The Institute for Applied Biomedicine

Board of Directors
Institute for Applied Biomedicine

Institute for Applied Biomedicine's Board of Directors oversees the direction of the organization and develops long-term plans. The Board of Directors is additionally responsible for the fulfillment of the scientific, charitable and legal obligations of the Institute.

Ahmed Hamdy, M.B.B.Ch., is a physician with 12 years of hands-on clinical research experience in academia and 9 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Dr Hamdy has extensive pharmaceutical industry experience in planning, designing and executing clinical trials. Since July 2008, he has served as Therapeutic Area Head at Elan Pharmaceuticals responsible for the additional indications for alpha integrin inhibitor molecules. Before then, he worked as the General Medicine Therapeutic Area Head at PDL BioPharma and as a medical director at Johnson and Johnson/ALZA, and as a Senior Principal Scientist at Watson Pharmaceuticals. He has also participated in multiple INDs in oncology and autoimmune diseases that led to successful phase I and phase II programs. Dr Hamdy received his M.B.B.Ch (equivalent to an M.D.) from Cairo University, Egypt. In 1990, Dr Hamdy was a visiting Scientist at the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta Georgia. In 1993 he worked as a Graduate Fellow at the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where he joined the experimental Pathology Graduate Program.

Michael R. Hardaway, J.D. is a patent attorney specializing in the electronic and mechanical arts. His career has ranged from Marine Corps Fighter Pilot during the Vietnam Era to electrical engineer. Mr. Hardaway has two sons, one of whom develops pharmaceutical delivery systems and one of whom is an information technology manager. Mr. Hardaway is also the proud grandparent of one! Mr. Hardaway uses his free time to pursue his hobby of bike racing. Mr. Hardaway received his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Cal Poly, and was awarded his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona. He is the current Secretary for the Board of Directors.

Gary R. Sigman began his own consultant practice in 2001 and is a frequent speaker and trainer for biopharma organizations. Following previous careers in media production and financial services, Mr. Sigman joined the pharmaceutical practice of a global human resources solutions provider in 1992. During the next six years, he played an integral role in the growth and management of that practice, which grew from two consultants to more than 100 during his tenure. In 1998, Mr. Sigman became the head of business development and corporate operations for a newly-public clinical research services company, with responsibility for managing a four-fold expansion in company size, as well as being responsible for development of the company's services in Europe.

Cole Strickland, MBA is a financial advisor at The Capitol Quorum who specializes in 401(k) management and professional portfolio and retirement services. Formerly a Senior Sales Manager with AT&T wireless, Mr. Strickland assisted in major implementations of wireless deployment for the State of California, the county and city of Santa Cruz, and San Benito County. He also supervised cash management, capital improvement budgets and regulatory negotiations for multiple wireless carriers. Mr. Strickland joined the Board of Directors in 2004 and is active in the planning, marketing and development of Institute events and fundraisers. Mr. Strickland received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a Masters of Science in Business from California State University, San Francisco. He currently serves as the Treasurer for the Board of Directors.

John Winterle, Ph. D. is a Research Associate at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Winterle has served on the Board of Directors since 1999 and as the Director of Research since 2001. Dr. Winterle's background includes positions as the Director and Department Head at Syntex Research (Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences), as well as Roche Bioscience in Palo Alto, CA. Dr. Winterle has participated in the development and commercial licensing of five pharmaceutical products including ganciclovir and naproxen, and has 28 scientific publications and 16 significant registration documents on file. Dr. Winterle received a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honors) in Chemistry from Florida State University, and was awarded his Doctorate in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology. He is also a patent agent.