Meet key leaders of our cell and gene therapy team at ASGCT
With global laboratory resources focused on advanced therapies, our team is here to help propel your cell or gene therapy (CGT) program by bringing scientific insights across every stage of development.
The experience of our key CGT leaders is outlined below:
Maryland Franklin, PhD
Vice President and Enterprise Head, Cell and Gene Therapy
- More than 20 years of experience in preclinical and early clinical development spanning therapeutic types including small molecules, antibodies and CGTs
- Leads a matrixed team of CGT experts supporting the depth and breadth of drug development; responsible for strategic vision, thought leadership and collaborations across CGT
- Has partnered on numerous multidisciplinary teams delivering therapeutic candidates from discovery into early clinical development including playing a key role in bringing four drugs into Phase I oncology clinical trials
Brian E. McIntosh, PhD
Director of Science Experts and Global Preclinical Lead of Cell and Gene Therapy, Safety Assessment/Toxicology
- More than 25 years of combined industry and academic experience in regenerative biology, oncology, toxicology, and gene therapy
- Designs preclinical CGT vision, develops CGT offerings for non-regulated and regulated therapeutic development and provides consultative CGT development strategy
- Has authored more than 24 peer-reviewed journal articles, has been awarded a patent (NBSGW mouse) and has led conference presentations within various disciplines
Colin Guy, PhD
Senior Manager, GMP Research and Development, Biopharmaceutical CMC Solutions
- Has a broad range of experience in biochemistry, including liquid chromatography, capillary and gel electrophoresis and ligand-binding assays
- Oversees analytical development for a range of modalities, including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and CGT
- Provides scientific leadership and technical guidance for clients, ensuring appropriate methods are employed to monitor the critical quality attributes of therapeutics throughout the product life cycle
Bryan Simons, PhD
Manager, US Science Lead, Immunology and Immunotoxicology
- 15+ years combined academic and industry experience in preclinical and clinical immunoassay design and validation for assessing a wide variety of immunomodulatory compounds including cell and gene therapies.
- A US Science Lead for Labcorp’s Immunology and Immunotoxicology department involved in driving collaboration with external and internal stakeholders on new projects and technologies, evaluating capabilities expansion, and setting departmental scientific strategy in relation to immunotoxicology for cell and gene therapies.
- Manages the Madison Immunology and Immunotoxicology Cell-based Assays team responsible for the development and validation of cell-based immunoassay endpoint analysis as well as dose formulation characterization and analysis of cell therapy products.
Shannon Eaker, PhD
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Xcell Biosciences
- Expertise in T-cell, HSC, and ES/iPSC cell biology
- Member of the International Society for Cell Therapy (ISCT) Process Development and Manufacturing (PDM) committee
- Author of numerous papers within the field of cell biology and manufacturing and sits on scientific advisory boards for numerous companies in the field of cell and gene therapy and regenerative medicine
Jay Herman, PhD
Toxicology Specialist, Study Director
- More than 20 years of experience in contract research organization (CRO) and pharmaceutical industry
- Global lead for infusion/specialized dosing routes, including scientific leader for non-systemic (i.e., intrathecal, intracerebroventricular) therapeutic delivery
- Collaborated with the research and development surgery team to develop deeper capabilities in CNS administrations, including catheterization and repeated administration via intracerebroventricular in non-human primates, and intrathecal rats and dogs
Mayuri Prasad, PhD
Study Director, Toxicology / Cell and Gene Therapy
- More than 10 years of combined experience in industrial and academic research in the field of pluripotent stem cells, adipose derived stem cells, breast and ovarian cancer, toxicology, and gene therapy.
- Developed murine immunosuppressed model and murine stereotaxic dosing model for preclinical gene therapy toxicology and safety assessment studies.
- Collaborated with inhalation team to develop a rodent nose-only AAV inhalation model for assessing the efficiency of administration, biodistribution and persistence of AAV6.2 aerosols expressing mCherry.
Pegah Mehrpouya-Bahrami, PhD
Associate Director, Immunology Biomarkers
- 10+ years of combined industry and academic experience in Immunology, Immunotoxicology, precision medicine, CDx, and Cell and Gene therapy.
- Leading expert in biomarker selection and development strategies for clinical trials, and a key contributor to successful RFP/RFI proposals through strategic biomarker application. Bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and clinical application, ensuring efficient biomarker discovery and validation.
- 17+ peer-reviewed journal articles and patent
Erin Slosarek, PhD
Study Director, Toxicology/Cell and Gene Therapy
- More than 20 years of combined industry and academic experience in regenerative biology, toxicology, and gene therapy
- Collaborated with the research and development surgery team to develop deeper capabilities in CNS administrations, including MRI-guided dosing into the brain
- Experienced in leading nonclinical studies with small and large molecule pharmaceuticals, stem cells, and gene therapies using multiple routes of administration