We have assembled a team with deep experience and disease expertise, and a proven track record in the design, development, and manufacturing of successful gene therapies and biological medicines.

A trailblazer in the fields of health and technology through the innovative use of molecular biology and advanced biologics, Tom Chalberg is a scientist, entrepreneur, and executive in Silicon Valley. Before founding Genascence, Tom was Founder and CEO of SightGlass Vision, Inc., which was acquired by a joint venture between CooperVision and EssilorLuxottica in 2021. Previously, Tom was Chief Operating Officer of Oncorus, Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCR); and Founder and CEO of Avalanche Biotechnologies (now Adverum Biotechnologies; NASDAQ: ADVM). He is Partner at Polymerase Capital, and currently serves on the boards of iRenix Medical (executive chairman), Ethris GmbH, and Chameleon Biosciences.

Tom has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer, by Allicense for ‘Breakthrough Deal of the Year,’ and by the Foundation Fighting Blindness for his pioneering contributions to research and development. Tom has spent nearly two decades in oncology and ophthalmology developing novel therapies and life-changing products to improve people’s vision and eye health. He is an inventor on more than 20 distinct patent families.

Tom earned a PhD in genetics from Stanford University School of Medicine, an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, and a BA in biochemical sciences from Harvard University.

Jeymi Tambiah is a physician-scientist with more than 15 years’ biopharmaceutical industry experience in medical affairs, clinical development, translational medicine, and health outcomes research. Jeymi is a visionary leader skilled at leveraging scientific and clinical expertise to build innovative first-in-class therapeutic programs in the areas of osteoarthritis, immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. His experience includes all phases of drug development from bench through Phase I-IV studies and building elite high performance medical affairs teams from inception.

Before joining Genascence, Jeymi was Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and External Innovation at Biosplice Therapeutics (formerly Samumed LLC), a start-up biotech developing molecules modulating mRNA splicing in osteoarthritis, oncology, and neurodegenerative diseases, where he was responsible for clinical development, thoughtleader relations, and external scientific partnerships. Previously, Jeymi worked for UCB Pharma in various roles of increasing leadership within medical affairs, launching the TNF-inhibitor certolizumab pegol within the European Union, UK, and U.S. across multiple immunology indications. Before his move into pharma, Jeymi trained and practiced in cardiothoracic surgery at Guys’ and St. Thomas’ Hospitals in London.

Jeymi is very active in the osteoarthritis research community, with numerous research awards and publications, holding many committee appointments, and regularly presenting at international conferences. He is the North American representative for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine UK, and in this role is dedicated to supporting the education and mentoring of physicians in drug development. Jeymi earned his medical degree from the University of Manchester, UK, a doctorate degree in vascular biology from Imperial College London where he was a Wellcome Research Fellow, and a BSc (Hons) in medical science from the University of St. Andrews, UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Edinburgh, a Member of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Physicians UK by Distinction, and a Fellow of the Academy of Physicians in Clinical Research.

Kathie Lee is a versatile, results-driven senior financial executive based in Silicon Valley with more than 30 years of experience in financial strategy, forecasting, budgeting, M&A, financial system implementations, accounting policy and controls, strategic plan development, and operational execution. She brings exceptional business acumen and sound judgment, exhibits strong initiative and a continuous improvement mindset, and cultivates strong business partnerships to form and execute strategy and business plans.

Kathie has provided CFO and other financial consulting services to more than 60 small-and medium-sized companies. Before launching her consultancy in 2012, she held various finance positions of increasing responsibility at eBay, Agilent, Hewlett Packard, and Neato Robotics. 

Kathie holds a BS in finance and management science from University of California, Berkeley.

Marianne is a seasoned clinical operations leader with 20 years of clinical research experience including 17 years in global clinical development across early and late phase studies. Marianne has led programs across a variety of therapeutic areas in oncology, respiratory, dermatology, allergy, and neurology. Before joining Genascence, Marianne served as a Senior Director in Clinical Operations at a small biotech company that focused on mast and stem cells diseases. Prior to that, she spent 16 years at Genentech initially working in the late phase global development group and then later in the research and early development group leading respiratory and allergy programs as a Clinical Program Director. During that time, she made significant contributions to key Genentech studies that led to FDA approvals of Erivedge, Kadcyla, and Venclexta. Marianne has led initiatives and forums to strengthen partnerships, promote collaboration and teamwork, foster belonging, and improve overall communication and business processes. She is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion on her clinical research programs and amongst her team, and has previously won an Inclusive Leadership award for Fostering Belonging.

Marianne received her B.S. degree in Health Science from San Francisco State University and a Master in Public Health degree from San Diego State University.

Chris Evans is the John and Posy Krehbiel Professor of Orthopedics and Director of the Musculoskeletal Gene Therapy Research Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic. Internationally recognized as an expert in musculoskeletal diseases, Chris is using his background in cell and molecular biology to solve clinical problems involving bones and joints. His research focuses on arthritis and tissue regeneration with gene therapy as the major technology platform. In recognition of these outstanding achievements, the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) bestowed upon Chris the Arthur Steindler, MD Award for understanding the musculoskeletal system and the Marshall R. Urist, MD Award for excellence in tissue regeneration. He is former president of the ORS, and was named an honorary fellow from Swansea University, Wales, U.K. 

Chris earned a PhD in biochemistry and a Doctor of Science from the University of Wales. He also holds an MA Honors Causa from Harvard University, an MA in history and philosophy of science from the University of Pittsburgh, and a BSc (Hons) in genetics and microbiology from the University of Wales. Chris completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular biology at Free University of Brussels.