Team

/Team
Team 2019-10-18T10:06:06-04:00

Our Team

We have decades of cumulative experience in healthcare communications, business, clinical medicine and basic science. We have a track record of successfully planning and implementing fully integrated public relations programs for small-, medium- and large-sized public and private healthcare companies. Importantly, we have the deep and longstanding relationships with the editors and journalists of key industry, trade and mass media publications necessary to ensure successful campaigns. This background allows the LifeSci team to communicate with clients, their target audiences and the media with a profound level of sophistication.

The team has had success in multiple clinical and technological fields including oncology, cardiovascular disease, immunology, orphan diseases, RNAi, gene therapy, biologics, antibody-drug conjugates, diagnostics, medical technology and devices and healthcare services among others.

Founding Partner, CEO

Prior to joining LifeSci Public Relations, 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. Before joining Russo Partners, 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. Matt also spent time as a biotechnology equities analyst for an independent research firm. Prior to his time as an analyst, Matt trained and taught at top institutions with many years of clinical experience practicing in multiple fields, including surgery and anesthesiology, as well as conducting research in immunology and oncology at the NIH and Mount Sinai. 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.

President

Maureen Franco is a healthcare marketing veteran with deep industry experience from her time on both the client and agency sides of the business. Prior to joining LifeSci Maureen was CEO of Cambridge BioMarketing, the leading communications agency in the rare disease space. Under her leadership the agency executed innovative commercial programs, transformed patient and healthcare provider communications and managed the global launch of over 10 orphan products. Prior to this she spent 12 years at Genzyme, now a Sanofi company, in the cardiorenal and rare disease divisions where she held a number of executive leadership roles in product marketing, commercial development, and global brand management. Maureen began her career in healthcare public relations and pharmaceutical advertising. Her work has been focused on the intersection of high science and strategic communications with the patient always in the center. She holds a bachelor of science degree in management and marketing from Boston College.

Executive Vice President, Director of Media Relations

Drew Levinson is an Executive Vice President, Director of Media Relations at LifeSci Public Relations. Drew spent 25 years working in public relations and journalism providing clients with media strategy, crisis and reputation counsel.

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 is capable of leveraging his extensive media relationships to position clients with influential top tier television, print and online media outlets.

Drew graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Peace, War and Defense.

Associate Director

Sara Zelkovic is an Associate Director at LifeSci Public Relations. Sara has experience planning and implementing public relations and media relations campaigns for global pharmaceutical and emerging life sciences companies, including Sanofi Genzyme, PTC Therapeutics, Novo Nordisk and Depomed.

Prior to joining LifeSci, Sara was an account supervisor at Berry & Company, a public relations firm focused on healthcare and life science communications. At Berry & Company, Sara provided strategic and executional support for communications programs for clients across a broad range of sectors, including oncology, medical devices, neurology, specialty pharmaceuticals and rare diseases. She also led numerous media relations campaigns targeting patient, clinician and investor audiences.

Prior to working at Berry & Company, Sara worked at healthcare agencies including Grey Healthcare Group and IOMEDIA.

Sara holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies from Fordham University.

Associate Director

Andrew Mielach is an Associate Director at LifeSci Public Relations and has more than 10 years of life sciences communications experience, specializing in providing strategic counsel for companies at various stages of development.

Prior to 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. As a lead on Tiberend’s media relations team, Andrew has secured coverage in a variety of highly-influential business, industry and consumer media. Andrew was also an account executive at Rx Mosaic Health and worked on product visibility campaigns for Sepracor and Teva Neuroscience.

Andrew received his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Seton Hall University.

Account Supervisor

Alison Chen is an account supervisor at LifeSci Public Relations. She is an experienced healthcare communications professional who has worked across public relations, investor relations and corporate strategy to help life science clients solve complex communications challenges.

Prior to joining LifeSci Public Relations, Alison was a senior account executive at LaVoieHealthScience (LHS), an integrated communications agency focused on the health and life science industry. At LHS, she developed relationships with key industry journalists and managed comprehensive communication activities for her clients in various areas including immuno-oncology, CNS, rare genetic diseases, orthopedics, and digital health solutions. Prior to working at LHS, Alison worked at global PR agencies including SHIFT Communications and Fleishman-Hillard.

Alison holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public relations. She is bilingual in English and Chinese.

Account Supervisor

Todd Davenport is an Account Supervisor at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Todd was a senior account executive at Russo Partners where he developed and implemented strategic communication programs for biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Previously, Todd was a sell-side biotechnology associate analyst at Bear Sterns. Prior to Bear, Todd was a science consultant to product liability attorneys at Chadbourne and Parke. Todd was also an adjunct professor of biology at St. Petersburg College. Todd earned his Ph.D. in Genetics and Development from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Rollins College.

Account Supervisor

Josephine Belluardo is an Senior Account Executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Jo received her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Weill Cornell Medicine. While at Weill Cornell, Jo performed academic research in a lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where she gained expertise in many fields, including neuroscience, gastroenterology, developmental biology, and genetics. She also worked in the Cornell Center for Technology Licensing where she determined the patentability of inventions and tracked current trends in all areas of the life sciences. Jo had previously conducted neuroscience research in labs at Princeton University and Rutgers University. She received her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Colgate University.

Account Supervisor

Gloria Gasaatura is an Account Supervisor at LifeSci Public Relations and has almost a decade of healthcare communications experience.

Prior to joining LifeSci, Gloria was with Lazar Partners, where she led strategic corporate communications and public relations programs for emerging life sciences companies. Her expertise span physician awareness initiatives, data and regulatory milestones, patient advocacy group engagement, social media campaigns and disease awareness programs.

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, neurology, orthopedics, respiratory, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, hematology and inflammation. Some of her clients included Medtronic, Neural Analytics and United Orthopedics Corporation. She holds a M.S in Public Relations and Corporate Communication from New York University.

Account Supervisor

Dr. Cherilyn Cecchini is an Account Supervisor at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Dr. Cecchini completed residency training in pediatrics at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. Her research focus was end-of-life care communications. Prior to residency, Dr. Cecchini obtained her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College (formerly Jefferson Medical College) in Philadelphia, Pa. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from The Pennsylvania State University.

Senior Account Executive

Darren Opland is an account executive at LifeSci Public Relations with over 15 years of experience in biomedical research. Immediately prior to joining LifeSci, Darren worked in the Psychiatry Department at Yale University where he utilized a variety of techniques ranging from cell and molecular studies to behavioral testing to investigate the neural encoding of reward and aversion. These studies have direct application to models of eating disorders and depression. Over the years he has also studied obesity, other psychiatric illnesses and vascular complications in diabetes and has collaborated extensively with both domestic and international researchers. Darren holds a Bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan.

Senior Account Executive

Cait Williamson is an account executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Cait received her Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience from Columbia University, where her research focused on the neurobiological and neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating group social behavior. Through this work, she gained advanced expertise in genomics, epigenetics, social network analytics and disorders of social behavior. Prior to beginning her Ph.D., she worked in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University investigating novel treatments for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. She received her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and behavior from Columbia University.

Account Executive

Amy Jobe is an account executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, she completed a Ph.D. in biological sciences as well as a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University in a Nobel Prize winning laboratory. Her work employed electron microscopy to study the detailed three-dimensional structure of the ribosome, the cellular machine that makes proteins in all forms of life. Combined with pre-doctoral research experience, Amy is knowledgeable in the areas of structural biology, biochemistry, genetics, and epigenetics. Amy also spent time as an instructor in Columbia’s Summer Health Professions Education Program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Cornell University.

Account Executive

Kirsten Frazer is an account executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, she completed a Ph.D. in behavioral sciences from Columbia University, where she focused on the effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and behavior and gained expertise in neuropsychopharmacology, neuropsychology and cognitive psychology. Prior to completing her Ph.D., Kirsten worked in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University investigating novel treatments for cocaine and opioid dependence. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Connecticut College.

Account Executive

Mónica Rouco Molina is an account executive at LifeSci Public Relations. She has more than a decade of science research and communication experience, having worked at research institutions in the U.S., England, and Spain. Before joining LifeSci Public Relations, 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 establishment of scientific and financial partnerships. Prior to that, Mónica held a lecturer position at Columbia University and completed two postdoctoral positions at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Columbia University, 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 from the same university.

Account Executive

Meredith Sosulski, Ph.D., is an account executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, she was a postdoctoral fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College in genetic medicine where she worked to develop an adeno-associated viral vector gene therapy to prevent emphysema. Before Cornell, Meredith completed her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences at Tulane University School of Medicine researching the role of anti-aging regulators in pulmonary fibrosis. Her research experience has included work within the fields of microbiology, gene therapy, pulmonary medicine, fibrosis and mitochondrial dynamics. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and anthropological perspectives from Binghamton University.

Account Executive

Karen O’Shea is an Account Executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Karen received her Ph.D. in nutritional biochemistry and metabolism from Case Western Reserve University. While at Case Western, Karen performed academic research in a lab studying the effect of nutrition on the progression of heart failure. She then worked in the Diabetes Research Program at New York University as a postdoctoral fellow where she investigated diabetic complications in the heart and vasculature. From there, she worked as a senior scientist at Myologica, a contract research and consulting organization focused on neuromuscular research. She received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition science from Syracuse University.

Account Executive

Mike Tattory is an Account Executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Mike was an account coordinator at ETHOS Health Communications where he worked in medical marketing. There, he supported advisory boards, competitive readiness, medical congress efforts and KOL engagement while working alongside clients such as Novartis’s neuroscience brand team. Mike graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor of science degree in biology.

Account Executive

Grace Fotiades is an Account Executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Grace worked with the Camp Harbor View and Connors Family Office strengthening the nonprofit’s social media presence and launching an awareness campaign. At Camp Harbor View, she also helped organize Boston’s largest fundraiser, raising over eight million dollars annually for inner city children. Grace holds a B.A. in communications and economics from Villanova University

Account Executive

Kristin DeMauro is an Account Executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Kristin worked at Cohn & Wolfe and Ruder Finn where she handled large pharmaceutical and biotech brands focusing on unbranded disease and treatment awareness campaigns in support of Alkermes’ VIVITROL, AstraZeneca’s FARXIGA, and Alcon’s LenSx Laser. Kristin graduated from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations.

Assistant Account Executive

Maeve Cowley is an Assistant Account Executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Maeve was a public relations and communications coordinator at Entertainment Weekly where she handled media relations, oversaw media reports monitoring EW’s online reputation, prepared staff reporters for broadcast appearances anddrafted the weekly issue press releases. Maeve holds a B.A. in strategic communications from Elon University where she was a leader on the Division 1 lacrosse team.

Assistant Account Executive

Veronica Eames is an Assistant Account Executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, Veronica gained clinical experience working at Franciscan Children’s Hospital on the inpatient unit, where she helped adolescents in psychiatric crisis achieve stability by preventing harmful and suicidal behaviors. She also conducted research during her undergraduate career focused on the effects of diet on learning behavior and neurogenesis. Veronica received a bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience from Colgate University.

Assistant Account Executive

Madeline Joanis is an Assistant Account Executive as LifeSci Public Relations. Prior to joining LifeSci, she worked at the Alliance for Quality Education in Albany, NY. There she focused on developing the nonprofit’s social media accounts and reported on current events related to their mission. Madeline also brings valuable volunteer and leadership experience from her sorority where she helped raise over $30,000 for the St. Jude Hospital. In her senior capstone project, her team designed and manufactured a modified needle for initial cavity entry during laparoscopic surgery. Madeline graduated from Union College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Media Relations

Executive Vice President, Director of Media Relations

Drew Levinson is an Executive Vice President, Director of Media Relations at LifeSci Public Relations. Drew spent 25 years working in public relations and journalism providing clients with media strategy, crisis and reputation counsel.

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 is capable of leveraging his extensive media relationships to position clients with influential top tier television, print and online media outlets.

Drew graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Peace, War and Defense.

Senior Account Executive, Media Relations and Messaging Strategist

Kristin Politi is an account executive at LifeSci Public Relations. Politi has nearly a decade of experience in the global scientific community as an academic researcher. Most recently 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, Politi was a research associate at Abpro, a biotechnology company focused on antibody development. As an undergraduate, Politi 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.

Media Relations Strategist

Kelly Wakelee is a media relations strategist at LifeSci Public Relations. Kelly leverages her extensive journalism background to help clients foster meaningful relationships with media outlets that target consumers, clinicians and investors.

Prior to joining LifeSci, Kelly was a senior account executive at Berry & Company Public Relations where she worked with medical device, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to proactively identify story angles relevant to reporters and their audience. She also worked closely with patient advocacy groups to position patients and caregivers to offer perspectives on the burden of a disease and opportunities to improve quality of care.

Kelly was a television news producer and it was her job to determine which stories to include in the daily newscasts and she prepared on-air copy for anchors and reporters. During her time at television stations in Florida and North Carolina, Kelly worked with dozens of medical centers and clinicians to help audiences better understand the latest developments in healthcare.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in television-radio video production from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications.

Social Media

Director, Social and Digital Media Division

Jessica Snider is the Director of Social and Digital Media at LifeSci Public Relations. 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.

Prior to joining LifeSci, she led a team as Associate Director of Social Media at Intouch Solutions, a marketing and advertising agency specializing in healthcare. She has created branded, unbranded, clinical trial recruitment and influencer campaigns for multiple top pharmaceutical companies and has worked across areas including immune disorders, oncology, neurological diseases, rare diseases, metabolic diseases and medical devices.

Jessica holds 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.

Social Media Manager

Jacqueline Farnese is the Social Media Manager at LifeSci Public Relations.

Prior to joining LifeSci, Jacki worked at Octapharma, a biopharmaceutical human protein manufacturing company. During her time at Octapharma, Jacki launched and managed multiple branded, unbranded and corporate communication social media and digital marketing campaigns. She has worked across various areas, including immunology, hematology and critical care.

Jacki holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees: Biology and Visual Art from Rutgers University. She also has a certification in Graphic Design from Parsons School of Design and more than five years of experience in content creation for digital and social media initiatives.

Creative

Creative Director

Vicki is the Creative Director of LifeSci Public Relations with over a decade of creative leadership and brand-building experience. Throughout her career, she has lead creative campaigns within the HCP, managed markets, and promotional arenas. During this time, she has gained an extensive background in building integrated solutions for her clients including Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead, Pacira, Regeneron and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. 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.

Social Media Manager

Jacqueline Farnese is the Social Media Manager at LifeSci Public Relations.

Prior to joining LifeSci, Jacki worked at Octapharma, a biopharmaceutical human protein manufacturing company. During her time at Octapharma, Jacki launched and managed multiple branded, unbranded and corporate communication social media and digital marketing campaigns. She has worked across various areas, including immunology, hematology and critical care.

Jacki holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees: Biology and Visual Art from Rutgers University. She also has a certification in Graphic Design from Parsons School of Design and more than five years of experience in content creation for digital and social media initiatives.

Business Development

Vice President of Business Development

Daniel Perlmutter, Vice President of Business Development Dan is Vice President of Business development at LifeSci Public Relations 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 their 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 BA in English.