Francesca Cignarella
Project Manager - Neuroscience at Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
Washington, District of Columbia
Overview
Work Experience
Project Manager - Neuroscience
2023 - Current
Leading projects in the field of Alzheimer's, contributing to cutting-edge research, innovation, and fostering collaboration in public-private partnerships among Government, Academia, and Pharmaceutical companies.
Medical science is poised like never before to crack the code to some of humankind’s most vexing health challenges
Board Observer
2022 - 2023
MindImmune Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat diseases of the central nervous system.
Raised $13,650,000.00 from Trend Investment Group, RightHill Ventures, Pfizer Venture Investments, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and Dolby Family Ventures.
Investment Associate
2021 - 2023
Dolby Family Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on building great technology and life sciences companies. The fund honors the legacy of Ray Dolby and his commitment to entrepreneurs and their vision to solve the world’s toughest problems. The life science investments focus on novel neuroscience therapeutics, therapeutics for clinical depression, and neuromodulation/neurostimulation. http://www.dolbyventures.com/
Dolby Family Ventures is an early stage venture firm focused on building great technology companies.
Board Observer
2021 - 2023
Senior Scientist, Immuno-Neurology
2021 - 2021
Scientist, Immuno-Neurology
2019 - 2021
Alector is combining state-of-the-art antibody technology and recent discoveries in neuroimmunology and human genetics to develop novel.
Raised $319,500,000.00 from Hercules Capital.
Consultant
2017 - 2019
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Advising Group (BALSA) Provided market research, technology assessment, competitor analysis, and business plan development for a diverse clientele including startups, universities, and companies.
The BALSA Group is a nonprofit organization that offers consulting solutions to promote emerging technologies and businesses.
Postdoctoral Fellow
2014 - 2019
▪ Study of the MS4A gene cluster as a key modulator of soluble TREM2 and Alzheimer’s disease risk. ▪ Characterization of the function of the immunoreceptor TREM2 in microglial cells in vitro and in vivo. ▪ Study of the impact of intermittent fasting on a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.
Research Fellow
2013 - 2014
▪ Study of the relationship between iron and neurodegeneration in neuroferritinophaties. ▪ Study of structural, functional and immunological properties of proteins, with particular attention to the proteins of iron metabolism. ▪ Study of the functional and immunological characteristics of natural ferritins.
PhD Student
2010 - 2013
▪ Study of the biological alteration of human primary cells and cell line cultures induced by HIV proteins and its variants. ▪ Study of the biological alteration of human primary cells and cell line cultures induced by herpesvirus-6.
Trainee
2007 - 2008
▪ Assay design of PCR kits for SNPs analysis.