Sunny Kumar

Partner

2017 - Current

Lead investor in Medable, Kinsa, Deep 6 AI, Zingbox (Exited), Nimble Robotics, Osso VR, Health Rhythms, Alpha Medical, ID R&D (Exited), Enzyme, Ferrum Health, and Cherry Labs Expert in health AI technologies, identifying early-stage healthcare companies applying deep learning approaches to meaningfully improve and potentially transform our healthcare delivery system Building deep and meaningful relationships with founders to support and grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem

Research Associate

2017 - 2017

Conducted comprehensive landscape analysis on ophthalmologic diseases and emerging therapeutic options Developed a cohesive investment thesis to guide investment decisions in the inherited retinal dystrophy space

Medical Researcher, Neurosurgery Department - Palmer Lab

2013 - 2017

Investigated the neural stem cell niche, its response to injury, and mechanisms of repair Characterized changes in the transcriptome of irradiated microglia Explored small molecule therapies to restore neurogenesis following radiation injury Discovered the impact of exogenous neural stem cell grafting into the mouse hippocampus in the setting of endogenous stem cell ablation • Selected peer-reviewed publications: Li, M.D., Burns, T.C., Kumar, S., Morgan, A.A., Sloan, S.A., and Palmer, T.D. (2015). Aging-like Changes in the Transcriptome of Irradiated Microglia. Glia 63, 754–767. Azad, T.D., Veeravagu, A., Kumar, S., and Katznelson, L. (2015). Nelson Syndrome: Update on Therapeutic Approaches. World Neurosurgery 83, 1135–1140.

Medical Researcher, Yale Cappello Lab & University of Ghana

2011 - 2013

Conducted cross-sectional research into the epidemiology of hookworm infection and treatment failure in school children in rural Ghana, revealing novel host and helminth factors impacting cure rates Operated as the Field Team Leader in Ghana responsible for finances, scheduling, communication, collaborator relations, and field strategy Selected peer-reviewed publications: Humphries, D., Nguyen, S., Kumar, S., Quagraine, J.E., Otchere, J., Harrison, L.M., Wilson, M., and Cappello, M. (2017). Effectiveness of Albendazole for Hookworm Varies Widely by Community and Correlates with Nutritional Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study of School-Age Children in Ghana. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 96, 347–354.

Senior Fellow, Center on Public Health

2010 - 2013

Designed the future direction of Roosevelt and the Public Health Center; Advised the center and developed best practices for Roosevelt National; Conducted independent research building upon past projects.

Center Head, Center on Public Health

2009 - 2010

Led 20 fellows on four unique public health projects (health resource mapping, suburban AIDS transmission risks, obesity awareness campaign, accessible parks initiative) with direct implications for the New Haven community; Trained members in ArcGIS software and produced the first health maps for New Haven.

Researcher, Yale Neurobiology Dept - Zhong Lab

2010 - 2013

Research into asymmetric stem cell division and neural development; Designed a screen to determine the role of specific genes in neural development; Developed a model drosophila melanogaster mutant to investigate neural stem cell mechanics.

Founder and Chief Financial Officer

2010 - 2011

Web-enabled grocery delivery provider serving the broader New Haven community. Founded after conducting the first food-mapping public health study in New Haven revealing that New Haven had become a food desert. Provided produce and healthy groceries to the entire community, reaching over 1000 families. Closed after 2 years when the opening of a new supermarket alleviated healthy food scarcity.

Researcher, National Institutes of Health - Cadet Lab

2008 - 2009

Researcher, Cellular Biology Dept - Litvin Lab

2006 - 2008