BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Samy Y. Lamouille, PhD
Co-Founder and CEO
Dr. Lamouille has a demonstrated track record as a leader in both academia and the biotech business sector. He is an experienced cell and molecular biologist with 20+ years of experience in the cancer field, including 8+ years working in biotech companies in San Francisco, CA and Roanoke, VA. He completed his PhD at the University of Grenoble, France, and postdoctoral training at University of California San Francisco. He has made significant discoveries in the field of cancer progression through metastasis, and has published in leading journals, including Nature Biotechnology, Nature Reviews, and Cancer Research. In 2016, he co-founded Acomhal Research to develop novel cancer treatments to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis. The following year, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities selected Acomhal Research as one of 22 companies nationwide for the University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. Dr. Lamouille has served as PI on multiple SBIR/STTR grants and has recently raised capital via a seed fund round with Virginia Investors to support Acomhal’s mission.
Robert G. Gourdie, PhD
Co-Founder and CSO
Dr. Robert Gourdie is Professor and Director of the Center for Vascular and Heart Research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC at Virginia Tech. He has authored 160+ scientific publications (H factor = 59). Dr. Gourdie has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1997, with two current R01 grants and considerable experience leading NIH STTR and SBIR projects. Presently, he holds a dozen issued US patents and over 30 worldwide, with another 50 patents pending. In 2005, he co-founded FirstString Research, serving as its CSO, where he had a key role in developing the company’s regulatory process, including a successful IND application to the FDA. Dr. Gourdie co-founded Acomhal Research in 2016, which is licensed to use the JM2 peptide drug that was invented in his lab, and his extensive experience will be essential to Acomhal’s translation of JM2 to the clinic.
Craig T. Ramey, PhD
Chairman
Dr. Ramey is a Professor and Distinguished Research Scholar at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. He has extensive methodological and statistical training as a life-span developmental psychologist with a specialty in early experience and causal modeling via randomized controlled trials. He has led eight research teams, each addressing preventive and early intervention treatments for pediatric populations. Dr. Ramey's background in research design and data analytics ranges from single subject analyses to multi-site RCTs. Over his career Dr. Ramey’s NIH grant portfolio has run to many millions of dollars – in line with the size and scope of his work. Many of these studies have been programmatic and involved management of funding across multiple institutions. In addition to his own research, his scientific background has resulted in him serving as a frequent statistical reviewer or methodology consultant to NIH, DHHS, DOE, and other federal agencies and private foundations.
Ralph Whatley, MD
Director
Dr. Whatley is professor, board certified physician and clinical educator specializing in internal and pulmonary medicine. During his tenure at Carilion Clinic, Dr. Whatley’s appointments included chair of the Department of Medicine for 8 years and then interim co-chair of the Department of Pediatrics for 1 year, and throughout his career, he chaired and/or served on multiple boards and committees. Notably, in 2008, when the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) was opened, Dr. Whatley was a member of the founding faculty as a tenured professor of medicine. His research has been supported through grants from multiple private and federal sources, and through his clinical and research efforts, Dr. Whatley published over 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 4 reviews, and 3 book chapters.
Kevin Bloomfield
Director
Mr. Bloomfield is a serial entrepreneur who is passionate about building healthy cultures, exceptional teams, and great products, all while obsessing about customers. He currently leads a diversified set of portfolio companies through his firm, Bloomfield Partners, LLC. Prior to founding Bloomfield Partners, Mr. Bloomfield was CEO of NetVentures for 15 years, a disruptive cloud-based Operations & Fund Accounting software platform for progressive non-profit organizations which he led from early-stage start-up to market leader to acquisition. As a regional technology leader, entrepreneur, and mentor, Mr. Bloomfield has been honored many times from entities such as the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council, the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation's Virginia Venture Partners (formerly CIT GAP Funds), the Blue Ridge Business Journal, the Chamber of Commerce, and other civic organizations. Additionally, Mr. Bloomfield coaches many local technology entrepreneurs, he has participated in numerous Start-Up Weekends, and he often speaks to aspiring entrepreneurs at nearby universities.