External Advisory Board

	Peter Farina, Ph.D., Canaan Partners, Executive in Residence Dr. Farina has successfully developed and registered treatments for HIV, COPD and emphysema, during his career at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, where he served as Senior Vice President of Development. Deeply committed to state-wide collaboration and economic development, Peter is a board member for non-profit, government and academic organizations within Connecticut.
	Brian Dixon, Ph.D., Consultant Dr. Dixon brings a depth of experience on the commercialization of academic technology as the former President and CEO of BioRelix, and has a broad pharmaceutical industry perspective developed as a Vice President of Bayer Healthcare. Brian also brings his medicinal chemistry expertise to evaluate the potential of PITCH projects.
	Amy Burd, Ph.D., Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Executive Director Research Strategy Dr. Burd brings strategic insight as a consultant and portfolio manager in non-profit organizations and Connecticut pharmaceutical companies (Boehringer Ingelheim and Bayer) and start-up ventures. Amy recognizes the value of opportunities where academic research and medical needs collide.
	Bill LaRochelle, Ph.D., Scientific Director at Roche Sequencing Solutions Dr. LaRochelle translates ideas from visionary thinking to well positioned applications based on sequencing technologies. With a career spanning experiences in large biopharmaceutical company (Roche), biotechnology (454, Curagen) and government science (NCI), Bill is well positioned to understand the perspectives of academic researchers and application of their technology.
	Sam Gerritz, Ph.D., Senior Principal Scientist at Bristol-Myers Squibb Dr. Gerritz contributes a wealth of knowledge in medicinal chemical gained from his senior role in drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry. An expert in the design of chemical methods for the identification of small molecules as therapeutic agents, Sam has published extensively in leading science journals and has filed numerous patents. Sam is highly experienced in a scientific advisory role having served on and frequently chaired several committees, boards and panels.
	Laurel Sweet, Ph.D., Consultant Dr. Sweet is an experienced leader in pharmaceutical research and development, working predominantly in the field of diabetes. Working in biotech and pharma (Bayer, Pfizer), she led drug discovery/early development portfolios from idea through Phase 2 proof of concept clinical trials. She has significant experience working with academic, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical communities to identify potential research programs, collaborations, and licensing opportunities.