discoveries, Gary was Senior Director of World Wide Medicinal Chemistry at Pfizer Inc, where he oversaw medicinal chemistry and early chemical development.
He previously held senior leadership positions in research and development at Pharmacia Corporation and GD Searle. Gary received a BS in Chemistry and a MS in industrial chemistry from the University of Central Florida.
DEAN WELSCH, PhD
Executive Director, Translational Sciences, Head of Pharmacology
Dr. Dean Welsch is an Executive Director of Translational Sciences and Head of Pharmacology at BioMed Valley Discoveries. Prior to joining BioMed Valley Discoveries, Dean held positions of increasing responsibility in research and development at Monsanto, Searle, Pharmacia, and Pfizer.
Prior to leaving Pfizer, he was Senior Director and Research Fellow in the company’s Indications Discovery Unit, where he was responsible for identifying and validating through clinical proof-of-concept new indications for development compounds. Dean received a BS in Chemistry from Hope College, a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota, and performed postdoctoral research in the lab of Dr. Paul Friedman at Merck Sharpe and Dohme Research Labs.
HALLE (HUIHONG) ZHANG, RN, MMedSci, PhD
Director, Translational Sciences
Dr. Halle Zhang is a Director and Project Leader at BioMed Valley Discoveries, where she leads the clinical development of Clostridium novyi-NT, a bacterial oncolytic therapy. Prior to joining BioMed Valley Discoveries, Halle served as a Clinical Trial Lead within the Harvard Catalyst network.
Her previous positions also include LAM Foundation Research Fellow at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Research Scientist at Tufts University, where she examined cell signaling in cancer and metabolic diseases. Halle is an RN with over ten years of clinical experience in medical, surgical, pediatric, and operating room settings. Halle received a Master in Medical Sciences in immunology and a PhD in medicine from the University of Birmingham, UK.
RICHARD W. BROWN
Chairman of the Board, BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
Chairman of the Board, American Century Companies, Inc.
Chairman of the Board, Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Stowers Resource Management
Mr. Richard W. Brown serves as Chairman of the Board for BioMed Valley Discoveries, American Century Companies, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, and Stowers Resource Management. Mr. Brown has also served as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Stowers Resource Management and BioMed Valley Corporation.
Mr. Brown was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of Health Midwest from 1993 to March 2003. Mr. Brown received a MHA from the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and a BA in Biology from Phillips University.
ABBY FREEMAN
Former Executive Vice President for Administration, Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Ms. Abby Freeman is the former Executive Vice President for Administration at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Prior to joining the Institute, Ms. Freeman held positions at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas including Director of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Equal Opportunity and Minority Affairs Officer, and Vice President for Human Services Administration.
Ms. Freeman previously held leadership positions with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). Ms. Freeman earned a BA in business administration from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas. She serves as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and American Century Companies.
WILLIAM B. NEAVES, PhD
President Emeritus, Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Dr. William B. Neaves is President Emeritus of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Previously, Dr. Neaves served as Chief Executive Officer of the Stowers Institute from 2000 to 2010. Prior to joining the Stowers Institute, he held various positions at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
Dr. Neaves currently serves as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Stowers Resource Management, BioMed Valley Corporation, and BioMed Valley Discoveries. Dr. Neaves received an AB magna cum laude with highest honors in biology from Harvard College in 1966 and a PhD in anatomy from Harvard University in 1969.
JONATHAN S. THOMAS
President and Chief Executive Officer, American Century Investments
Mr. Jonathan S. Thomas is President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Investments. Mr. Thomas joined American Century in 2005 as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, and a member of the American Century Companies Board of Directors. He became CEO in March 2007.
Prior to joining American Century, Mr. Thomas was Global Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of the Investment Management division at Morgan Stanley in New York City. Mr. Thomas received a BA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts and a MBA from Boston College.