Funding, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships to be Main Focus
February 2, 2004
MaryAnn Guerra, a bioscience executive with extensive experience in research administration, has joined the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) as its Vice President of Research Operations.
"Ms. Guerra brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this critical position," said TGen President Dr. Jeffrey Trent. "Her extensive business management experience, which ranges from basic research to clinical trials execution, will allow her to integrate seamlessly into TGen's many activities, and her leadership skills will play a critical role across multiple areas as TGen matures."
In her new role, Ms. Guerra will oversee all aspects of TGen's research operations, with particular emphasis on securing research funding, and directing those TGen divisions associated with its research partnerships, collaborations and public relations. Ms. Guerra's experience in developing and establishing relationships to transfer technology from the lab into useful products will be essential to accomplishing TGen's core scientific and business objectives. Effective communications of TGen scientific accomplishments, and related education and public awareness of important advancements that improve health will also be a focus of activity.
MaryAnn Guerra
TGen Vice President of Research Operations
"What I like most about this wonderful opportunity is to be involved in an institution that will change the way drugs are designed, accelerate access to effective treatments and create products that truly will improve the health and lives of our friends and family. Not to mention the benefit of moving to a great state where the people understand and support the importance of biotechnology as an important component of drug development," said Ms. Guerra.
Ms. Guerra comes to TGen from the Matthews Media Group, Inc. (MMG), in Rockville, Maryland, where she was Executive Vice President, of the company, overseeing Business Development, Therapeutic Practice Areas, Communications and Public Relations, Human Resource Management and the Client Services Division. At MMG, she helped reorganize the company to become a strategic health communications firm that was research based and results oriented.
From 1994 to 2001, she was Deputy Director for Management at the National Cancer Institute, the federal governments lead agency for cancer research, where she oversaw a budget in excess of four billion dollars and more than five thousand people. Prior to that she held several other senior executive positions at the NIH.
Ms. Guerra holds a BA in Communications from The Ohio State University and an MBA in Science, Innovation and Technology from George Washington University. She is an accomplished speaker who has received multiple professional awards.
TGen's mission is to make and translate genomic discoveries into advances in human health. "Translational genomics research" is a relatively new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project to apply to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurologic disorders, diabetes and other complex diseases.
Media Contact
Galen Perry
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