Meet Our Visionary Leadership Team

Dr. Karen Smith is a highly accomplished life sciences executive with extensive leadership experience across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. She has served as the Global Head of R&D and Chief Medical Officer at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and held senior leadership roles at Allergan, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors at Sangamo Therapeutics (SGMO), Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUPH), Capstan Therapeutics, and Skye Bioscience. She previously served as a director at Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Acceleron Pharma, and Antares Pharma, all of which were acquired. Her expertise spans clinical development, regulatory strategy, and commercialization.

Dr. Javed Butler is President of the Baylor Scott and White Research Institute and a globally recognized leader in cardiovascular medicine. He has authored over 650 peer-reviewed publications and served on numerous steering committees for international clinical trials. Previously, Dr. Butler held prominent roles at Emory University, Stony Brook University, and the University of Mississippi, where he contributed to groundbreaking research in heart failure treatment.

Dr. Sanjiv Shah is the Stone Endowed Professor of Medicine and Director of the HFpEF Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He is a leading expert in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), having authored over 320 peer-reviewed publications and led more than 25 international clinical trials. Dr. Shah’s pioneering research in cardiac mechanics and novel therapeutics has significantly advanced the field.

Dr. Barry Greenberg is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Treatment Program at UC San Diego. He has served on the steering committees of numerous global clinical trials and is a founding Heart Failure Society of America member. His research focuses on the basic mechanisms of heart failure and the development of new therapeutic approaches. With an extensive body of published work, Dr. Greenberg is a highly respected leader in cardiology.

Dr. Arshed Quyyumi is a Co-Director of the Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute and a tenured Professor of Medicine at Emory University. His research focuses on vascular biology, progenitor cells, and biomarkers for cardiovascular disease. With over 250 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Quyyumi’s work bridges laboratory findings and clinical applications to advance treatment for heart disease.

Dr. Daphne Hsu is a Professor of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and one of the nation’s foremost experts in pediatric heart failure and heart transplantation. She is nationally recognized for her leadership in advancing pediatric cardiac care, shaping management strategies for children with complex cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Hsu’s academic contributions and clinical expertise have established her as a respected thought leader in the field of pediatric cardiology.

Dr. Joseph Rossano is Co-Director of the Cardiac Center and Chief of the Division of Cardiology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He holds the Jennifer Terker Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiology and serves as a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Rossano is a leading expert in pediatric heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and heart transplantation. His research focuses on improving outcomes for children with cardiovascular disease, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Steven Lipshultz is Chair of Pediatrics at the University at Buffalo and a leading authority on pediatric cardiomyopathies. His research spans genetic, toxic, and infectious cardiomyopathies, with a focus on improving outcomes for children with cardiovascular diseases. He has authored significant clinical research studies and continues contributing to advancements in pediatric heart health.

Dr. Henrik Rasmussen has over 25 years of experience in biotech and pharmaceutical development, specializing in clinical research and regulatory strategy. He has held senior leadership roles at Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and ZS Pharma, overseeing global development programs and regulatory filings, including INDs, NDAs, and BLAs. Dr. Rasmussen’s expertise spans therapeutic areas such as cardiology, nephrology, and diabetes. With more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, he is a recognized leader in clinical strategy and innovation. Dr. Rasmussen earned his MD and PhD from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Vinny Jindal leads Secretome Therapeutics and has a deep healthcare finance, strategy, and entrepreneurship background. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer at Reneo Pharmaceuticals, successfully guiding the company through its IPO in 2021. As Vice President of Strategy at Reata Pharmaceuticals, Vinny contributed to the commercialization and growth of its therapeutic portfolio. He also served as Entrepreneur-In-Residence at the University of Texas Southwestern, fostering biotech innovation. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles in equity research at ThinkEquity Partners and Wedbush Morgan Securities, specializing in the life sciences sector. Vinny has an M.S. in Pharmacology from Weill Medical College of Cornell University, an M.S. in Endocrinology, and a B.A. in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Sunjay Kaushal is a renowned cardiac surgeon and researcher specializing in heart failure treatments for pediatric and adult patients. He serves as Division Head of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, performing over 200 cardiac surgeries annually. Dr. Kaushal also leads a 10-member postdoctoral research team, supported by NIH funding, focused on developing innovative therapies for severe cardiovascular diseases. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications, he is widely regarded as a leader in translational medicine. Dr. Kaushal earned his MD from Johns Hopkins University and his PhD from Harvard University.

Bill Niland is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of founding and successfully exiting life sciences companies. He founded Harpoon Medical, acquired by Edwards Lifesciences for $100 million upfront, and Vapotherm, a publicly traded company pioneering high-flow nasal cannula therapy. Bill has secured 38 patents throughout his career and played a critical role in developing transformative healthcare innovations. His experience as a founder and leader across multiple sectors brings invaluable insight to Secretome’s strategic direction.

Margot Conner is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare and life sciences industries. She most recently served as CEO and Board Member of RoosterBio, where she led the company through multiple investment rounds and strategic growth initiatives. Over her career, Margot has been involved in over 20 M&A transactions valued at more than $1 billion. Her leadership roles at companies such as Lonza, Unilever, and Chr. Hansen have provided her with extensive expertise in operational execution, corporate development, and strategic planning.