Matt Middleman, M.D.
Founding Partner, CEO
Matt Middleman, M.D.
Founding Partner, CEO
Matt is the founder and CEO of LifeSci Communications. He is a physician and scientist having trained and taught at top academic institutions in multiple fields, including general surgery and anesthesiology. Matt’s academic research was focused on immunology and oncology at the National Cancer Institute and the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Matt held an assistant professorship at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a faculty position at the Montefiore Medical Center specializing in transplant anesthesiology.
Prior to founding LifeSci Communications, Matt was a vice president at Russo Partners where he planned and oversaw numerous successful communications programs and supervised all corporate messaging and positioning activities. Matt was also a senior biotechnology equities analyst at Avalon Research.
Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Cornell University and received his medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Matt has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications.
Drew Levinson
Executive VP/Head of Media Relations
Drew Levinson
Executive VP/Head of Media Relations
Drew Levinson is EVP, Head of Media Relations at LifeSci Communications. Drew is a former national television journalist. Together with his public relations background, he has 30 years’ experience to draw from as he provides our companies with media counsel including strategy, crisis, and reputation management.
Drew helps our clients raise their profile in the media. He leverages his extensive media knowledge and expertise along with his relationships with journalists to position our companies in influential top tier television, print and online media outlets along with financial and science trade publications.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Drew was a senior vice president at Hill+Knowlton Strategies where he worked closely with the firm’s global account teams helping them develop messages and story angles relevant to journalists and their audiences. He provided media strategy, crisis management and executive communications coaching to a full range of clients including biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies, medical groups, and hospitals.
Drew spent more than two decades as a local and network television news correspondent. While at CBS News, he reported on major world stories including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, five presidential elections and natural disasters. He covered hundreds of medical and health stories including the first self-contained mechanical heart implanted in the U.S., major breakthroughs in cancer and Parkinson’s research.
Drew graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Peace, War and Defense.
Jessica Snider
Vice President, Digital Engagement
Jessica Snider
Vice President, Digital Engagement
Jessica Snider leads the social media and digital team at LifeSci Communications. In her role, she ensures companies are using digital platforms to successfully understand and communicate with target audiences in order to achieve business goals. Jessica has almost a decade of experience executing integrated social and digital media campaigns for a variety of high-profile clients within the biotechnology and healthcare industries, including helping to develop the first successful use of a social media platform for clinical trial patient recruitment for a Top 5 global pharmaceutical company.
Prior to joining LifeSci, she worked at Intouch Solutions, a global healthcare marketing agency. She has led the strategy, development and execution of branded product, disease state education, clinical trial recruitment, corporate communications and influencer campaigns for multiple top pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Alkermes, Alnylam, Genentech, Novartis, Novocure, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and TESARO. She has supported clients working across areas including immune disorders, oncology, neurological diseases, rare diseases, metabolic diseases and medical devices.
Jessica holds a bachelor of arts degrees in Advertising and Public Relations and a master of arts in Communication with an emphasis in Integrated Marketing from Drury University
Vicki O’Neil
Executive Creative Director
Vicki O’Neil
Executive Creative Director
Vicki is the Executive Creative Director of LifeSci Communications with over a decade of creative leadership and brand-building experience. Prior to launching the creative department at LifeSci, she led creative campaigns within the HCP, managed markets, and promotional arenas. During this time, she has gained an extensive background in building integrated solutions for a variety of commercial pharmaceutical companies.
Vicki has spearheaded creative initiatives and product launches across a range of therapeutic areas including rare disease, pain management, oncology, diabetes, and HIV. She thrives on finding brand solutions for clients through strategic creative differentiation, conceptual design execution and focused messaging.
Vicki graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Academy of Art University of San Francisco and is formally trained in biological sciences.
Daniel Perlmutter
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Daniel Perlmutter
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Dan is Vice President of Business Development at LifeSci and leads the agency’s new business initiatives. Joining most recently from an eight and a half year career managing Bloomberg’s biotech and pharmaceutical client relationships, Dan has worked with notable clients such as Celgene, Pfizer, Novartis, Takeda, Allergan, and Teva.
He gained his knowledge in the sector by working directly with the companies’ business development, competitive intelligence, investor relations, and treasury departments. Prior to his time at Bloomberg, Dan worked for HedgeCo Networks, where he was Director of Advertising Sales, working with service providers to the hedge fund industry.
Dan graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, with a bachelor’s in English.
Bonnie Buie
Vice President, Business Development
Bonnie Buie
Vice President, Business Development
Bonnie Buie is a Senior Vice President of Business Development at LifeSci Communications and brings more than 15+ years of leadership experience in the agency growth discipline. She has driven growth across a range of agency and brand environments, from boutiques to global agencies and Fortune 500 and emerging biotech companies. She has worked with notable clients such as Pfizer, Novartis, Genentech, Amazon, Moderna, Ford, and American Express.
She joins from Revive, where she served as Senior Vice President of Growth, overseeing business development, strategic growth, marketing, and communications. Before joining Revive, Bonnie was the Senior Vice President at Catapult, where she developed growth strategies to help dozens of agencies win new clients.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in Biology.
Anne Shelton, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Account Executive
Anne Shelton, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Account Executive
Anne brings extensive expertise across the medical sciences spectrum as a physician-scientist, combining six years of laboratory research and eight years of clinical practice as a pediatrician. Her Ph.D. work focused on the molecular basis of erythropoiesis and novel therapeutic targets for anemia. In addition to published peer-reviewed articles and oral presentations at various national conferences, Anne has experience in grant writing as well as publishing LTEs/Op-eds, continuing medical education content for healthcare peers, and email newsletters. Anne is a fluid communicator with all stakeholders and finds joy in working with highly sophisticated and lay audiences alike. Areas of clinical interest include hematology, oncology, clinical genetics, vaccine research, rare diseases across the lifespan, and patient engagement and advocacy.
Anne is active in the field of clinical Pediatrics through her professional organization, continuing medical education and advocacy projects. She maintains an active medical license and board certification.
Anne received her B.A. degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of California at Berkeley. She subsequently completed an NIH-sponsored Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Virginia School of Medicine where she earned her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. She completed her residency in General Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and earned her board Certification in Pediatrics in 2016.
Andrew Mielach
Vice President, Account Management
Andrew Mielach
Vice President, Account Management
Andrew W. Mielach has nearly 15 years of life sciences communications experience working with numerous publicly traded and privately held life sciences companies at varying stages of development. As the strategic lead for many of LifeSci’s high-profile clients, Andrew has worked closely with a variety of management teams to establish communications platforms that clearly define each client’s value proposition, and then execute individualized programs that have successfully elevated each company’s profile in the highly influential business, industry, healthcare and mainstream media. Within his areas of expertise include strategic message development, milestone planning, thought leadership, media relations, crisis communications and corporate branding.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Andrew was a managing supervisor for JFK Communications, where he served as an account co-lead helping to drive physician, patient and disease awareness campaigns for multiple clients primarily in the oncology space. Before JFK, Andrew was a vice president with Ruder Finn, Inc., and worked to execute public relations initiatives for Novartis Oncology’s neuroendocrine tumor (NET) franchise and UCB Pharma’s neurology products. Prior to Ruder Finn, Andrew was a vice president at Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc., an investor relations and corporate communications firm where he counseled healthcare clients on message development, corporate positioning, content development, milestone planning and media relations.
Andrew received his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Seton Hall University.
Autumn Von Plinsky
Senior Art Director
Autumn Von Plinsky
Senior Art Director
Autumn Von Plinsky is a Senior Art Director on the LifeSci creative team with a specialty in scientific illustration and animation. Her broad industry background includes experience in 360 branding, website design, corporate decks and template creation, and logo design. Prior to her role at LifeSci, Autumn worked in museum retail & educational design, as well as mass-market packaging, product, and promotional design with The New York Botanical Garden, Kikkerland Design, Inc., and the Yale Great Mountain Forest.
As an illustrator for many LifeSci clients, she has developed custom scientific and medical illustrations for educational outreach, presentations, and informational materials for use by professionals and patients. She has over 5 years of professional creative experience with subjects ranging from macrobiology & ecology to oncology, neurology, genetics, and mechanism of action illustration.
Autumn graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor’s in Visual Art with coursework in biological science.
Brett Whelan
Account Director
Brett Whelan
Account Director
Brett is a Vice President of Account Management, specializing in commercialization at LifeSci Communications. She has spent her career providing strategic support to her clients, partnering with them to develop and oversee the implementation of marketing strategies across various disease states. Brett has experience in both the unbranded and branded space and has worked alongside industry leaders to launch award winning campaigns. Prior to joining LifeSci, Brett worked at several marketing agencies including Fingerpaint and Razorfish Health. Within these agencies, she managed accounts in dermatology, psychiatry, immunology, and oncology with a focus on digital HCP initiatives. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics from Dickinson College.
Brianna Bundshuh
Associate Director, Agency Operations
Brianna Bundshuh
Associate Director, Agency Operations
Brianna Bundshuh strategizes and executes all business development efforts at LifeSci Communications where she specializes in proposal writing, contract drafting, and developing LifeSci’s messaging and marketing materials. Since working at LifeSci, Brianna’s efforts have led to the company tripling in size in both client and employment numbers. Outside of her business development efforts for the company, Brianna manages onboarding for all LifeSci accounts as they transition from prospect to new client. She also manages logistics for LifeSci’s conference events such as the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and the BIO International Convention.
Brianna began her career at LifeSci as an executive assistant to the founding partner and CEO where she oversaw many of the company’s day-to-day activities including business development efforts, employee recruitment and hiring, client onboarding, employee onboarding, company travel, expense management and cost allocation, scheduling, and event organization. Prior to LifeSci, Brianna worked as an executive assistant and project coordinator to two partners at Grimshaw Architects where she assisted with administrative tasks such as travel and expense management on projects for organizations such as John F. Kennedy Airport, Newark Airport, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York. She also organized company events for staff and coordinated activities between internal teams such as financing, IT, and business development.
Brianna received her bachelor of arts degree in English Language and Literature from Pace University.
Brigid Duffy
Creative Director, Strategic Copy
Brigid Duffy
Creative Director, Strategic Copy
Brigid Duffy brings over a decade of brand building, strategic planning, and creative leadership to LifeSci Communications as Creative Director, Strategic Copy. Brigid is adept at finding insights to unlock ideas, developing brand narratives, and bringing the client promise to life with unforgettable creative.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Brigid led creative initiatives at several healthcare-focused creative agencies. She launched award-winning integrated patient and HCP campaigns across a range of therapeutic areas, including rare and infectious disease, women’s health, CNS, oncology, and diagnostic services. As a journalist, Brigid covered the latest developments in the fields of gastroenterology, general surgery, and anesthesiology.
Before Brigid discovered her deep passion to connect people to life-changing products, she focused on consumer clients. She has conceptualized and executed experiential campaigns for Nickelodeon, Microsoft Surface, and Nike, among others.
Brigid graduated magna cum laude from the University of Richmond with a B.A. in English and Philosophy. She received the writing award in kindergarten.
Brittany Leigh, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Brittany Leigh, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Brittany Leigh, Ph.D., leverages her scientific expertise to develop compelling narratives and comprehensive communications strategies for companies across therapeutic areas with complex scientific stories. Bridging across the client services and medical communications team, she works with client partners to develop a scientific strategy to efficiently accomplish key corporate and scientific objectives. Her work includes corporate and scientific messaging, mechanism of action narratives, disease awareness campaigns, clinical trial recruitment, scientific strategy for data dissemination and corporate communications strategy.
Prior to joining LifeSci, she trained as a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Vanderbilt University where she lead the virology research for a clinical trial and investigated cellular mechanism behind vector control strategies to combat transmission of RNA viruses. Prior to her time at Vanderbilt, Brittany received her Ph.D. from the University of South Florida investigating the interplay between the immune system of marine organisms and the ocean of microbes they inhabit. Combined with her pre-doctoral experience in shark cancer resistance research, she maintains a wide array of expertise including genetics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, microbiology, virology, biochemistry, immunology, and oncology.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in Biology.
Christian Chavez
Associate Creative Director
Christian Chavez
Associate Creative Director
Christian is an Associate Creative Director at LifeSci Communications with nearly 20 years of experience in both the consumer and healthcare spaces. In that time he has helped build, launch, and maintain multiple brands and integrated campaigns across a range of disciplines including rare disease, neurology, dermatology, weight loss, cardiovascular, consumer electronics, and sports/entertainment, among others.
His approach to effective communication focuses on delivering conceptual solutions that achieve a distinct relevance to the strategic imperatives of a brand while providing audiences with targeted messaging in a clear and comprehensible manner.
Christian earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Graphic Design Communication from Philadelphia University.
Daniel Donato
Senior Account Executive
Daniel Donato
Senior Account Executive
Dan supports the day-to-day deliverables for a wide range of clients involved in oncology, gastrointestinal diseases, rare diseases, and medical technology. He has experience developing communications materials including corporate messaging, press releases, social media materials, and media documents. Dan has assisted clients through several milestones including data announcements, IPO and PDUFA preparation, and financing rounds.
Prior to joining LSC, Dan worked at two of the world’s largest public relations firms including Burson Cohn & Wolfe and Rubenstein Strategic Communications supporting campaigns for some of the firm’s key clients including the Hospital for Special Surgery, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and Colgate. Additionally, Dan got started in the healthcare public relations field by working at Medical Dynamics.
Dan has a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a double minor in marketing and business administration from Towson University.
Emma Santos
Senior Account Executive
Emma Santos
Senior Account Executive
Emma Santos is a senior account executive at LifeSci Communications.
Emma has supported digital strategy development and tactical execution for clients across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, health services and consumer products industries, as well as associated policy areas, including biosimilars, drug pricing, Medicare and supply chain transparency. She has worked with companies representing a variety of therapeutic areas, including neurology, oncology and rare diseases. Emma has comprehensive experience in managing corporate social media channels and executing social campaigns.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Emma worked at Edelman and GCI Health.
Emma holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Maryland.
Esther Lee
Director, Administration and HR Operations
Esther Lee
Director, Administration and HR Operations
Esther is the Director of Administration and HR Operations at LifeSci Communications, a global communications and marketing agency serving clients in life sciences and medical technology. She oversees office operations, coordinates recruiting efforts, and manages office events. Esther also supports the senior leadership team.
Prior to LifeSci Communications, Esther worked in human resources at GIC, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors. She also served as the executive assistant to the president of the Americas. As part of the executive office, Esther executed a wide range of events with heads of state and prominent industry leaders. She also oversaw onboarding, recruitment coordination, and learning and development initiatives.
Esther started her career at the Harry Fox Agency, one of the largest music licensing agencies in its time. She managed client accounts which included major music publishing companies, ensuring the proper collection and distribution of music royalties.
Esther graduated from the Berklee School of Music with a Bachelor of Music.
Gloria Gasaatura
Director, Account Management
Gloria Gasaatura
Director, Account Management
Gloria Gasaatura has over a decade of healthcare communications experience. She works with companies to refine their corporate messaging and share their story with key audiences via a range of communication channels. She recently led a private company’s renaming, messaging and branding efforts to align with the management team’s new vision for the company.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Gloria worked at Lazar Partners, where she led strategic corporate communications and public relations programs for emerging life sciences, biopharma and medtech companies. Her expertise span physician awareness initiatives, data and regulatory milestones, patient advocacy and society group engagement, social media campaigns and disease awareness programs. Her past clients include companies such as Medtronic, Neural Analytics and United Orthopedic Corporation. Prior to Lazar Partners, Gloria was with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery where she supported patient education initiatives, media relations, member engagement and awareness campaigns. Gloria has worked on a broad range of therapeutic categories including aesthetics, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, respiratory, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, hematology and inflammation.
She holds a master of science in public relations and corporate communications from New York University.
Hannah Saltzman
Senior Project Manager
Hannah Saltzman
Senior Project Manager
Hannah is a Senior Project Manager at LifeSci Communications.
Before joining LifeSci, Hannah worked in project management at PrecisionValue, a leading Market Access Marketing Agency. At PrecisionValue, she led hundreds of projects with varying teams for pharmaceutical clients pre-, during-, and post-FDA approval. Hannah has experience working with multiple pharmaceutical companies across several therapeutic areas. She has extensive knowledge of process and workflow management.
Hannah earned her bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications with minors in Disability Studies and Leadership from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Heather Offermann
Copy Supervisor
Heather Offermann
Copy Supervisor
Heather is a Copy Supervisor at LifeSci Communications. Passionate about the intersection between life sciences and the arts/humanities, Heather brings an interdisciplinary perspective to content creation for LifeSci’s clients, producing work that is distinctive, thoughtful, and empathetic.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Heather gained experience in a variety of creative industries, including market research, design research/strategy, graphic design, and innovation consulting.
Heather graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience. During her academic career she interned as a researcher at Harvard Medical School and Biogen Inc., while contributing to Northeastern’s science magazine, NU SCI, as a staff writer and editor.
Jacki Farnese
Art Director
Jacki Farnese
Art Director
Jacki Farnese is a LifeSci Art Director with extensive experince in digital content creation.
She brings over seven years of experience in foundational branding and UX design within biopharma and biotech. Jacki has developed a wide range of materials for conferences, presentations, and informational marketing assets for both healthcare providers and patients.
Jacki graduated with two bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Visual Art from Rutgers University. She also received certification in Graphic Design from Parsons School of Design.
Jacquelyn Cochet
Director, Project Management
Jacquelyn Cochet
Director, Project Management
Jacquelyn is responsible for all project management initiatives at LifeSci Communications. She has experience leading an array of digital and print marketing projects designed for different audiences including HCPs, patients, and caregivers.
Before joining LifeSci, Jacquelyn worked in project management at GSW, a Syneos Health Company focusing in pharmaceutical advertising. During her time at GSW, she led a team to commercialization of a dual indication, first of its kind oncology treatment. Throughout her career as a project manager, Jacquelyn worked with several pharmaceutical companies including Bristol Meyers Squibb, Pfizer, Amgen, and Bayer and has a vast knowledge of market best practices, process, and workflow.
Jacquelyn received her bachelor’s degree in advertising, management emphasis, from Temple University.
Jacqueline Wickwire
Senior Account Executive
Jacqueline Wickwire
Senior Account Executive
Jacqueline Wickwire is a Senior Account Executive at LifeSci Communications where she supports corporate and external communications initiatives for early stage and pre-clinical biotechnology companies. Jacqueline has experience developing and executing on a variety of communications campaigns including scientific messaging, corporate communications, media relations, and integrated marketing. Jacqueline has successfully assisted clients through various milestones, including series financing rounds, IPOs, clinical trial recruitment, and pre-clinical and clinical data readouts, in various therapeutic areas including oncology, rare diseases, immunology, gene therapies, and CNS.
Prior to joining LifeSci Communications, Jacqueline gained experience in healthcare communications while working within Mission North’s life sciences practice, supporting clients in the biotech and synthetic biology industries. Before joining Mission North, Jacqueline worked at PAN Communications, where she worked across a wide range of clients in the B2B technology space.
Jacqueline received her B.A. in Public Relations with a minor in Spanish from Fairfield University.
Jason Braco, Ph.D.
Account Supervisor / Media Relations Strategist
Jason Braco, Ph.D.
Account Supervisor / Media Relations Strategist
Jason Braco, Ph.D., specializes in developing comprehensive communications programs for high-science companies across stages of development and therapeutic spaces. As an account executive, he leverages his academic background to transform complex science into approachable and captivating narratives that resonate with sophisticated and uninitiated audiences. His work encompasses corporate and scientific messaging, company rebrands, social media, clinical trial recruitment, communications strategy for corporate milestones and media relations.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Jason was a postdoctoral associate at the Yale School of Medicine and received his Ph.D. in biology from Wake Forest University. Throughout his academic career, Jason focused on basic research that spans genetics, cellular signaling, metabolism, neurobiology and behavior.
John Policano
Vice President, Web Development
John Policano
Vice President, Web Development
John is the Vice President of Web Development at LifeSci Communications. He has been designing and coding in the interactive space since 1996.
John spent the early part of his career working as a designer/flash developer at Arnold Worldwide where he became an Associate Creative Director. While working at Arnold, John found time to write and publish a book, Flash 5 Primer, which is about designing and programming in Flash.
John has a passion for the whole process and will often switch hats to help the team in any way necessary to deliver a great end product for a client. Through John’s career he has completed projects for Fidelity, Royal Caribbean, Sony, Mercedes, GlaxoSmithkline, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Novartis, to name a few.
John graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Seton Hall University.
Jonathan McWilliam
Senior Web Developer
Jonathan McWilliam
Senior Web Developer
Jonathan is a Senior Web Developer at LifeSci Communications. Jonathan previously worked as a Team Lead of Web Development at Q4. He lead a development team that built websites for public companies such as Honeywell, Robinhood and Kelloggs. Jonathan studied at Juno College of Technology in Toronto, ON. Prior to Web Development, Jonathan worked as a Financial Advisor.
Jonathan Pappas
VP, Media Relations
Jonathan Pappas
VP, Media Relations
Jonathan Pappas is a seasoned PR strategist, media relations specialist and digital marketer with over 16 years of corporate PR agency experience driving high-profile visibility and public awareness campaigns for global brands, publicly traded companies, and entrepreneurs.
His award-winning media relations work has served the interests of large and small life science companies, VC-backed startups and passionate nonprofits.
Recognized for his innate ability to dig deep within an organization, Jonathan builds strong connections with clients to identify and shape authentic, original, and compelling story angles.
He has built extensive, long-standing relationships with members of the national, regional and trade media, achieving consistent coverage in every major news outlet, including AP, Bloomberg, Boston Globe, CNBC, CNN, Economist, Fast Company, Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, Governing, NBC News, The New York Times, Reuters, TIME Magazine, TODAY Show, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and WIRED Magazine – among many others.
As a former local community news reporter, he understands media relations from both sides of the news desk. An expert in thought leadership positioning, he has ghostwritten articles featured in The New York Times, Fortune, Huffington Post, Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine and Success Magazine.
Jordyn Temperato
Senior Account Executive
Jordyn Temperato
Senior Account Executive
Jordyn Temperato is a Senior Account Executive at LifeSci Communications. At LifeSci, Jordyn leverages her broad experience to help lead numerous communications initiatives including, media outreach, social media campaigns and messaging development for life science companies representing a wide variety of therapeutic areas. Prior to joining LifeSci, Jordyn worked at Haymarket Media and PRWeek. There she assisted the editorial and marketing departments by developing articles on leadership and unique consumerism, producing media kits and reporting current events to support varying initiatives. Additionally, Jordyn brings expansive public relations experience in managing social media networks, curating marketing campaigns and creating promotional corporate content. Jordyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina.
Karissa L. Cross, Ph.D.
Senior Account Executive
Karissa L. Cross, Ph.D.
Senior Account Executive
Karissa L. Cross, Ph.D., brings a decade of interdisciplinary scientific research experience to LifeSci Communications, where she specializes in communicating complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences for biotech and healthcare companies across various fields and stages of development. Karissa has served clients across cell and gene therapy, oncology, rare disease, women’s health, and neuroscience to execute their external communications needs, including scientific messaging, corporate communications, social media and media relations, with an eye to scientific accuracy and audience-appropriate tone.
Prior to joining LifeSci Communications, Karissa completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Vanderbilt University, where she received a prestigious National Science Foundation award to investigate the complex evolutionary relationship between host genetics, the microbiome, and the emergence of new species. During her graduate work conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Karissa studied the human microbiome and how it influences oral health and systemic diseases. She has published twelve peer-reviewed scientific publications and has presented her findings at national and international conferences. Karissa also holds a Certificate in College Teaching from Vanderbilt University.
Karissa completed her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from North Carolina State University and her Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville.
Kendy Guarinoni, Ph.D.
Account Executive
Kendy Guarinoni, Ph.D.
Account Executive
Kendy is an Account Executive at LifeSci Communications with a background in biology, theoretical chemistry, and pharmacology. Prior to joining LifeSci Communications, Kendy performed her doctoral studies at Duquesne University in theoretical chemistry, where she utilized computational techniques to investigate the structure, dynamics, and interactions of biomolecules necessary for the development of novel therapeutics. The applications of her research spanned from modeling and simulating membrane-bound protein receptors with novel selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to modeling and simulating regions of RNA associated with ALS, frontotemporal dementia, and SARS-CoV-2 to understand structural features in which to target for therapeutics.
She has received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Washington and Jefferson College and Master of Science in Biology from Chatham University.
Kristin Politi, Ph.D.
Director, Media Relations & Messaging
Kristin Politi, Ph.D.
Director, Media Relations & Messaging
Kristin Politi has spent 15 years in scientific research and communications. Kristin specializes in developing and executing creative media relations and corporate communications strategies. Kristin has partnered with companies spanning a broad range of health conditions in the biotech, biopharma, medtech and medical device sectors.
Prior to LifeSci, Kristin spent nearly a decade in the global scientific community as an academic researcher. She is the co-author of nine peer-reviewed publications. She completed her PhD at Columbia University in the Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine Program. Her work and collaborations, at the Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, focused on the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration in ALS. Prior to Columbia, Kristin was a research associate at Abpro, a biotechnology company focused on antibody development.
As an undergraduate, Kristin conducted research in neuroscience and biochemistry at Franklin and Marshall College and at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Franklin and Marshall College.
Lian Galley
Digital Engagement Associate
Lian Galley
Digital Engagement Associate
Lian Galley is a Digital Engagement Associate at LifeSci Communications. At LifeSci, Lian assists in creating content across social media channels, conducting community management efforts, and cultivating social listening analytics reports for clients. Before joining LifeSci, Lian worked at Harvard Medical School, where she helped build webpages and craft social media content for continuing medical education, corporate learning, and postgraduate medical education programs. Lian is passionate about breaking barriers in the healthcare space and improving the patient experience.
Lian received a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Northeastern University.
Luke Shiplo, MBA
Senior Account Executive
Luke Shiplo, MBA
Senior Account Executive
Luke Shiplo, MBA, utilizes his expertise in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries to lead communications programs for clients at various stages of development, with a particular focus on pre-commercial and commercial companies. Luke has experience building business strategies and communications materials while navigating the intricate and highly regulated FDA environment to increase corporate visibility among target audiences.
Luke has a proven track record of assisting clients through various milestones, including series financing rounds, IPOs, clinical trial recruitment, and pre-clinical and clinical data readouts, in various therapeutic area’s including oncology, neurology, rare disease, infectious disease, immunology, and gastroenterology.
Before joining LifeSci, Luke worked in sales and business development in the medical device industry. Additionally, he has an impressive background as a former professional hockey player, which speaks to his exceptional drive and determination.
Luke earned his MBA in business administration and management after receiving his B.S. in biomedical marketing from Quinnipiac University Lender School of Business.
Madelin Hawtin
Associate Media Strategist, Media Relations
Madelin Hawtin
Associate Media Strategist, Media Relations
Madelin Hawtin is a storyteller who puts together engaging narratives that resonate with reporters, creating new opportunities and raise awareness for the companies she works with.
Madelin uses her marketing background to develop creative ideas to gain media attention. She specializes in podcasts, working with hosts and producers to get company leaders on their shows.
Madelin holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.
Maya Romanchuk
Senior Account Executive
Maya Romanchuk
Senior Account Executive
Maya Romanchuk is a Senior Account Executive at LifeSci Communications where she provides strategic support and oversees day-to-day activities for a wide range of biotechnology companies spanning various therapeutic areas and stages of clinical development, with a focus on pre-commercial and commercial entities.
Maya specializes in developing and executing corporate communications programs and materials that drive high-profile visibility to key external stakeholders, including industry peers, investors, healthcare professionals, patients, advocacy organizations, and potential partners.
She leverages her expertise in crafting corporate and scientific messaging, providing support for digital campaigns, and executing strategic media relations initiatives to bolster pivotal company milestones – ranging from FDA approval, product launch and commercialization, clinical data readouts and publications, global strategic partnerships, financing rounds, and more.
Prior to joining LifeSci Communications, Maya interned at Amicus Therapeutics where she gained a broad scope of relevant experience working for both the Global Marketing Team as well as the Patient & Professional Advocacy Team. As a Global Marketing Intern, she worked with HCP Educational and Promotional material to optimize Amicus’ position in the market. As a Patient & Professional Advocacy Intern, she gained valuable experience within the rare disease community working directly with Fabry patients, piloting the company’s very first Fabry Patient Advisory Board. She also conducted a comprehensive competitive analysis of the Gene Therapy Landscape, identifying key differentiators among rare disease organizations involved in gene therapy.
Maya holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University New Brunswick.
Michael Fitzhugh
VP, Chief of Media Strategy
Michael Fitzhugh
VP, Chief of Media Strategy
Michael Fitzhugh is VP, Chief of Media Strategy at LifeSci Communications. As a former journalist, he spent 16 years of covering the biopharma industry, most recently as Managing Editor of BioWorld. There, he led a veteran news team tracking the story of how the world creates, protects, and advances innovations to meet pressing medical needs. He has covered the global business and scientific stories behind new medicines, the ongoing battle against cancer, Alzheimer’s, and more recently COVID-19. Prior to BioWorld, he co-wrote and edited several books covering healthcare technology, regulation, policy, and M&A as part of the San Francisco-based venture capital firm Burrill & Company. He started his career as a technologist at the pioneering computer news and reviews site, CNET.
Michael graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature. He also earned a Master of Journalism degree from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
Michael Rubenstein
Associate Media Relations Strategist
Michael Rubenstein
Associate Media Relations Strategist
Michael Rubenstein is an Associate Media Relations Strategist at LifeSci Communications with strong experience in public relations, social media content development, investor relations, media relations, account management, and digital storytelling.
He has served as reliable account support for clients in the oncology, ophthalmology, med tech, and rare disease therapeutic areas. He previously worked at LaVoieHealthScience and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Emerson College while graduating with honors as a magna cum laude.
Mike Tattory
Associate Director
Mike Tattory
Associate Director
Mike Tattory leverages his expertise in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries to lead communications programs for clients at various stages of development with the goal of increasing company visibility and mindshare among target audiences such as investors, industry experts, and patient groups.
Mike’s career has been marked by his passion for communicating and simplifying complex scientific information for a broader audience. Mike specializes in developing key messages and then implementing them across company platforms to further drive corporate communications efforts. He has successfully led multiple communications programs for clients in various therapeutic spaces such as neurology, cardiology, rare diseases, hematology, immuno-oncology, and infectious diseases.
Prior to joining LifeSci, he worked alongside the marketing teams of large pharmaceutical companies, such as the Novartis Neuroscience brand team, to bolster and refine communications efforts to physicians, consumers, and other businesses.
Mike received his bachelor of science degree in biology from Villanova University.
Mónica Rouco Molina, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Europe and Israel
Mónica Rouco Molina, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Europe and Israel
Mónica is an Associate Director of Europe and Israel at LifeSci Communications. A veterinarian by training with more than a decade of experience in academic research, Mónica specializes in the development and implementation of strategic communications programs for LifeSci’s high science-focused accounts. She works with clinical and pre-clinical stage biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies covering a wide range of disease areas, including oncology, rare diseases, metabolic and infectious diseases.
Mónica leads corporate communications programs for multiple clients, providing support through key milestones including data announcements, leadership appointments, regulatory approvals and financings. She oversees the successful communication of key messages in press releases, corporate and scientific presentations, and proactive media and social media programs. Monica has also successfully led complete corporate rebrands for several clients. Utilizing her strong scientific expertise, Mónica supports the firm’s mechanism of action (MOA) projects, including story development and communication through a variety of creative assets.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Mónica was the assistant director of the K=1 Project at Columbia University, where she acted as liaison to communicate scientific results and programmatic ideas while overseeing the establishment of scientific and financial partnerships. Previously, Mónica held a lecturer position at Columbia University and completed two postdoctoral positions at Columbia University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where her research focused on the field of microbiology and genomics. Monica has authored nearly 30 peer-reviewed publications. Throughout her years in academic research, Mónica worked passionately on the translation of sophisticated science to diverse audiences, developing numerous science outreach programs.
Mónica earned her Ph.D. at University Complutense of Madrid, Spain, and holds a bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine (DVM equivalent) from the same university.
Nick Ambrosi
Graphic Designer
Nick Ambrosi
Graphic Designer
Nick Ambrosi is a Designer at LifeSci Communications. In this role, Nick is dedicated to supporting the creative team in designing websites, contributing to social media content, and executing animations for clients.
Before joining full-time, Nick was a creative intern for LifeSci. He worked closely with the team to help create and edit branded print, digital, and video assets.
Nick holds a B.F.A. in Communication Design from Pratt Institute.
Olivia Vizier
Senior Graphic Designer
Olivia Vizier
Senior Graphic Designer
At LifeSci, Olivia works on the creative team as a Senior Graphic Designer, supporting a variety of client’s visionary needs.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Olivia worked at an advertising agency in Dublin, Ireland. In this role, she managed the on-going strategy of campaigns and budgets, creative pitches, worked with the design team to curate engaging marketing materials, event planning and collaborated with key social media influencers.
Olivia earned her bachelor of arts degree in Multinational Business from Nicholls State University and her master’s degree in Digital Marketing from Dublin City University.
Owen Blaschak
Senior Account Executive
Owen Blaschak
Senior Account Executive
Owen Blaschak is an Senior Account Executive at LifeSci Communications.
At LifeSci, Owen works with clients in oncology, immunology, regenerative medicine, and several other therapeutics areas, to strategically communicate value with external audiences including investors, industry peers, patients, advocates, and healthcare professionals. Having navigated the planning and execution of announcements around private biotech financings, clinical data readouts, global strategic partnerships, and FDA approvals, Owen can guide corporate communications programs from early preclinical development through product commercialization.
Before joining LifeSci, Owen worked as an Operations Contractor with KPMG. In that role, Owen created communication materials and worked with a team to further develop centralized communication and release management processes.
Owen studied biology at Susquehanna University, where he researched the synthesis and anticancer potential of an organic compound and its derivatives. He then earned a master’s degree in management and organizational leadership from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, where he focused on strategic communications, management strategy, and finance.
Rachel Meyer
Senior Associate, Digital Engagement
Rachel Meyer
Senior Associate, Digital Engagement
Rachel Meyer uses her breadth of training in strategic communications to build purposeful strategy, develop social media content and amplify company messaging. She utilizes her expertise to translate scientific messaging for a range of external audiences across oncology, infectious disease and genetic medicine companies, among others.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Rachel worked with Essential Creative Group as the Digital Marketing & Account Manager. There she gained experience in social media content creation and media management. Rachel also served as an intern at LifeSci before joining the team full-time.
Rachel holds a B.A. in Digital Technology & Emerging Media as well as an M.A. in Public Media with a concentration in Strategic Communication, both from Fordham University.
Rachel Waters
Copy Supervisor
Rachel Waters
Copy Supervisor
Rachel is the Copy Supervisor at LifeSci Communications. With more than a decade of communications experience and a lifelong passion for medicine and life sciences, Rachel has been instrumental in shaping the public image of nonprofit organizations like The Lung Cancer Research Foundation, The Doe Fund, YAI, and others. Most recently, she was the Director of Communications at URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, where she led brand strategy and developed campaigns across earned and paid media platforms to educate the public about the importance of reproductive and gender-affirming health services.
Throughout her career as a writer, Rachel’s work has been featured in more than 30 national publications including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic.
Rachel holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from The New School and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Augusta State University.
Sky Striar
Associate Director
Sky Striar
Associate Director
Sky brings experience driving organizations within the life sciences space toward their corporate, product and internal communications goals. With a background in client service, she works with companies to ensure all communications campaigns tell a story that will resonate with their intended audiences.
Prior to joining LifeSci Communications, Sky worked at JPA Health, where she specialized in preparing markets for the launch and commercialization of innovative therapies for clinically underserved diseases. There, she served as a liaison between biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, the media, patients and advocacy organizations to drive public relations programs resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes, such as disease education and increased awareness of treatment options.
Sky has been an integral part of many initiatives for companies across the health care landscape, including AstraZeneca, National Institutes of Health, and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
Sky earned a B.A in journalism, with an emphasis in public relations and strategic communication, from Indiana University.
Vas Bitsas
Supervisor, Paid Media
Vas Bitsas
Supervisor, Paid Media
Vas Bitsas is the Paid Media Supervisor at LifeSci Communications.
Vas has five years professional experience working in paid media across various industries including: broadcast television, news and media, real-estate, healthcare and automotive. Here at LifeSci, she is responsible for all paid media efforts for clients across social, search, and programmatic. She works closely with internal teams on campaign execution, optimizations, and campaign analysis to ensure client goals are being achieved.
Prior to joining LifeSci, Vas was the Social Media Supervisor at an LA-based agency leading paid social and influencer campaigns for both Hyundai and Genesis brands.
She is a graduate of Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA and holds a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Communications.
Veronica Eames
Senior Account Executive
Veronica Eames
Senior Account Executive
Veronica Eames is an account executive at LifeSci Communications where she supports corporate communications program development and implementation for clients spanning from preclinical to commercial stages. She has worked with a variety of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medtech companies focused on a wide range of therapeutic areas including oncology, rare diseases, GI disorders and infectious diseases.
Veronica has aided in planning communications initiatives around key regulatory and clinical milestones, as well as supported larger corporate strategy development. She has led the development of social media campaigns to help clients establish a strong social media presence and brand voice. Veronica has also supported the execution of strategic media relations campaigns designed to increase corporate and executive visibility in front of target audiences including investors, patients, HCPs and potential partners.
Prior to joining LifeSci Communications, Veronica gained clinical experience at Franciscan Children’s Hospital on the adolescent inpatient unit, where she helped children in psychiatric crisis achieve stability. She also conducted research during her undergraduate career focused on the effects of diet on learning behavior and neurogenesis.
Veronica holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience from Colgate University.
Walid Elshahed
Senior Frontend Developer
Walid Elshahed
Senior Frontend Developer
As Senior Frontend Developer, Walid is focused on creating compelling digital experiences. By working closely with the design team, Walid helps bring each website design to life with the best user experience (UX) in mind. Every project is an opportunity to create something distinctive, effective, and strategic.
Walid’s personal mission is to make complex technology simple and easy to use through rigorous user research and interaction design. His experience comes from years of solving a variety of web development challenges throughout his career as Associate Creative Director. Before joining LifeSci Communications, Walid’s experience came from creating solutions for recognizable brands such as BMW, Realogy, the NFL, BD, and Novartis.