A/Prof Tina Soulis boasts over 28 years of distinguished experience across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, academic research, and clinical management. From her tenure as CEO of a Contract Research Organization to her role as Director of an ASX200 company, and now as Founder and Director of her own clinical CRO, Tina has exhibited dynamic leadership and a strategic mindset. Her extensive global network and expertise in numerous therapeutic areas across all development phases underscore her multifaceted contributions to the healthcare industry.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Tina holds academic appointments at the University of Melbourne, where she actively engages in teaching and supporting undergraduate pharmacology, as well as mentoring Master’s students in Leadership and Commercialization in Science programs. Committed to nurturing future industry leaders and advocating for the Australian R&D community, Tina serves on multiple therapeutic executive advisory boards and advises US-based biotechnology firms. Her passion for knowledge sharing is evident through her frequent engagements as a speaker on clinical trials, research, innovation, and industry collaboration, both locally and globally.
Lynn Scott obtained her J.D. degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. She is the Co-Chair of the Health Care Technology & Innovation Practice and a shareholder at Polsinelli PC (Atlanta) in the Technology Transactions & Data Privacy and Corporate Practice Groups. Ms. Scott advises pharma and biotechnology clients with various research and development activities and clinical trial related agreements for precision medicine, drugs and medical devices, including sponsor, supply and quality agreements. In addition, she works with her IP colleagues with respect to software and other technology and telecommunications related agreements, commercialization of innovations, licensing, contracting, and capital raising activities. Ms. Scott also advises corporate entities, academic institutions and medical centers and hospital systems regarding data aggregation, usage and monetization; and in licensing, sponsored research and development and other activities related to internally developed intellectual property. With over twenty years of hands-on law firm and in-house experience, Ms. Scott combines industry-specific knowledge with cutting edge and innovative solutions to complex and novel business challenges. Previously, Ms. Scott was a Partner at Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton, LLP, Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP, and King and Spalding, LLP, advising emerging growth companies in the fields of biotech and other domains.
Dr. Deaver brings extensive expertise and experience to Brain Trust Bio in medicinal chemistry, non-clinical pharmacology, toxicology and the drug discovery, development, and approval processes. Dr. Deaver spent 17 years at Alkermes, Inc., where he directed life sciences and toxicology before becoming vice president of non-clinical research and development. Prior to that, he spent several years as a professor and graduate program chair at Penn State University. Dr. Deaver spent many years developing strategies for toxicology programs to support all states of clinical development, from Phase 1 through NDA submission. He has provided scientific leadership in designing and executing toxicology programs to support a variety of drug candidates including inhaled proteins, inhaled small molecules, injectable extended release drug products, orally delivered small molecules and a biologic for oncology. He has established expertise in both cell-based and mouse models, with a focus on GPCR ligands and receptors. He has been awarded numerous U.S. patents, and has been published extensively in various professional and academic journals, and book chapters. Dr. Deaver received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland College Park, and his PhD from West Virginia University, Morgantown.
Prior to this role, Ali was Vice President at Petiole Asset Management, based in New York, NY, focusing on private equity, credit investments since 2012. Ali started his career at Wafra, Inc. in New York, NY as an Analyst in 2011. Ali holds a degree in Finance from the University of San Diego.
With over 17 years of clinical practice, award-winning research, and therapeutic innovation, Nicholas Boulis, MD brings leading-edge science-based direction to Above and Beyond’s mission. As Director of Emory University’s Gene and Cell Therapy for Neurorestoration Laboratory, and as Associate professor in Emory’s Department of Neurosurgery, he has significant expertise in translational medicine, bridging the gap from proof-of-principle laboratory research to clinical trials and patient treatment. With his distinguished expertise in the field of gene transfer to the nervous system, Dr. Boulis’ lab pursues novel and advanced treatments for ALS, as well as Parkinson’s disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and refractory pain conditions.
Dr. Boulis recent focus has been on translating biotechnology advancements to ALS through the invention of new instrumentation, methods, and combined interventions addressing biological neurorestoration and neuromodulation through the use of cell, protein and gene delivery to the nervous system Therapeutic innovations pioneered by Dr. Boulis include human trials of direct stem cell transplantation into the spinal cord to achieve motor neuron protection and, ultimately with additional advancements, repair in ALS patients. A second program has concentrated on motor neuron-specific gene delivery to achieve neuroprotection to preserve muscle function and lay the groundwork for restoration. Dr. Boulis has also applied frontline animal models and cell culture techniques using engineered viruses to transfer therapeutic genes for neural growth factors and anti-apoptotic proteins into diseased tissue.
A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Boulis has held faculty appointments at The Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. Since 2012 he has also been on faculty at Georgia Tech’s Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience Center for Regenerative Engineering and Medicine. A 2010 recipient of the Philip J Bowen Award for contributions to ALS Research, Dr. Boulis also serves on the Michael J Fox Foundation Advisory Committee on Deep Brain Stimulation Research. As author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 4 patents, including a path-breaking approach to spinal cord-delivered therapeutics, Dr. Boulis’ research and clinical accomplishments are in the vanguard of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Chen Benkler currently serves as the CEO of BrainTrust Bio. Prior to this position she served as the Chief Scientific Officer of Above and Beyond NB LLC where she participated in the development of the technology that is now at the core of BrainTrust Bio. With the blessing of Above and Beyond’s management, Dr. Benkler initiated the formation of BrainTrust Bio as a company dedicated to the development of that technology into a superhighway into the central nervous system. She was promoted to the Chief Scientific Officer for Above and Beyond NB LLC after a short term as the Director of Neuromuscular Restoration for Above and Beyond NB LLC where she successfully launch the first ever Neuromuscular Restoration Program aimed at rebuilding neuromuscular function by replacement of the depleting spinal motor neurons and formation of new neuromuscular junctions. She has an extensive background in gene therapy and neuroscience, with a focus on innovative and translational research for neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Benkler received her Ph.D. in Genetics and Biochemistry from Tel Aviv University in 2013 after receiving a MS.C. in Medical Sciences and a B.Sc in life science. Her work resulted in several patents and collaborations driving her to co-found the Gene Therapy Biotechnology Start-up Neurogen LTD and serve as its CSO (2012-2014). Prior to that she served in the Israeli Intelligence Core (2004-2006). Dr. Benkler received her Post-Doctoral training as a Fellow in the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University (2013-2017).
