Archives: Speakers

Dr. Hirsjärvi has versatile hands-on background in academic pharmaceutical and medical research, covering all areas from drug discovery to formulation, and from pre-clinical evaluation to clinical trials and epidemiology studies. He has worked in Medical Affairs function in pharma companies Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, and AbbVie, and worked with quality and regulatory aspects in B.Braun. He holds a title of associate professor of industrial pharmacy in the University of Helsinki, Finland.

Dr. Wang is an experienced leader in CMC product development within the global biotech space. She has been responsible for analytical development, process development, formulation, and fill and finish of clinical drug products for late-stage biologic programs. With a track record of success, she has effectively managed multiple Contract Drug Manufacturing Organizations worldwide and the supply chain for clinical studies involving 30+ sites. Dr. Wang is currently the Associate Director of Biologics Product Development at Calidi Biotherapeutics, a clinical stage biopharma utilizing stem cell-based platforms to revolutionize oncolytic virotherapies for cancer applications. Dr. Wang is responsible for establishing the CMC strategies and leading the tech transfer, clinical manufacturing, and supply chain with Calidi’s global CDMO network and clinical sites.

Before joining Calidi, Dr. Wang worked as a Senior Manager of product development at Emergent BioSolutions, where she led the technical development of virus-like particles vaccine programs from early to late phases. She has 10+ scientific articles published on her research work on developing various biologic modalities, nanotechnologies, and drug delivery systems. Additionally, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Women in Bio for the SoCal chapter.

Nonna Snider serves as VP, Clinical and Operations at JeniVision Inc. and has over 20 years in pre-clinical and clinical drug development in both Pharmaceutical Industry and Academia in dermatology, oncology, and ophthalmology.  Her career began at Allergan, focusing on drug discovery research, later transitioning to project management in a startup environment, gaining hands-on experience in conducting pre-clinical and clinical research in US, India and Latin America, interfacing with FDA, investigational sites and managing global CROs. Mrs. Snider was also a part of the Clinical Investigations Support Office (CISO) leadership team at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center working within a multidisciplinary team enhancing QA and DSMC programs and was responsible for ensuring safe and compliant implementation of Phase I-III oncology clinical trials conducted at USC.

Krishna is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive with a 20+ year track record in translating benefit-risk for regulatory authorities across diverse therapeutic areas. She led the early development of six successful marketed products and managed 25+ IND/IMPD submissions.

Currently, Krishna serves as the Chief Development Officer at Concarlo Therapeutics, Inc., focusing on a p27 inhibitor and overseeing preclinical R&D, CMC, pipeline strategy and portfolio management, clinical strategy, and regulatory affairs. Previously, she was Vice President and Head of Development Sciences at Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. (now BMS) and served in various leadership roles at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, NGM Biopharmaceuticals, and Genentech. She has also contributed to the American College of Toxicology as a board member. Krishna’s leadership ensures expedited and cost-effective global early development regulatory strategies, making her a trusted figure in the clinical and investment communities.

Krishna is a board-certified toxicologist, with a Postdoctoral Training in Pathology and Developmental Lung Biology from Harvard Medical School, an MS/PhD in Pharmacology/Toxicology from University of California, Davis, and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine equivalent).

Bryan Cornwall, PhD, MBA, PEng is an Academic Scientist with 25+ years experience in the Medical Device Industry. Dr. Cornwall is adjunct faculty at the Surgical Orthopedic Research Laboratory (SORL) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering (SMSE) at the University of San Diego (USD); he is also principle of FEED-Research, a medical device consulting firm.

Bryan Cornwall’s most recent industry role was as Executive Vice President, Research and Clinical Affairs at Surgalign. The company had a global spine implant business and had the first US 510k cleared spine navigation system combining Augmented Reality for enhanced visualization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for intraoperative spine anatomy recognition and autonomous pedicle screw planning. Dr. Cornwall has numerous publications including 25 peer-reviewed journal articles, 26 U.S. patents and eight book chapters.

Christian Urbina, CFP® is President and Chief Investment Officer of Prosperitus Wealth Advisors, a State Registered Investment Advisor.

Mr. Urbina was born in Managua, Nicaragua and fled the poor and war torn country with his family at the age of 4. Raised in South Florida, Mr. Urbina graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, FL in 2000. Following his graduation, Christian enlisted in the United States Army where he graduated as the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) 14 Juliet class.

Following his enlistment, Christian utilized his GI Bill to attend and graduate from The Florida State University with degrees in Finance and in Applied Economics with Specialized Studies in Advanced Economic Analysis.

With a continuing commitment to maintain the highest level of ethics and professionalism for his and his firm’s clientele, Mr. Urbina earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation in 2012 and is currently a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Level 3 candidate.

Mr. Urbina has extensive expertise in many areas of financial planning for individuals, families, and businesses; specializing in dynamic wealth management, income tax, estate, and wealth transfer planning. Mr. Urbina has committed to providing his clients with the highest standard of fiduciary care and excellence.

Nina Holst, Executive Director, is responsible for Strategic Alliance Management of global oversight, delivery, and continuing improvement of appointed ICON Strategic Solutions (ISS) established programs. Nina has the strategic program oversight of the LEO FSP (Functional Service Provision) program delivery.

Nina has more than 20 years’ experience from the sourcing and recruitment industry with the last 15 years focused on the Life Science and CRO industry. With her commercial background, she brings predominantly the strength in developing global business models together with successful clients and passionate teams. Through her executive leadership sha has implemented regional, and global business units, growing, and delivering strategic resourcing business to success through strategic alliance partnerships.

ICON Strategic Solutions is the global leading provider of Functional Service Provision (FSP) services. Through combined functional, operational, and talent expertise, ICON offers FSP models that provide cost-savings, clinical expertise and significantly improve business performance.