How Do I Fund My Science?

Bill Martin leads the neuroscience therapeutic area of Janssen Research & Development, LLC in discovering and developing important new therapies for people living with brain disorders. Prior to joining BlackThorn, Martin worked at Theravance Biopharma, where his responsibilities ranged from drug discovery and development, to research portfolio planning and business development. He is the chair of SfN’s Government and Public Affairs Committee. Martin graduated from Swarthmore College and earned his PhD from Brown University. He conducted postdoctoral research at the Keck Center for Integrative Neuroscience at the University of California, San Francisco.

Nancy L. Desmond is an associate director in the division of neuroscience and basic behavioral science (DNBBS) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Before joining NIH in 2003, she was an associate professor of neurosurgery and a member of the neuroscience graduate program at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She was the principal investigator on grants from NIMH/NIH and NSF that focused on understanding synaptic modification in the hippocampus. She obtained her PhD in physiological psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and did postdoctoral training in neuroscience at the University of Virginia. At NIMH, Nancy directs the DNBBS Office of Research Training and Career Development, co-coordinates research training for NIMH, and is chief of the neuroendocrinology and neuroimmunology program. She has contributed to multiple NIH-wide efforts on research training and career development, including co-chairing the NIH Training Advisory Committee and participating in NIH Roadmap and Blueprint for Neuroscience Research training initiatives. Nancy also served as the acting NIH research training officer, leading the re-issuance of the parent NIH training and career development funding announcements and contributing to the implementation of recommendations from the Biomedical Research Workforce Working Group to the NIH Advisory Committee to the Director. Current NIH-level activities include co-chairing the policy subcommittee of the NIH Training Advisory Committee; co-coordinating the working group for the NIH Common Fund Program, Strengthening the Biomedical Research Workforce; and participating in the Trans-NIH Microbiome Working Group.

Hemai Parthasarathy is the scientific director of the Thiel Foundation and its program to support early-stage, radical science-based companies, Breakout Labs. She is responsible for establishing the scientific priorities of the program, evaluating submitted proposals, and monitoring the progress of portfolio companies against their milestones.

James Deshler is the deputy director for the Division of Biological Infrastructure in the Biological Sciences Directorate at the National Science Foundation where he oversees training and infrastructure programs aimed to promote fundamental research across the biological sciences. He also co-chairs the “Understanding the Brain” coordinating group which oversees neuroscience programs across NSF. He received his undergraduate and PhD degrees in molecular genetics and molecular biology at University of California, Los Angeles and completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School.

Heather Snyder is the director of medical and scientific operations at the Alzheimer's Association. She oversees the Association's International Research Grant Program, the mechanism through which the Association funds research applications. Snyder reviews of applications and oversees the distribution of awards to successful applicants, and she is responsible for the dissemination of results and ongoing investigations to a wide range of audiences.