The Discovery Team
Amanda Ko | Principal Scientist
Amanda has been an integral part of our close-knit team for more than 14 years. Her years of industry and academic experience have helped her
Annie Verde | Vice President, Finance and Administration
Annie is the consummate caregiver of the team. She handles finance, benefits, accounting and the wide array of day-to-day operations that make this place run
Paul Zabierek | Chief Information Officer
Paul directs the technical operations at Mercaptor. He learned how to design and code designing video games for George Lucas, learned web development building websites
Sara Isbell | Board of Directors, Co-founder, CEO
Sara Isbell has an extensive background in neuroscience, with specific training and expertise in neurodegenerative diseases and conditions, including a recently published paper in drug
Sheana Nieh | Operations Manager
Sheana has been with Mercaptor since it was founded in 2017. She has been instrumental in creating processes and structure for the Laboratory and the
Todd Zankel PhD | Board of Directors, Co-founder, CSO
Dr. Zankel co-founded and seed-funded Mercaptor Discoveries in 2016. He is also the company’s chief science officer (CSO). Dr. Zankel began his career in drug-development
Victoria Mendonca: Director of Business Development and Secretary of the Board
Prior to joining Mercaptor Discoveries, Victoria served in Global Medical Affairs, Clinical Development and Research and Discovery with Raptor Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Horizon Pharma). Victoria
The Board
Mercaptor has been fortunate in the composition of its Board of Directors. Relying initially on two hapless founders, Mercaptor was mercifully introduced by friends to our board members. Possessed of extraordinary and fortuitously-apt skills for an endeavor like Mercaptor their accession to the Board provided encouragement to a team in need of a little validation and added decades of applicable experience to Mercaptor’s managerial team.
Erich Sager, MBA
Erich Sager is an international private banking executive and has been a strong supporter of biopharma companies over the past 20 years. Currently Chairman at CellProtect
Todd Zankel PhD | Board of Directors, Co-founder, CSO
Dr. Zankel co-founded and seed-funded Mercaptor Discoveries in 2016. He is also the company’s chief science officer (CSO). Dr. Zankel began his career in drug-development
Sara Isbell | Board of Directors, Co-founder, CEO
Sara Isbell has an extensive background in neuroscience, with specific training and expertise in neurodegenerative diseases and conditions, including a recently published paper in drug
The Advisory Board
A tiny company, a remarkable discovery, and a lot to do. Mercaptor presented some interesting problems. And not the kind familiar to scientists. One such problem was in engaging the world and communicating our story; another, related, but a more existential problem, was in finding money. We needed help. People to show us a way, without ignoring some founding principles: Avoid reliance on the sclerotic, inefficient approach to drug development common in the modern pharmaceutical industry.
Ralph O’Rear | Advisor to the BOD
Ralph O’Rear provides Mercaptor strategic advice with regards to general business strategy, facilities, and operations. After 18 years at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Kim R. Tsuchimoto | Advisor to the BOD
Ms. Tsuchimoto co-founded Mercaptor Discoveries Inc. and is our part-time Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Tsuchimoto is also the Chief Financial Officer of Monopar Therapeutics since
Dr. Adriano Aguzzi, MD, PhD
Dr. Adriano Aguzzi, MD, PhD, is heading up the formation of Mercaptor’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Aguzzi is a world-renowned neuropathologist, whose research has garnered