I oversee the Foundation’s basic and translational research programs, and serve as the Foundation’s lead official in interfacing with the scientific-research community. I also guide the Foundation’s interest in emerging grant opportunities in the biomedical-research sector and measures to assess the impact of Arizona’s investments in the biosciences.

I joined the Foundation in 2018 after serving as a senior executive at Science Foundation Arizona, where I developed and managed a portfolio of research investments, worked across the academic, industry, government, and philanthropy sectors, and built out the Bisgrove Scholars Program, which supports post-doctoral and early-career faculty establishing research portfolios in Arizona. In addition, I bring experience in research and development and product commercialization. A native of Ireland who moved to the United States in 2002, I have also worked for a Scottsdale-based renewable energy startup, a multinational electronics-manufacturing company in Ireland and Chicago, and as a scientist at Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland.

I earned my doctorate in chemistry/materials science from Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland and the Joint Research Center, Petten, the Netherlands. Received a Master of Science in technology management from the Smurfit Business School at University College Dublin, and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in England.