Kelly Nissen

Principal - Alexandria Venture Investments

2024 - Current

Senior Associate - Alexandria Venture Investments

2021 - 2024

Associate - Alexandria Venture Investments

2019 - 2021

Senior Analyst - Alexandria Venture Investments

2018 - 2019

Business Development Co-op

2017 - 2018

Research & Innovation Division

Biotechnology Investment Intern

2017 - 2018

NSF Graduate Research Fellow

2009 - 2017

• Results led to two high-impact publications (Genes & Development, PLoS Genetics) with one additional publication in preparation • Mentored by world-renowned splicing expert; thesis research elucidated a molecular connection between two fundamental gene expression pathways (chromatin remodeling and pre-mRNA splicing) • Independently managed negotiations and coordination between three competing laboratory groups to co-publish synergistic results • Recruited and led a team of six UCSF and international scientists to perform genetic and bioinformatics analyses

Product Development Intern

2016 - 2016

• Reviewed grant proposals for early innovations with industry advisors • Prepared pitch deck for $60K seed funding competition • Performed market and competitive landscape analyses; wrote intellectual property disclosure; acted as project manager

Entrepreneur/Consultant

2016 - 2016

• Led Aptascan, Inc.’s strategy to pivot from platform technology to consumer women’s health product • Performed customer discovery research and market analysis; prepared business plan and pitch deck for investors • Received highest scores in cohort during pitch competition and multiple leads for angel investment

Undergraduate Honors Researcher

2006 - 2009

• Independently designed award-winning honors thesis research project on the inheritance patterns of a famous transposon silencing mechanism.