Leadership

With more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Chonnettia has held leadership roles in mission-driven organizations in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where she has contributed to advancing science and health research. At Addgene, Chonnettia manages long-term organizational strategy and initiatives to support growth and the execution of Addgene’s mission. Previously at Michael Smith Health Research BC, Chonnettia directed strategic initiatives and funding programs to drive impactful outcomes in health research across British Columbia. During her tenure at the Wellcome Trust, she played a pivotal role in evaluating the effectiveness of global health research funding. While at the Janelia Research Campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, she managed an international collaborative program that developed cutting-edge tools to tackle complex problems in biomedical research. Through her professional and volunteer engagements, she advocates for transformative and positive change in the global research ecosystem.

Chonnettia holds a PhD in Biochemistry, Cell, and Developmental Biology from Emory University.

Daniela is a computer scientist and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience building software systems. At Addgene, Daniela is responsible for defining and executing the digital technology strategy that furthers Addgene’s mission of accelerating research and discovery in the life sciences. Prior to joining Addgene, Daniela worked in various clinical, healthcare, and biomedical informatics ventures, including as Director of Informatics Technology for the Harvard Clinical and Translational Sciences Center of the Harvard Medical School.

Daniela holds a PhD and MS in Computer Science from the Université de Rennes, France, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in Mexico City.

Melina is a life science entrepreneur who co-founded Addgene in 2004. At Addgene, Melina oversees all of Addgene’s research operations and scientific initiatives — contributing to the long-term organizational strategy. With a passion for science, education, and global health, she previously held positions at Genetics Institute, Sequana Therapeutics, and the Wyss Institute. Melina also co-founded LabLife, a company providing web-based lab management software to biology research labs, and served as Chief Scientific Officer. She has supported entrepreneurship as a Expert-in-Residence at Harvard Innovation Labs and as an angel investor via Pipeline Angels and Golden Seeds.

Melina holds a PhD in Cell Biology from Harvard University and a BS in Biology from MIT.

Tracy has more than 20 years of experience working in human resources — joining the field after she discovered a passion for shaping workplace cultures that inspire, engage, and empower employees. At Addgene, Tracy leads the organization’s human resources function and manages employee relations and performance management to support growth and business strategy objectives. Tracy previously specialized in HR, working in the professional services industry including legal and Big 4 before joining Addgene in 2014. A long-time volunteer with the Special Olympics of Massachusetts and the Boston Marathon and a member of several town committees, Tracy is equally committed to community engagement.

Tracy holds a BS in Nutrition and Exercise Sports Sciences from the University of Arizona.

Eleanor is a strategic business leader with more than 15 years of commercial experience in the life science research tools and diagnostics industries. At Addgene, Eleanor oversees the business development, marketing, sales, communications, and customer service functions, while driving revenue growth and market expansion for the organization. She has a proven track record building and optimizing commercial organizations to accelerate growth. Prior to joining Addgene, she held commercial leadership roles at Synthego and LGC Clinical Diagnostics.

Eleanor holds a PhD from the Australian National University and an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management.

Larry has an extensive breadth of experience in financial and operational leadership, primarily with technology and manufacturing companies, and has a hands-on approach and analytical mindset. At Addgene, Larry oversees strategic financial planning, operational management, and infrastructure enhancement. Prior to Addgene, Larry served as VP of Finance at Ready Robotics. He has managed the closing of many capital transactions, including equity fund-raisings, debt placements, and Initial Public Offerings for Timberland, Chomerics, and Atex Media Solutions.

Larry holds a BA in Finance and Accounting from Westminster College.

Luk Vandenberghe is the Grousbeck Family Professor in Gene Therapy at Mass General Brigham and Harvard. His research is focused on basic, translational, and clinical aspects of gene therapy, including the mechanistic basis of somatic gene transfer, technology development, and disease-specific development programs. Previously, Luk's team elucidated entry mechanisms for AAV, discovered and developed novel gene transfer technologies, and furthered the development of genetic medicine for neurosensory, neuromuscular, liver, and infectious diseases. He co-founded GenSight Biologics, Akouos (now part of Eli Lilly), Albamunity/Ciendias Bio, Affinia Therapeutics, and Lyora Therapeutics. He and colleagues started the nonprofit Odylia Therapeutics to support the development of non-commercially viable gene therapies.

Luk holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine from KU Leuven and an MS in Cellular and Genetic Biology from KU Leuven.

Khandan Baradaran is Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Quality at Nanoscope Therapeutics. She has two decades of experience in manufacturing and regulatory review of gene therapy products, including regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) experience. Prior to Nanoscope, Khandan served as Vice President of Regulatory CMC at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., a biopharmaceutical company involved in the research and development of novel products for the treatment of rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases. Previously, Khandan was Vice President and Head of Quality at Dimension Therapeutics, a gene therapy company focused on developing novel treatments for rare diseases. Prior to this, she held CMC and Regulatory positions at Biogen, Novartis, and Dyax.

Khandan holds a PhD in Virology from Harvard University and a BA in Molecular Biology from Wellesley College.

Jen Beachell is a strategy consultant and entrepreneur who serves as an advisor to several startup biotech and healthcare companies. Jen advised Addgene on commercial expansion and P&L restructuring prior to joining the board. She is a founding member of the leadership team and former Chief Operating Officer of Upstream Bio. In her role as COO, Jen led strategic planning, program management, public relations, and human resources. Prior to joining Upstream Bio, Jen was Vice President of Auto-Antibody Disease Area Strategy at Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine. She established the expansion strategy for the monoclonal antibody nipocalimab after the acquisition of Momenta Pharmaceuticals, where she was part of the leadership team.

Jen holds an MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Smith College.

Kathryn Brown is Senior Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, where she accelerates the Foundation’s efforts to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives. She serves as a vital connector between the CF Foundation and key audiences, with responsibility for amplifying organizational impact, inspiring engagement, and empowering the CF community through information and experiences.

Prior to joining the CF Foundation in 2023, Kathryn led communications at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a top biomedical research organization, and marketing and communications at The Conservation Fund, an innovative environmental nonprofit. As an award-winning science journalist, she was a correspondent for the journal Science, freelanced for national media outlets, and co-authored a book for people with asthma. In addition to Addgene, she has served on the boards of the Association of Independent Research Institutes and the National Association of Science Writers.

Kathryn holds a BA in Journalism and Psychology from the University of Missouri.

Joanna Brownstein is Founder and Principal of Brownstein Consulting LLC, a healthcare-focused consulting practice, and also a Founder of Succeed Studio, a boutique executive coaching practice. Joanna has more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare and health technology, with a career spanning academia, pharmaceuticals, consulting, and entrepreneurial ventures. She is part of the teaching team for the MIT Sloan Healthcare Lab and provides leadership and executive coaching through the MIT Leadership Center. She has held key leadership roles in product, operations, and customer success at organizations including Kyruus, Medically Home, Navya Network, Novartis, and Harvard Medical School.

Joanna holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and a MSW from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts.

Bethany Cavanagh is the Senior Vice President of Finance, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer at Beam Therapeutics, where she oversees financial strategy and management, and plays a key role in guiding the company's fiscal direction. Her financial acumen and analytical expertise have contributed significantly to Beam Therapeutics' success in navigating complex financial landscapes.

Prior to her role at Beam Therapeutics, Bethany held the position of Executive Director of Financial Planning & Analysis at CRISPR Therapeutics, where she led financial forecasting, budgeting, and strategic analysis initiatives.

Bethany holds an MBA from Babson College and a BA in English from Roger Williams University.

Kenneth Fan is a co-founder of Addgene. From 2004 to 2015, Ken led business efforts at Addgene as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. He is currently an entrepreneur and investor based in the Boston area. He previously served as the first Chief Operating Officer at eGenesis, a gene editing company developing solid organ and cell therapies.

Ken holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, an MA in International Affairs from Tufts University, and a BS in Computer Engineering from Tufts University.

Michael Koeris leads the Biological Technologies Office at DARPA, focusing on anticipating and creating strategic surprise to support National Security for the US. Prior to DARPA, Mike held a faculty appointment as an Associate Professor for Bioprocessing at the Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) at the Claremont Colleges. Mike also founded several startups in the field of synthetic biology, leading one to acquisition and another to a public listing. He served as Venture Partner with The Venture Collective and advised the NIH as a portfolio executive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University, an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School, and a BS and MS in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Freie Universität Berlin.

Bart Newland is an attorney with extensive and diverse IP and corporate experience. He serves as Head of Legal and IP at Atalanta Therapeutics. Bart has been a partner and shareholder in a prominent Washington DC-based law firm, Vice President at Genzyme Corporation, and Senior Vice President and Chief IP Counsel at Biogen.

Bart holds a JD from William and Mary Law School and a BS in Microbiology from University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Carl Paratore serves as the Chief Audit Executive at Point32Health. In that capacity, he leads the Internal Audit & Risk functions, bringing a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the company’s risk management, control, and governance processes. Prior to Point32Health, Carl worked at Tufts Health Plan, MetLife, and Ernst & Young LLP with related experience across healthcare, finance, and high-tech industries. He is a certified public accountant (CPA), certified information systems auditor (CISA), and certified health insurance executive (CHIE). He is a member of both the Internal Institute of Auditors and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. Carl also serves on the Board at the Greater Boston Food Bank, working to combat food insecurity across eastern Massachusetts.

Carl Paratore holds an MBA in Finance and a BS in Accounting from Babson College.

David Root is the founding Director of the Genetic Perturbation Platform (GPP) at the Broad Institute and the Functional Genomics Consortium, which develops technologies to manipulate the genome and understand gene function. GPP created many widely used vectors and libraries shared through Addgene and is also a co-originator of Broad's Cancer Dependency Map (DepMap) project, to which GPP contributed more than 1,700 genome-wide screens. Dave previously taught chemistry at Swarthmore College.

David holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from Stanford University and a BA in Chemistry from Swarthmore College.

Julie Stanley-Cicalese is a human resources leader with nearly 30 years of experience empowering and leading HR teams. Her senior leadership positions included interim Associate Dean for Human Resources at both the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Medical School, and Assistant Dean for Human Resources at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She previously served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Harvard Medical School, where she brought leadership teams together to advance the mission of the school. Ms. Stanley-Cicalese currently serves on the advisory board for Art in Giving. Ms. Stanley-Cicalese is dedicated to volunteerism and ran the Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage to benefit the Leukemia Society, the Boston Marathon for MGH Pediatric Oncology, and the Chicago Marathon for Neurofibromatosis, New England.

Frank Stegmeier is currently CSO Partner at Curie.Bio, a founder-focused venture firm that invests in early-stage companies to help founders turn their ideas into transformative medicines in a capital-efficient way. Prior to joining Curie.Bio, Frank was the Chief Scientific Officer at KSQ Therapeutics, a biotech company that that has built an industry-leading CRISPRomics platform to discover optimal oncology and IO targets, where he advanced KSQ-479, the first selective USP1 inhibitor, and two eTIL programs (KSQ-001 and KSQ-004) into the clinic. Prior to joining KSQ Therapeutics, Frank served as Head of Global Oncology Target Discovery at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), where he was responsible for developing the early oncology drug discovery portfolio.

Frank holds a PhD in Biology from MIT and was a Helen Hay Whitney postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School.