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DSRTF's New Chief Executive Officer

DSRTF is pleased to announce Dr. Michael Harpold as Chief Executive Officer of DSRTF.   Dr. Harpold has served on DSRTF's Board of Directors for the past year and a half and is the Chair of DSRTF's Science Advisory Board (SAB).  He joins us now as CEO at a time when recent research findings are bringing us closer to our goal of identifying new therapies to improve the cognitive abilities of individuals with Down syndrome and DSRTF’s critical role and leadership in this process continues to increase in importance.

Michael brings more than 30 years experience in biomedical research and business within both academia and the biopharmaceutical industry which has already been a valuable asset to DSRTF.  He developed a stellar SAB, comprised of scientists and physicians who are recognized leaders not only in the field of DS research, but also in closely related biomedical fields, and whose expertise can now be applied to the DS arena.  He recently presided over an extremely productive and energetic inaugural meeting of this highly distinguished group earlier this year. 

DSRTF will now tap into his expertise further as he will, along with the SAB, identify the important and most promising scientific areas for study and the critical processes necessary for treatment identification, development and testing.  In addition, as CEO, Dr. Harpold will be leading development of DSRTF’s strategic plan, its implementation and oversight involving all aspects of the Foundation, including operations, fundraising, and research. Michael’s proactive leadership approach reinforces the DSRTF mission which emphasizes the acceleration of the development of effective new therapeutic strategies focused on cognition for individuals with Down syndrome.

Initially as a DSRTF volunteer advisor on research strategy, and subsequently as a DSRTF Board Member, Michael recognized that there is an extensive array of highly relevant, but under-explored, cutting-edge research opportunities. He quickly became convinced of the promise that such research holds in the DS cognition arena, especially at this point in time.  "I am truly excited to be significantly extending my role with DSRTF in a new full-time position to build on the Foundation’s pioneering efforts and remarkable early success. I am sincerely committed to helping lead DSRTF in a growing and vigorous pursuit of its mission on behalf of all individuals with Down syndrome. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Na’eem Salaam, DSRTF’s Executive Director, DSRTF’s Board of Directors and SAB, and the many dedicated DSRTF volunteers and donors as well as DSRTF-supported researchers and the broader biomedical and Down syndrome communities," said Dr. Harpold.

Dr. Harpold added, “Unquestionably, the recent revolutionary advances in the biomedical sciences, including genomics, neurosciences, as well as drug discovery and development, open unprecedented opportunities to more deeply understand and address cognitive impairment in Down syndrome.  An equally unprecedented comprehensive and coordinated strategy, to proactively identify and facilitate the most promising of these research and development opportunities in parallel, provides a highly effective model to achieve accelerated advances.  I strongly believe that DSRTF, particularly as a venture philanthropy foundation, is uniquely positioned to further develop and implement such a model and strategy focused on cognition in Down syndrome.”

Prior to joining DSRTF,  Dr. Harpold established EnkephaSys, Inc. as a consultant on research, business, and intellectual property issues for pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and biotechnology companies. In addition, Dr. Harpold was a founding member of The Salk Institute Biotechnology/Industrial Associates, Inc. (SIBIA, subsequently SIBIA Neurosciences, Inc.), a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company in La Jolla, CA. There he served, for 17 years, as the company’s Vice President, Research through its IPO and prior to its acquisition by Merck. A distinguished molecular and cellular biologist, Dr. Harpold received his Ph.D. in molecular and developmental biology from Tulane University. He subsequently conducted postdoctoral research in molecular cell biology as a Helen Hay Whitney Fellow at The Rockefeller University in New York. In addition, Dr. Harpold previously was a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry, USC (now Keck) School of Medicine and was Member of the Norris/USC Comprehensive Cancer Center and subsequently held a senior research appointment with La Jolla Biological Laboratories of The Salk Institute. Dr. Harpold’s research has involved diverse problems in molecular biology, biotechnology, and biomedical science, including significant contributions to research in molecular signaling in the nervous system as well as drug discovery primarily focused on disorders of the nervous system. He is the author of numerous scientific research publications and his work has led to 46 issued U.S. patents as well as an extensive set of foreign patents.
  
We are delighted to have Dr. Harpold at the helm of DSRTF at a time when both researchers and the general public are becoming aware that research advances over the next decade will open up new opportunities for people with Down syndrome.