Our People

Jnana is building the first drug discovery platform targeting the solute carrier (SLC) family of metabolite transporters. We are comprehensively interrogating SLCs, so that we can transform our knowledge into new therapeutics for patients who lack viable treatment options. Jnana is a Sanskrit word meaning wisdom gained through experience, and it is a concept that threads through our daily work. From our thoughtful, rigorous approach to drug development to our dedication to building a legacy of healthy people and happy families, we are guided by a deep sense of purpose.

MEET OUR TEAM

We are building a company where all employees aspire to empower each other and to work together to make breakthrough medicines.

Giovanni Muncipinto
Principal Scientist, Chemist

“Everyone here is extremely collaborative. They’ve inspired me to go beyond my limits when undertaking new challenges, so we can provide patients with newer, safer treatment options.”

Christina Campagna
Biology Research Associate

“The science here is compelling. We don’t know the answers — and that’s a big challenge — but that’s what makes Jnana so exciting.”

Nick Last
Scientist II

“Coming from a physics background, I’ve always been fascinated by the way things work. I feel that my purpose at Jnana is to help expand the knowledge of SLC transporters to help those in need.”

Mary Larrabee
Office Manager

“Jnana has an amazing group of people who are passionate about what they do. Everyone is driven to accomplish a single goal with a ‘go-getter’ attitude.”

Christina Westgate
Research Associate

“The culture here is so uniquely collaborative, passionate and inspiring. Everyone is dedicated to find treatments to help patients.”

Joel Barrish
Chief Scientific Officer

“Jnana provides the opportunity to work for patients on such a rich class of druggable targets, which is both exciting and humbling.”

Jaclyn Henderson
Associate Director

“I enjoy the opportunity to think differently about neurological diseases. I’m constantly learning from the team and working together to solve problems.”

Justin Rettenmaier
Principal Scientist, Biochemistry

“We wash dishes together — there’s no such thing as managers and subordinates, we have teams with co-leaders. Everyone is pulling their own weight.”

Matt Labenski
Associate Director of Proteomics

“I’m inspired by this challenging journey to build novel platforms for patients and their families who are in desperate need of treatments to improve their quality of life.”

Lara Gechijian
Scientist

“What I love about Jnana is that it has a unique environment where people from different scientific and business backgrounds come together to solve complex, biological questions to make a difference in the lives of patients.”

Edyta Tyminski
Sr. Scientist

“I feel that many of us here have something in common — we’re not afraid of stepping out from our comfort zone to do something new, different, unproven or unfamiliar and we all enjoy every bit of that journey.”

Andrew Allen
Associate Scientist

“I am inspired daily by a Santiago Ramon y Cajal quote, which evokes our purpose at Jnana: ‘It is important to realize that if certain areas of science appear to be quite mature, others are in the process of development, and yet others remain to be born.’”

Chloe Deshusses
Research Associate

“I see my purpose at Jnana as an innovator. We discuss questions that need answers, and then my team and I design and carry out the experiments that will produce data to help us answer the questions.”

Heather Blanchette
Executive Director, Preclinical Development

“Everyone is passionate about developing therapies in disease areas with tremendous unmet need. To be able to do what you love with such a high energy, devoted group of talented scientists? There’s nothing better!”

Dan Van Kalken
Associate Scientist

“Jnana is filled with a tight knit group of the most innovative and inspiring group of scientists who are all driving towards the same goal of delivering novel therapies to patients in need.”

John Malona
Principal Scientist, Chemistry

“We all have had family and friends afflicted by disease, and seeing firsthand the shortcomings of even the most current therapeutic options reassures what we’re doing here is necessary and will be valued by patients who struggle to find relief.”

Diana Lee
Associate Scientist

“Having met some of the individuals affected by rare diseases, I love how Jnana has a unique platform that focuses on SLCs, which might hold the key to future medicine for many untreatable diseases.”

Jeannie Li
Principal Scientist

“Jnana allows me to tackle challenging problems, gain a deeper understanding of SLCs and their roles in disease biology, and develop new treatment options for unmet medical needs.”

Lea Rosskamp
Research Associate II

“I love coming to work every day because I am inspired by the people I work with and the science. I’m motivated to help develop medicine that will one day improve the lives of patients.”

Rob Mathis
Scientist

“Jnana is filled with enthusiastic, driven individuals who strongly value each other. This is a place where you can comfortably take risks and grow.”

Lyn Jones, Ph.D.
Vice President, Chemistry and Chemical Biology

“It’s an absolute privilege to develop therapeutic SLC modulators with such a talented group of scientists.”

Joanne Kotz, Ph.D.
President and CEO

“I am inspired each day by the Jnana team, who each bring tremendous energy to our shared mission of developing new medicines for patients.”

LEADERSHIP

Joanne Kotz, Ph.D.

Cofounder, President and CEO

Joanne Kotz, Ph.D.

Cofounder, President and CEO

Joanne has broad life sciences experience in research, business and operations. She helped formulate the initial scientific strategy for Jnana and has led the business and operations of the company since its launch. Prior to Jnana, she was assistant director of the F-Prime Biomedical Research Initiative, whose mission is to advance the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease by funding early-stage research in academia and biotech companies. Before F-Prime, Joanne was a director at the Broad Institute, where she held a leadership role in creating and guiding partnerships to advance drug discovery efforts, including the Broad-Bayer collaboration in oncology that resulted in the identification of multiple drug candidates. At Broad, Joanne also developed a model for rare disease research that directly involved patients in the research team. Joanne received her doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley and bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of Florida. She conducted her postdoctoral research at the Necker Children’s Hospital in Paris and Genentech. Following Genentech, she was at Nature Publishing Group, including as founding editor of the journal Nature Chemical Biology.

Joel Barrish, Ph.D.

Cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer

Joel Barrish, Ph.D.

Cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer

Joel came to Jnana from Achillion Pharmaceuticals, where he served as their chief scientific officer. Most of Joel’s career was spent as a medicinal chemist in pharma, where he capped a 28-year career at Bristol-Myers Squibb by spending the last five years as vice president and head of discovery chemistry, working across all therapeutic areas. In that role, Joel worked with teams responsible for advancing more than 40 compounds into clinical development, including Sprycel (dasatinib), which he co-invented. While at BMS, Joel and his colleagues made notable advances in the area of kinase inhibitor drug discovery, particularly in immunology and oncology. He is a co-author on over 130 peer reviewed publications and is a co-inventor on 40 issued U.S. patents. Prior to moving to BMS, he spent five years at Hoffmann La-Roche as a research scientist. Joel received his doctorate in organic chemistry from Columbia University and his bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.

Lyn Jones, Ph.D.

Vice President, Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Lyn Jones, Ph.D.

Vice President, Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Lyn joined Jnana from Pfizer, where he led medicinal chemistry teams and chemical biology efforts across multiple disease indications. Lyn joined Pfizer’s Sandwich, UK site in 2001 as a medicinal chemistry team leader focusing on pulmonary and anti-infective diseases. In 2011, Lyn moved to the Cambridge, Mass. site to become head of rare disease chemistry and to lead the Chemical Biology Group, where he focused on developing novel technologies for target discovery and target engagement. He is an author or inventor on over 100 publications and patents, and in 2009 won the inaugural Royal Society of Chemistry Young Industrialist of the Year Award for his contributions to HIV and COPD research and clinical candidate delivery. Lyn received his bachelor’s in chemistry and completed his doctorate in synthetic organic chemistry at the University of Nottingham before starting postdoctoral research at The Scripps Research Institute in chemical biology.

Heather Blanchette, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Preclinical Development

Heather Blanchette, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Preclinical Development

Heather brings over 18 years of drug discovery experience to Jnana working in pharma and biotech on pre-clinical and clinical development programs. Prior to Jnana, Heather served as director of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics at Nimbus Therapeutics focusing on immunology, oncology and metabolic disease. She was a member of the clinical group working on Nimbus’ allosteric ACC inhibitor for NASH, as well as the preclinical team advancing their TYK2 allosteric inhibitor and STING discovery programs. Prior to Nimbus, Heather led the DMPK group at Cubist Pharmaceuticals, a position in which she served from 2010 until the company’s acquisition by Merck in 2015. In her time at Cubist, Heather’s work focused on acute care therapies for pain and antibiotics developed for the treatment of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including the clinical development of programs including Cubicin, and Zerbaxa and more. Heather received her bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of New Hampshire and doctorate in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Oregon prior to joining the pharmaceutical industry.

Ken DiPietro

Senior Advisor

Ken DiPietro

Senior Advisor

Ken brings deep expertise in building company leadership and culture to Jnana. Ken was previously at Biogen, where he served as chief human resources officer from 2012–2017. From 2005 to 2011, Ken served as senior vice president of human resources at Lenovo Group. Prior to Lenovo, he served as corporate vice president of human resources at Microsoft Corporation, vice president of human resources at Dell Inc. and spent 17 years at PepsiCo, serving in a range of human resource positions within the company’s beverage, snack food and corporate groups. Ken serves on the board of directors of InVivo Therapeutics Corporation, as well the Posse Foundation’s Boston Advisory Board. Ken received his bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.

ACADEMIC FOUNDERS

Stuart Schreiber, Ph.D.

Founder

Stuart Schreiber, Ph.D.

Founder

Stuart is a Morris Loeb professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has been a founding core member of the Broad Institute since 2003. Stuart is a world leader in chemical biology, using small molecules as probes in uncovering biological functions. He has provided some of the most significant small-molecule-based advances, including small-molecule probes of extremely difficult targets and processes (e.g., transcription factors, oncogenes, protein/protein interactions, transdifferentiation of cells) that are at the root of human disease. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Virginia and his doctorate in organic chemistry from Harvard University.

Ramnik Xavier, M.D., Ph.D.

Founder

Ramnik Xavier, M.D., Ph.D.

Founder

Ramnik is a core institute member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and a co-director of the Broad’s Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program. Ramnik is also the Kurt Isselbacher professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, director of the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, a member of the Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and co-director of the Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics at MIT. As a clinical gastroenterologist and molecular biologist, Ramnik studies the specific molecular mechanisms involved in innate and adaptive immunity as well as the genetic variants associated with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and autoimmunity. By determining the physiological functions of inflammatory bowel disease-associated polymorphisms, his work illuminates processes underlying mucosal homeostasis and inflammation. Ramnik has spent his academic career at MGH serving as chief of gastroenterology and director of the Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease at MGH.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brian Cali, Ph.D.

Director

Brian Cali, Ph.D.

Director

Brian Cali is senior vice president, R&D strategy and external innovation of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. Brian Cali co-founded Ironwood in 1998, with the goal of helping to translate scientific insights into medicines that make a difference for patients. As senior vice president, R&D strategy and external innovation, Brian is focused on ensuring tight integration between Ironwood’s R&D strategy and its overall corporate and commercial strategies, and guiding the search for product candidates, technologies and scientific innovations that can advance the company’s mission. He previously served as senior vice president of preclinical research and development, during which time his team identified and advanced a number of new pipeline candidates targeting gastrointestinal disorders and vascular and fibrotic diseases. Prior to this, Brian created and led the program management function at Ironwood. Before Ironwood, Brian was a Chiron Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. He holds a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned a bachelor of science in microbiology from Cornell University.

Margarita Chavez, J.D.

Board Observer

Margarita Chavez, J.D.

Board Observer

AbbVie Ventures Margarita contributes more than 20 years of deal-making experience, including 10 years in biotech and pharma. Margarita has led and managed investments in over a dozen biotech companies in the US and Europe. Prior to AbbVie, Margarita was a Director with Abbott’s Global Pharmaceutical Licensing & Acquisitions group and held positions with increasing responsibility. Before joining Abbott, Margarita practiced as a corporate and securities lawyer in Silicon Valley with the firm of Brobeck Phleger & Harrison, advising in equity financings, M&A and IPOs. Margarita currently serves on the Board of Magnolia Neurosciences and Carisma Therapeutics. Margarita received her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and her bachelor’s from Santa Clara University.

Elaine Jones, Ph.D.

Board Observer

Elaine Jones, Ph.D.

Board Observer

Pfizer Ventures Elaine is the vice president, worldwide business development and senior partner at Pfizer Ventures. She brings 19 years of venture capital experience and a strong background in research and product assessment, built on her significant experience in pharmaceutical drug discovery and business development. Since joining Pfizer, she has been responsible for making venture investments and currently has responsibility for investments in Arrakis, Autifony (UK), Blade Therapeutics, eFFECTOR, Jnana, Mersana, MISSION Therapeutics (UK), NextCure, Nimbus, Second Genome, Storm Therapeutics (UK) and Therachon (Switzerland). Prior to Pfizer, Elaine was a general partner with the venture fund, EuclidSR Partners. She began her investing career in 1999 at S.R. One, GlaxoSmithKline’s corporate fund. Previously, Elaine served as director, scientific licensing for SmithKline Beecham and was a research scientist in SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceutical R&D. Elaine received a bachelor’s in biology from Juniata College and earned her doctorate in microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Kevin Kinsella

Director

Kevin Kinsella

Director

Avalon Ventures Kevin is the founder of Avalon Ventures and has specialized in the formation, financing and development of more than 125 early-stage companies. Kevin was also the founding chairman of Athena Neurosciences, Aurora Biosciences, Landmark Graphics, NeoRx, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Synaptics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, X-Ceptor and Sequana Therapeutics. Prior to founding Avalon, Kevin worked for Solar Turbines International (Caterpillar Tractor) where he directed all international joint ventures, barter and counter-trade. Previously, he was an advisor to the Peruvian government in national nutrition planning where he developed the first commercialization plan for quinoa, ran a technology exchange program between the U.S. and Latin America based in Mexico City, and taught algebra at the American High School in Beirut, Lebanon. Kevin received his bachelor’s degree in management from MIT with minors in electrical engineering and political science, and his master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Kevin conducted his post-graduate work in political economy on a Rotary International Fellowship at the University of Stockholm, Sweden.

Joanne Kotz, Ph.D.

Director

Joanne Kotz, Ph.D.

Director

Terry McGuire

Director

Terry McGuire

Director

Carlo Rizzuto, Ph.D.

Director

Carlo Rizzuto, Ph.D.

Director

Versant Ventures Carlo is a partner at Versant Ventures and focuses on biotech investing and company building for a number of Versant’s portfolio companies including Quentis, VenatoRx, Repare, Pandion, Jnana and Gotham. In addition to Versant, Carlo currently serves as chief executive officer of Highline Therapeutics, Versant’s New York City-based discovery engine. Carlo joined Versant from Novartis where he led global product development teams and helped advance their innovative pipeline products. Prior to his role at Novartis, he held the position of associate principal at McKinsey & Company, advising U.S. and European clients in the pharmaceutical, payor and provider sectors. Prior to joining McKinsey, Carlo helped found engeneOS (Adnexus Therapeutics). Carlo received his doctorate in virology from Harvard University and his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Virginia.

Stuart Schreiber, Ph.D.

Director

Stuart Schreiber, Ph.D.

Director

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Charlie Albright, Ph.D.

Ben Cravatt, Ph.D.

Lisa Olson, Ph.D.

Stuart Schreiber, Ph.D.

Jim Wells, Ph.D.

Mike White, Ph.D.

Ramnik Xavier, M.D, Ph.D.

Your browser is out-of-date!

Our People

MEET OUR TEAM

LEADERSHIP

ACADEMIC FOUNDERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Investors

Partners