Advisors
Allen W. Burton, M.D.
Scientific Founder and Co-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Burton is a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, with added Certification in Pain Medicine. Dr. Burton is a founding partner at Houston Pain Centers (www.houstonpain.com). He was formerly the Chairman of the Department of Pain Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2000-2010.
Dr. Burton obtained his Bachelor of Science at the University of Notre Dame, Medical Doctorate at Baylor College of Medicine, and residency at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. His practice includes the use of pharmacologic, interventional, and behavioral pain management techniques. Dr. Burton has written two textbooks and has more than fifty peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, he lectures and teaches widely in the pain medicine community.
Scientific Founder and Co-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Burton is a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, with added Certification in Pain Medicine. Dr. Burton is a founding partner at Houston Pain Centers (www.houstonpain.com). He was formerly the Chairman of the Department of Pain Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2000-2010.
Dr. Burton obtained his Bachelor of Science at the University of Notre Dame, Medical Doctorate at Baylor College of Medicine, and residency at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. His practice includes the use of pharmacologic, interventional, and behavioral pain management techniques. Dr. Burton has written two textbooks and has more than fifty peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, he lectures and teaches widely in the pain medicine community.
Danguole Altman, M.B.A.
Founder
Danguole Altman is an experienced health care entrepreneur. Ms. Altman co-founded Vapogenix with Drs Burton and Phan and served as Vapogenix’s CEO from December 2006 through June 2017. She successfully drove Vapogenix’s strategy from pre-clinical development through to the design of Phase 2 clinical trials, built a successful drug development team, and raised over $18M in funding. Prior to founding Vapogenix, Ms. Altman was Founder, President and CEO of FemPartners, Inc., one of the nation’s largest women’s health care services firms at that time. Ms. Altman has held management positions at HCA and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, as well as McKinsey and Co. Ms. Altman serves on the Advisory Board of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation, the Executive Committee of the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association, and as a Director of the Baltic American Freedom Foundation. In 2017, she was named a Donaldson Fellow, the highest alumni honor at the Yale School of Management. Ms. Altman holds an A.B. in Economics magna cum laude from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management.
Founder
Danguole Altman is an experienced health care entrepreneur. Ms. Altman co-founded Vapogenix with Drs Burton and Phan and served as Vapogenix’s CEO from December 2006 through June 2017. She successfully drove Vapogenix’s strategy from pre-clinical development through to the design of Phase 2 clinical trials, built a successful drug development team, and raised over $18M in funding. Prior to founding Vapogenix, Ms. Altman was Founder, President and CEO of FemPartners, Inc., one of the nation’s largest women’s health care services firms at that time. Ms. Altman has held management positions at HCA and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, as well as McKinsey and Co. Ms. Altman serves on the Advisory Board of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation, the Executive Committee of the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association, and as a Director of the Baltic American Freedom Foundation. In 2017, she was named a Donaldson Fellow, the highest alumni honor at the Yale School of Management. Ms. Altman holds an A.B. in Economics magna cum laude from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management.
David Anderson, J.D.
Mr. Anderson has over 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry and serves as an advisor to life science companies. He has served as Chairman of the Board for Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc. (2003-2013) and Plx Pharma, Inc. (2005-2011) and as a director of Halsa Pharmaceuticals. He was formerly the President and CEO of MithraGen and the Chief Operating Officer and a director of Tanox, joining Tanox in 1987 as Vice President of Corporate Development. At Tanox, he was a member of the steering committee overseeing development of Tanox’s anti-IgE products, including Xolair, a first in class treatment for asthma. From 1977 to 1987, Mr. Anderson was engaged in the private practice of law, with a focus in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions and intellectual property licensing. Mr. Anderson received his J.D. in 1976 from the University of Houston and a B.S. in Chemistry from Texas A&I University.
Mr. Anderson has over 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry and serves as an advisor to life science companies. He has served as Chairman of the Board for Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc. (2003-2013) and Plx Pharma, Inc. (2005-2011) and as a director of Halsa Pharmaceuticals. He was formerly the President and CEO of MithraGen and the Chief Operating Officer and a director of Tanox, joining Tanox in 1987 as Vice President of Corporate Development. At Tanox, he was a member of the steering committee overseeing development of Tanox’s anti-IgE products, including Xolair, a first in class treatment for asthma. From 1977 to 1987, Mr. Anderson was engaged in the private practice of law, with a focus in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions and intellectual property licensing. Mr. Anderson received his J.D. in 1976 from the University of Houston and a B.S. in Chemistry from Texas A&I University.
Jay Birnbaum, Ph.D.
Dr. Birnbaum is a dermatology consultant specializing in ethical and OTC drugs, devices, and cosmeceuticals. His 30+ years of industry experience span the areas of discovery research, formulation, clinical R&D, regulatory and marketing. Jay has been involved in the development and commercialization of numerous products, including Lamisil antifungal products (the world’s largest selling dermatology brand), Apligraf (the first bioengineered, living skin equivalent), and Skin Caviar (the centerpiece of the upscale LaPrairie Skin Care brand). Dr. Birnbaum was a co-founder and CMO of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, a company developing products in aesthetic dermatology. Kythera (whose lead product is now in Ph3) recently completed a successful IPO (NASDAQ:KYTH). Prior to starting his own consulting company in 1999, Jay was VP, Global Project Management at Novartis/Sandoz, and held management positions in the Medical and Consumer Product Divisions of American Cyanamid Company (Wyeth). Jay has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCLS) and Excaliard Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Pfizer in 2011), as well as the SABs of multiple companies. He received a B.S. degree from Trinity College and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Birnbaum is a dermatology consultant specializing in ethical and OTC drugs, devices, and cosmeceuticals. His 30+ years of industry experience span the areas of discovery research, formulation, clinical R&D, regulatory and marketing. Jay has been involved in the development and commercialization of numerous products, including Lamisil antifungal products (the world’s largest selling dermatology brand), Apligraf (the first bioengineered, living skin equivalent), and Skin Caviar (the centerpiece of the upscale LaPrairie Skin Care brand). Dr. Birnbaum was a co-founder and CMO of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, a company developing products in aesthetic dermatology. Kythera (whose lead product is now in Ph3) recently completed a successful IPO (NASDAQ:KYTH). Prior to starting his own consulting company in 1999, Jay was VP, Global Project Management at Novartis/Sandoz, and held management positions in the Medical and Consumer Product Divisions of American Cyanamid Company (Wyeth). Jay has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCLS) and Excaliard Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Pfizer in 2011), as well as the SABs of multiple companies. He received a B.S. degree from Trinity College and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Wisconsin.
Bruce Given, M.D.
Dr. Given is Chief Operating Officer of Arrowhead Research. He served as President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Encysive Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he has held senior operational roles with Johnson & Johnson as President, International for Ortho Clinical Diagnostics and Group Vice President and Head, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing for Janssen Pharmaceutica (US), as well as various executive and senior management positions at Sandoz Pharma Ltd., Sandoz Research Institute and Schering-Plough Corporation. Before entering the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Given was on the medical faculty at the University of Chicago.
Since February 1, 2010, Dr. Given has served as Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo Biosystems, Inc., a company in which Arrowhead maintains a minority equity interest, and he also has served as a director of Calando Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Arrowhead, since October 1, 2009. Additionally, Dr. Given has served on the Board of Directors of ICON, plc since 2004 and was elected Chairman in 2010. Dr. Given also serves on the Boards of Directors of Sembiosys Genetics Inc. and BioHouston, and is a member of the inCube Scientific Advisory Board. He previously served as a member of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Commercialization Committee, the Texas Life Sciences Committee, the Technology Review Committee of MD Anderson Medical Center, and is past Chairman of the Rider University Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Given obtained his B.S. from Colorado State University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He received his M.D. degree with honors from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine and completed his medical training at the University of Chicago and at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. He is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology and metabolism, and has authored 33 scientific publications.
Dr. Given is Chief Operating Officer of Arrowhead Research. He served as President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Encysive Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he has held senior operational roles with Johnson & Johnson as President, International for Ortho Clinical Diagnostics and Group Vice President and Head, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing for Janssen Pharmaceutica (US), as well as various executive and senior management positions at Sandoz Pharma Ltd., Sandoz Research Institute and Schering-Plough Corporation. Before entering the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Given was on the medical faculty at the University of Chicago.
Since February 1, 2010, Dr. Given has served as Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo Biosystems, Inc., a company in which Arrowhead maintains a minority equity interest, and he also has served as a director of Calando Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Arrowhead, since October 1, 2009. Additionally, Dr. Given has served on the Board of Directors of ICON, plc since 2004 and was elected Chairman in 2010. Dr. Given also serves on the Boards of Directors of Sembiosys Genetics Inc. and BioHouston, and is a member of the inCube Scientific Advisory Board. He previously served as a member of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Commercialization Committee, the Texas Life Sciences Committee, the Technology Review Committee of MD Anderson Medical Center, and is past Chairman of the Rider University Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Given obtained his B.S. from Colorado State University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He received his M.D. degree with honors from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine and completed his medical training at the University of Chicago and at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. He is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology and metabolism, and has authored 33 scientific publications.
Peter G. Lacouture, M.S., Ph.D.
Dr. Lacouture is currently the Principal Architect for The Lacouture Consortium (TLC), a new initiative retaining experienced industry leaders to develop forums to identify and address barriers obstructing Pharma growth in a changing environment. Dr. Lacouture has deep industry, academic and regulatory expertise in pain medicine, frequently serving as a speaker at academic conferences. His focus is on all aspects of analgesic drug development from manufacturing to marketing. Prior to TLC, he was the Medical Director of Pain Management at Hospira, Inc. leading development efforts with drug (injectable analgesics) and device (PCA pumps) programs. He was previously Vice President, Scientific & Medical Affairs for Magidom Discovery, LLC, an international boutique strategy and tactical operations firm focused on regulatory and clinical aspects of pain management and analgesic discovery and development. He has orchestrated strategic and tactical programs with drugs, devices and biologics from INDs through NDAs. He has been clinical/medical lead for several programs at Wyeth-Ayerst Research (now Pfizer) with immunopharmacologics and anti-inflammatory products as well as multiple analgesic programs at Purdue Pharma.
Dr. Lacouture received his A.B. in Chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross, his M.S. in Pharmacology/Toxicology and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Physiology from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He completed his post-doctoral training in Pathology at Harvard University Medical School. He has held faculty positions at Harvard University (Pediatrics) and the University of Pennsylvania (Anesthesia) and is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brown University (Emergency Medicine). He was one of the founders of the Pediatric Pain Service at Children’s Hospital in Boston and organized the PeDDI (Pediatric Drug Development Institute) as a strategic and tactical alliance with experts in Pediatric clinical trials. He has authored close to two hundred publications including original peer reviewed articles, book chapters, abstracts and monographs. He is a member of many professional societies and has received several research awards.
Dr. Lacouture is currently the Principal Architect for The Lacouture Consortium (TLC), a new initiative retaining experienced industry leaders to develop forums to identify and address barriers obstructing Pharma growth in a changing environment. Dr. Lacouture has deep industry, academic and regulatory expertise in pain medicine, frequently serving as a speaker at academic conferences. His focus is on all aspects of analgesic drug development from manufacturing to marketing. Prior to TLC, he was the Medical Director of Pain Management at Hospira, Inc. leading development efforts with drug (injectable analgesics) and device (PCA pumps) programs. He was previously Vice President, Scientific & Medical Affairs for Magidom Discovery, LLC, an international boutique strategy and tactical operations firm focused on regulatory and clinical aspects of pain management and analgesic discovery and development. He has orchestrated strategic and tactical programs with drugs, devices and biologics from INDs through NDAs. He has been clinical/medical lead for several programs at Wyeth-Ayerst Research (now Pfizer) with immunopharmacologics and anti-inflammatory products as well as multiple analgesic programs at Purdue Pharma.
Dr. Lacouture received his A.B. in Chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross, his M.S. in Pharmacology/Toxicology and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Physiology from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He completed his post-doctoral training in Pathology at Harvard University Medical School. He has held faculty positions at Harvard University (Pediatrics) and the University of Pennsylvania (Anesthesia) and is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brown University (Emergency Medicine). He was one of the founders of the Pediatric Pain Service at Children’s Hospital in Boston and organized the PeDDI (Pediatric Drug Development Institute) as a strategic and tactical alliance with experts in Pediatric clinical trials. He has authored close to two hundred publications including original peer reviewed articles, book chapters, abstracts and monographs. He is a member of many professional societies and has received several research awards.
Mike A. Royal, M.D., J.D., M.B.A.
Dr. Royal, is Executive Vice President, Clinical Development at Sorrento Therapeutics, a company focused on targeted cancer therapeutics and Resiniferatoxin for chronic intractable cancer pain. Mike has over 20 years of clinical research experience across numerous therapeutic areas. Mike started his career as the founder, president and sole owner of the Pain Evaluation & Treatment Center, a multi-specialty chronic pain and headache private practice and research center in Tulsa, OK. Then, as Senior Medical Director, Medical Affairs, at Elan Pharmaceuticals, he worked on the development of Prialt® (intrathecal ziconotide) and was responsible for medical affairs’ activities for numerous marketed products. At Alpharma, he was Vice President, Strategic Brand Development, Alpharma Branded Products Division and Vice President, Global Medical Affairs, he authored the clinical sections for over a dozen successful ANDAs, was responsible for global research and development and pharmacovigilance, and contributed to the early development of Embeda® (sustained release morphine with sequestered naltrexone). Dr. Royal was Chief Medical Officer for Solstice Neurosciences, responsible for clinical and regulatory affairs for Myobloc® (botulinum toxin B). Prior to Sorrento, Mike was also Vice President, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs for Cadence Pharmaceuticals where he designed and conducted the clinical development program for Ofirmev® (IV acetaminophen), and Chief, Clinical Affairs at AcelRx Pharmaceuticals responsible for the Zalviso™ (sufentanil sublingual microtablet system) NDA clinical modules and the medical affairs launch strategy.
Dr. Royal has been a clinical adjunct Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology/Pain Management at UCSD and at the University of Oklahoma Medical School, and a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Director of the Acute Pain Service. He is board certified in internal medicine, pain medicine, anesthesiology with additional certification in pain management, addiction medicine and legal medicine. His internal medicine residency was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and his anesthesiology residency and pain fellowship was at Allegheny General Hospital. Dr. Royal’s medical degree is from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, and Global Executive M.B.A. from TRIUM (NYU-Stern, HEC-Paris, and the London School of Economics). His B.S. was from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a focus on synthetic organic chemistry.
Dr. Royal, is Executive Vice President, Clinical Development at Sorrento Therapeutics, a company focused on targeted cancer therapeutics and Resiniferatoxin for chronic intractable cancer pain. Mike has over 20 years of clinical research experience across numerous therapeutic areas. Mike started his career as the founder, president and sole owner of the Pain Evaluation & Treatment Center, a multi-specialty chronic pain and headache private practice and research center in Tulsa, OK. Then, as Senior Medical Director, Medical Affairs, at Elan Pharmaceuticals, he worked on the development of Prialt® (intrathecal ziconotide) and was responsible for medical affairs’ activities for numerous marketed products. At Alpharma, he was Vice President, Strategic Brand Development, Alpharma Branded Products Division and Vice President, Global Medical Affairs, he authored the clinical sections for over a dozen successful ANDAs, was responsible for global research and development and pharmacovigilance, and contributed to the early development of Embeda® (sustained release morphine with sequestered naltrexone). Dr. Royal was Chief Medical Officer for Solstice Neurosciences, responsible for clinical and regulatory affairs for Myobloc® (botulinum toxin B). Prior to Sorrento, Mike was also Vice President, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs for Cadence Pharmaceuticals where he designed and conducted the clinical development program for Ofirmev® (IV acetaminophen), and Chief, Clinical Affairs at AcelRx Pharmaceuticals responsible for the Zalviso™ (sufentanil sublingual microtablet system) NDA clinical modules and the medical affairs launch strategy.
Dr. Royal has been a clinical adjunct Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology/Pain Management at UCSD and at the University of Oklahoma Medical School, and a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Director of the Acute Pain Service. He is board certified in internal medicine, pain medicine, anesthesiology with additional certification in pain management, addiction medicine and legal medicine. His internal medicine residency was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and his anesthesiology residency and pain fellowship was at Allegheny General Hospital. Dr. Royal’s medical degree is from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, and Global Executive M.B.A. from TRIUM (NYU-Stern, HEC-Paris, and the London School of Economics). His B.S. was from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a focus on synthetic organic chemistry.
Bette Schultz, M.B.A.
Ms. Schultz is a pharmaceutical executive with extensive operational and deal making experience. Bette is currently President of Business & Licensing Strategies, LLC, an independent consultancy she founded in 2008. In this role she has advised health care companies, an investment firm and a government agency on licensing and co-promotion deals, pharmaceutical life cycle management, marketing and business operations. She has also served as an expert witness on licensing and life cycle management.
Previously, Bette served as Vice President at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, heading Business Development and Licensing and a primary care Business Unit. Her BD&L responsibilities included in-licensing, out-licensing, co-promotion and divestitures for the US pharmaceutical organization, as well as supporting and representing US views for global licensing initiatives. As Business Unit head, she had P&L responsibility for a group of products whose sales exceeded $900 million in 2007. Additional responsibilities included Life Cycle Management for all primary care products. Prior to Novartis, Bette held various Business Development and Marketing positions at Schering-Plough Corporation. She began her pharmaceutical career at Eli Lilly & Co. Bette holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an Sc.B. in Biology from Brown University.
Bette is active in professional and alumni organizations including the Licensing Executive Society, Harvard Business School Health Industry Alumni Assoc., and Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Industry Foundation. Her community activities include Vice President of the Board, Dress for Success Morris County; past Trustee, NJ Center for Visual Arts with positions of Treasurer and Chair of Finance, Personnel and Search Committees; and a member of the Finance Committee of the Great Swamp Watershed Association.
Ms. Schultz is a pharmaceutical executive with extensive operational and deal making experience. Bette is currently President of Business & Licensing Strategies, LLC, an independent consultancy she founded in 2008. In this role she has advised health care companies, an investment firm and a government agency on licensing and co-promotion deals, pharmaceutical life cycle management, marketing and business operations. She has also served as an expert witness on licensing and life cycle management.
Previously, Bette served as Vice President at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, heading Business Development and Licensing and a primary care Business Unit. Her BD&L responsibilities included in-licensing, out-licensing, co-promotion and divestitures for the US pharmaceutical organization, as well as supporting and representing US views for global licensing initiatives. As Business Unit head, she had P&L responsibility for a group of products whose sales exceeded $900 million in 2007. Additional responsibilities included Life Cycle Management for all primary care products. Prior to Novartis, Bette held various Business Development and Marketing positions at Schering-Plough Corporation. She began her pharmaceutical career at Eli Lilly & Co. Bette holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an Sc.B. in Biology from Brown University.
Bette is active in professional and alumni organizations including the Licensing Executive Society, Harvard Business School Health Industry Alumni Assoc., and Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Industry Foundation. Her community activities include Vice President of the Board, Dress for Success Morris County; past Trustee, NJ Center for Visual Arts with positions of Treasurer and Chair of Finance, Personnel and Search Committees; and a member of the Finance Committee of the Great Swamp Watershed Association.
William T. Zempsky, M.D.
Dr. Zempsky is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and the Head of the Division of Pain and Palliative Medicine at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Zempsky received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and completed a pediatric residency on the Harriet Lane Service at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He also completed a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Zempsky has lectured nationally and internationally on pediatric pain management focused on an efficient systemic approach to pain relief. He has published numerous research papers, articles and chapters in this area. He is a renowned expert in the area of transdermal drug delivery for local anesthesia. His research interests include pain in children with sickle cell disease, developing systematic approaches to pain management, and transdermal drug delivery. Dr. Zempsky is the lead author on the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement concerning pain management in emergency medical systems for children. Dr. Zempsky is a pain consultant for both the Brighton Collaboration, an international group of investigators focused on vaccination side effects, and the FDA. In 2008 Dr. Zempsky received 2 major awards, the prestigious Donaghue Investigator Award to carry out his research in sickle cell pain, as well as the Mayday Pain and Society Fellowship to enhance his abilities in pain advocacy. Dr. Zempsky also holds a 4 year Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Zempsky is a co-editor of the Oxford Textbook of Pediatric Pain which is the leading text in the field. In 2014 Dr. Zempsky’s Division of Pain and Palliative Medicine received the Center of Clinical Excellence Award from the American Pain Society.
Dr. Zempsky is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and the Head of the Division of Pain and Palliative Medicine at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Zempsky received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and completed a pediatric residency on the Harriet Lane Service at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He also completed a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Zempsky has lectured nationally and internationally on pediatric pain management focused on an efficient systemic approach to pain relief. He has published numerous research papers, articles and chapters in this area. He is a renowned expert in the area of transdermal drug delivery for local anesthesia. His research interests include pain in children with sickle cell disease, developing systematic approaches to pain management, and transdermal drug delivery. Dr. Zempsky is the lead author on the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement concerning pain management in emergency medical systems for children. Dr. Zempsky is a pain consultant for both the Brighton Collaboration, an international group of investigators focused on vaccination side effects, and the FDA. In 2008 Dr. Zempsky received 2 major awards, the prestigious Donaghue Investigator Award to carry out his research in sickle cell pain, as well as the Mayday Pain and Society Fellowship to enhance his abilities in pain advocacy. Dr. Zempsky also holds a 4 year Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Zempsky is a co-editor of the Oxford Textbook of Pediatric Pain which is the leading text in the field. In 2014 Dr. Zempsky’s Division of Pain and Palliative Medicine received the Center of Clinical Excellence Award from the American Pain Society.