OUR MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Featured Mentors
Elizabeth Cho-Fertikh, PhD is Founder of ECF Biosolutions, a life sciences consulting practice specializing in therapeutic and medical device start-up company growth and development. The practice provides non-dilutive and dilutive fundraising, preclinical – clinical stage testing and business development counsel. The consulting team is comprised of MDs and PhDs with expertise in oncology, surgery, neuroradiology, immunology and psychology. Dr. Cho-Fertikh’s commercialization expertise is grounded in 25+ years in cancer research, grants administration of therapeutic technology development programs for the Department of Defense and Cancer Prevention Institute of Texas, and science and business development positions at biotech start-ups. She is an Advisory Board of the Johns Hopkins Alliance for Science and Technology, a Board Observer for Kitotech Medical, and a member of the DC-CAAG angel investor group. She recently co-founded Carillon Biopharma, a cancer nanotechnology venture, for which she serves as CEO.
1. What does being part of the naisA Global mentoring program mean to you?
2. What advice would you give your 20 year old self?
3. How do you de-stress?
4. What do you do to ensure your continued growth and development as a leader?
One of the most enriching ways I have found is networking beyond my immediate work circles. I invariably learn to consider dimensions about my own work in ways that I otherwise would not have thought of: stakeholders, touch points/pain points, etc. This helps me to push beyond dogma, to be as innovative a leader as possible.
5. What has been your proudest achievement in your career? Why?
The most fulfilling achievement occurred recently: it was leading a team of highly accomplished professionals and graduate students in a NIH Cancer Therapeutic Start Up Challenge, which was international in scope. I felt responsible for the success of the group not just simply in terms of winning, but more in keeping them happily engaged for the 5 month duration. This was a purely voluntarily undertaking. If anyone has tried to herd a group of volunteers, they know how tough it can get! My team members were scattered throughout the US so we could only convene virtually. Despite this, the team delivered milestones, remained cohesive, excited, and propelled us to a win.