Management Team
KAREN TORREJON, Ph.D.
CO-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Karen Torrejon, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, invented the Humonix platform technology in response to an unmet need for a more efficient pathway of drug discovery and development. Dr. Torrejon has been recognized by MIT Technology Review as an Innovator Under 35, the Albany Business review 40 under 40, and has been the recipient of 20+ scientific and technical awards. She holds a Ph.D. from the State University of New York, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, and a BS in Physics & Chemistry from the University at Albany.
FERYAN AHMED, PH.D.
CO-FOUNDER & chief TECHNICAL officer
Dr. Feryan Ahmed, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer, brings 20+ years of pre-clinical drug development experience to Humonix. Prior to Humonix, he worked as a Senior Scientist at Albany Molecular Research Inc. (now Curia Bio) where he supervised multiple medicinal chemistry and drug discovery projects. While at Humonix, Dr. Ahmed helped develop a high-throughput perfusion system and optimized the scaffold fabrication technology. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and a MS from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Board of Directors
THUREIN HTOO, CEO, QLARIS Bio
Thurein Htoo is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Qlaris Bio. Prior to founding Qlaris, he was chief business officer of Qrativ and head of business development and corporate strategy at Novelion, following nearly a decade at Pfizer.
Robert Dempsey, CEO, Asclepix Therapeutics
Robert Dempsey is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Asclepix Therapeutics. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer of TearClear and Global Head of Ophthalmology at Shire.
Barbara Wirostko, CMO, QLARIS bio
Dr. Barbara Wirostko is the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Qlaris Bio, as well as an adjunct professor in Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering at John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah. She previously worked at EyeGate Pharmaceuticals as the Chief Medical Officer, Jade Pharmaceuticals as the Chief Scientific Officer, and Pfizer as a Senior Medical Director in the Ophthalmology division.
CHRISTIE MARKOWITZ, principal, markowitz strategic group
Christie Markowitz is the Principal and Founder of Markowitz Strategic Group. Previously, Ms. Markowitz held commercial leadership roles at Novartis, Takeda, Shire, Endo Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, and Abbott.
Richard Frederick, co-managing director, Eastern New York Angels
Richard Frederick has 40 years of business experience as a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and mentor. He has served as a mentor and coach to over 150 companies in the past 20 years.
KAREN TORREJON, CEO, HUMONIX biosciences
Dr. Karen Torrejon is co-founder and chief executive officer of Humonix Biosciences.
Scientific Advisory Board
W. Daniel Stamer, PhD FARVO
Dr. Daniel Stamer is the Vice Chair of Basic Science Research and Joseph A.C. Wadsworth Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke Eye Center, as well as Former President of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Louis Pasquale, MD FARVO
Dr. Louis Pasquale is the Vice Chair for Research Director of Glaucoma Services at Harvard Medical, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He is also the co-director of Harvard Glaucoma Center of Excellence and has won the Silver Fellow Award, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Patricia D'Amore
Dr. Patricia D’Amore is a Charles L. Schepens Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair for Basic Research and Translational Research at Harvard Medical School, as well as Associate Chief for Ophthalmology Basic and Translational Research at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.
Victor chong
Dr. Victor Chong is retinal specialist with a robust background in basic science, clinical trials, and drug development for major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. He currently serves at Chief Medical Officer at Clearside Biomedical.