BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nicole Wagner, PhD, CEO, LambdaVision
Dr. Wagner obtained her PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Connecticut under the advising of Dr. Robert Birge. Nicole entered the graduate program in 2007 and spent the majority of her graduate career working on optimizing retinal-containing proteins for application in devices. During the course of her PhD research, she played a critical role in the proof-of-concept experiments, which helped to found LambdaVision in May 2009. Through the use of site-directed mutagenesis, site-specific saturation mutagenesis, and directed evolution, Nicole was able to genetically engineer the protein, bacteriorhodopsin, for a variety of device applications, including protein-based holographic and 3-dimensional memories, a chemical detection sensor, and, most recently, a protein-based artificial retina.
Nicole is an accomplished scientist and entrepreneur with numerous peer-reviewed publications – presenting her research at both National and International meetings. Dr. Wagner is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Connecticut Technology Council’s Women of Innovation “Collegian Innovation and Leadership Award,” CT Magazine’s 40 under 40 for the class of 2015, the 2020 Women in Aerospace Achievement Award, and the Hartford Business Journal’s Women in Business Award for 2021. Nicole serves on the Board of Directors of the New England Women in Science Executive’s Club, as well as the CT Technology Council, and recently joined the ISS National Lab User Advisory Committee as the Subcommittee Chair for Applied Research and Development. Nicole has been with LambdaVision since inception, and is LambdaVision’s President and CEO. Since taking on the role of CEO, Dr. Wagner has been successful in securing greater than $8.75M in local, state, and government funding to accelerate the research, development, and commercialization of LambdaVision’s artificial retina.
LAMBDAVISION
LambdaVision is developing the first protein-based artificial retina to restore meaningful vision for patients who are blind or have lost significant sight due to advanced retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Diane Joseph-McCarthy is the Executive Director of the Bioengineering Technology & Entrepreneurship Center (BTEC) and Professor of the Practice in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. She is a senior life science executive with over 20 years of drug discovery, development, and leadership experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. Most recently, she was the Senior Vice President of Discovery & Early Development at EnBiotix, a bioengineering company focused on developing novel antibacterials. Before joining EnBiotix, she was an Associate Director in the Infection iMED at AstraZeneca, where she led an innovative group of scientists as well as a global team in Predictive Science. Prior to that she was at Wyeth where she held positions of increasing responsibility. She has been actively involved in the discovery of several compounds that have reached clinical trials. Dr. Joseph-McCarthy received her PhD from MIT, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School. She has more than 75 publications/patents and has given numerous invited talks. She also has served as a member of the National Academy of Sciences Polio Antiviral Advisory Committee.
Director of Administration, Lando & Anastasi, LLP
Karen has worked in Boston area law firms of various sizes for more than 30 years. She has promoted women’s initiatives within law firms and through her service to non-profit organizations throughout her career. Karen is a founding Board Member of NEWISE, and serves as Treasurer of the organization. Karen previously served for several years as a member of the Board of Directors of WEST. Karen received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and her M.B.A. from the Simmons College School of Business.
Owner of Career Strategist
Sarah runs her own consulting firm, Career Strategist, and draws upon more than 20 years of recruitment and career development experience to help her global client base define new or existing career paths, or to help them navigate successfully in their current companies. In 2003, she was recognized by Boston Magazine one of the 100 most powerful women in Boston. Sarah is an accomplished and highly-regarded speaker and workshop leader. She conducts hands-on training and workshops for postdoctoral fellows, as well as companies, trade organizations, and associations. Her commitment and dedication to helping scientists, particularly postdocs, transform their career paths earned her the 2014 Mass AWIS Mentor of Excellence Award. Sarah has held leadership positions in many organizations including WEST, Mass Gap, Mass AWIS, South Shore Chamber, and Mass Alliance. She recently served on the Board of Directors of the Science Club for Girls (SCFG) and was the 2014 SCFG Catalyst Awards co-chair. Sarah is a founding Board Member of New England Women in Science Executives Club, and currently serves as Chair of the NEWISE Board.
Andrea Greiff is the Founder and President of NextPhase Search. Organized in 2009, NextPhase has been setting an example of high integrity, high performance, and unparalleled service to both its clients and candidates. NextPhase is a 100% woman owned boutique search firm serving primarily life sciences and alternative investments organizations.
Andrea has a breadth of experience guiding search strategy and execution across a full scope of venture funded start-ups through to Fortune 50 companies. Her niche is bringing a bespoke, executive search inspired, process and experience to non- C-suite search with a focus on G&A, including accounting/ finance, administration, and human resources.
Andrea joined NEWISE 2012 and has been serving as a Board member since 2020. She is passionate about community building for women in the life sciences field and has a deep appreciation for the highly personal nature of relationship building fostered by the unique dynamic of NEWISE. She earned her BA with honors, from the University of Rochester. Andrea has had the privilege of being empowered and inspired by both strong women and strong, supportive, men as role models in both her personal life and career; she aims to pay that forward, serving a similar function for her family, friends, and in her various professional circles.
Tanya is a scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur with extensive experience in developing and commercializing innovative tools for medical research and chemical analysis. She co-founded BioTrove, an MIT spin-off that developed microtechnologies for genomic analysis and high-throughput drug discovery, including the OpenArray® PCR platform, now sold by ThermoFisher for pharmacogenetics and other genomic analysis applications. Tanya served as COO of Genomic Expression Inc, a diagnostic company for precision oncology, and as COO and Principal Investigator of Biocogniv, a medical AI company. Currently, she works as a subject matter expert for Space Commerce Matters and as an independent consultant, providing technical and business expertise to early-stage companies with novel technology platforms. Tanya received her B.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from McGill University. She then completed post-doctoral training in the Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering departments at MIT. Tanya holds 18 issued US patents and has published research in a variety of fields, including integrated optics spectroscopy, conducting polymer actuators, and the application of machine learning to blood diagnostics. As a dedicated member of both the scientific and business communities, Tanya volunteers with the IEEE Women Tech Entrepreneurs Support Network and serves as a grant reviewer for the NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. She is also a founding member of NEWISE and currently serves on its Board of Directors.
OUR SPONSORS
The NEWISE CLUB offers a unique sponsorship opportunity for companies and organizations who seek to connect with senior life sciences executive women. By hosting one of our private monthly dinner gatherings, your organization’s senior leaders will have an opportunity to dine informally with our members.
Please visit our Sponsor page for more information or contact NEWISE leadership at
