Women In Bio-San Diego

Meet our final panelists for our upcoming event, From Science to Startup: Key Insights on Funding, IP, and Strategic Growth, on April 29th. Dr. Sandrine Javorschi-Miller, Pharm.D., Ph.D., is the Principal of Colibrite, a consulting firm supporting life science startups with strategy, business, and operations. She was previously the co-founder, President, and CEO of Micronoma (2019–2023), a cancer diagnostics company using microbiome-based blood tests for early solid tumor detection. From 2017 to 2020, she served as Executive Director of the UC San Diego Center for Microbiome Innovation, enhancing industry-academic partnerships. Before her academic work, Dr. Miller-Montgomery had a strong industry background, holding roles in major biotech companies like Invitrogen, Illumina, Abbott, and Qiagen, as well as startups. She held leadership roles in R&D, sales, and marketing, and played key roles in successful company exits, including Helixis (acquired by Illumina) and MO BIO Labs (acquired by Qiagen). — If you are interested in attending, register here: https://lnkd.in/gu5SbFFz!

Meet our third of four panelists for our upcoming event, From Science to Startup: Key Insights on Funding, IP, and Strategic Growth, on April 29th. Maria V. Stout - an IP attorney at Knobbe Martens and former Naval Officer, is also a professor of law and mechanical engineer. She specializes in strategic IP asset management, including patents, licensing, and innovation protection. Maria has deep technical expertise across various fields such as molecular diagnostics, lab automation, microfluidic technologies, and health IT. She works with a broad range of clients, from startups to global corporations with significant IP portfolios. — If you are interested in attending, register here: https://lnkd.in/gu5SbFFz!

Meet our second of four panelists for our upcoming event, From Science to Startup: Key Insights on Funding, IP, and Strategic Growth, on April 29th. Leah Villegas, PhD, MBA - As Managing Partner at Aquillius Ventures, she leads investment strategy, portfolio management, and deal sourcing for early-stage biotech, medtech, and agtech startups. She also serve as VP at the Aquillius Innovation Hub, overseeing operations, financial planning, and business development. She’s a board member at Microtek, Inc., and holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado Denver and a certificate from VC University. With expertise in investment, data, and SWOT analysis, she’s passionate about supporting scalable, impactful ventures and value collaboration, innovation, diversity, and social responsibility. — If you are interested in attending, register here: https://lnkd.in/gu5SbFFz!

Meet one of four panelists for our upcoming event, From Science to Startup: Key Insights on Funding, IP, and Strategic Growth, on April 29th. Sarah Hibbard — attorney and former in-house general counsel with a passion for helping technology, life sciences, and digital health companies build strong legal foundations and scale with confidence. She brings deep experience from startups to multibillion-dollar companies, with a focus on corporate governance, financings, M&A, IP, and commercial transactions. Sarah also works closely with boards and executives on risk, compliance, and capital strategy. Her industry background spans biotech, medtech, aesthetics, hardware, and XaaS technologies. — If you are interested in attending, register here: https://lnkd.in/gu5SbFFz!

2025 MAPS Peer Groups Kick-Off Parties Please join us in-person (San Diego and Orange County) for the 2025 MAPS Peer Group Cohort kick-off parties. LA MAPS participants are invited to join the San Diego launch event virtually. Both those who have already registered for MAPS and those who are just interested in learning about our Peer Group program are welcome to attend. San Diego Kick-Off Party: May 6th, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m. PT SD Launch Party Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/eY9C4gmN Orange County Kick-Off Party: May 8th, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m. PT OC Launch Party Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/e9JFDWWt LA Virtual Kick-Off Party: May 6th, 2025, 6:30-7:00 p.m. PT LA Virtual Launch Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/eJxVYjiz

Bringing Together Science, Art & Culture! San Diego Women in Bio Volunteers Anabel D., Doha Sleem, Gwen Guzman, Judy Hsia, Mallory Martinez, Patricia Bedard, YWIB Chair, Krithi Rao Bindal, PhD, MBA, and YWIB Ambassador, Lena Peresztegi participated in the annual Barrio Logan Science & Art Expo, Saturday, April 12th. Young and old alike learned how to extract DNA from strawberries using simple household agents like baking soda and rubbing alcohol, then secure the isolated DNA in a small vial to display as a necklace. Visitors also learned about the many traits encoded by the DNA inherited from their parents. Using multicolored beads corresponding to traits such as hair and eye color, left- and right-handedness, they created individualized key chains or bracelets reflecting their unique DNA codes. Letter beads spelling out their initials completed the personalization. The Barrio Logan Science & Art Expo is an inclusive and annual art, science, and culture fair that welcomes families from around southern San Diego to highlight science, art and culture in the world around us!

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for our sponsor, Mintz. Their ongoing generous support helps to ensure that the San Diego chapter can support its members through our many programs and events. Mintz is a litigation powerhouse and business accelerator serving leaders in life sciences, private equity, energy, and technology. The world’s most innovative companies trust Mintz to provide expert advice, protect and monetize their IP, negotiate deals, source financing, and solve complex legal challenges. The firm has 600 attorneys across offices in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, DC, San Francisco, San Diego, and Toronto. To learn more about Mintz, visit: www.mintz.com .

Don’t miss: From Science to Startup: Key Insights on Funding, IP, and Strategic Growth, a panel discussion with Sarah Hibbard, JD, Maria V. Stout, JD, Sandrine Javorschi-Miller, PhD, and Leah Villegas, PhD, MBA, moderated by Debra Robinson, BS, MBA, MPM. Whether you’re a founder, investor, industry professional, or just fascinated by the vibrant San Diego world of innovative tech ventures, this discussion will provide valuable insight into navigation the critical milestones of entrepreneurship. We’ll hear multiple perspectives including life science founder, IP attorney, life science investor, and life science & tech attorney. 📅 April 29, 2025, 5:00-8:00 PM Where: Knobbe Marten 3579 Valley Centre Dr., Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92130 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gu5SbFFz Thank you to our sponsors Stephanie Seidman and Knobbe Martens! #Startups #Funding #WomenEntrepreneurs #Founders #WomeninSTEM

Excited to welcome all RNA-enthusiasts to our “Advancing the Future of Medicine” Panel on May 8! Join our very own Tracy (Cole) Kosman as she welcomes Eileen Blasi, Senior Director of Toxicology at Avidity Biosciences, Inc.; Christine Esau, Group Vice President of Biology at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals; Simone Visosky Ward, Ph.D., J.D.🧬⚖️ , Executive IP Counsel at Arcturus Therapeutics; and Hien Tran Zhao, Executive Director of Neurology Research at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to lead our panel discussion on RNA-Based Therapeutics. Together we will explore the science behind nucleic acid-based medicines, their mechanisms of action, and their expanding impact on healthcare. Learn more about our expert panelists and register here: https://lnkd.in/gH94bKqG Date: Thurs May 8th Time: 5:00-8:30 pm Location: J Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Ln, La Jolla

Spend your Saturday morning, April 12th, with Young Women In Bio at the annual Barrio Logan Science and Art Festival. The event is free and located at Mercado Del Barrio 1900 Main Street, San Diego, CA 92113 from 10am to 2pm. You can register for this event here: https://lnkd.in/gi9-2xae Sign up to volunteer at our YWIB volunteer page: https://lnkd.in/g5k4_q9S. We look forward to seeing you all there!