Allen JavanpourIntern, RNA Production
Angel LeuSenior Research Associate, Frontier Science
Arisa Iga CaleResearch Associate I, RNA Production
Banibrata (Bani) GhoshSenior Research Associate, Analytical
Bijan GodarziResearch Associate I, Frontier Science
Carina WimerResearch Associate II, Drug Discovery
Carlos Perez-GarciaSenior Scientist, Drug Discovery
Cheryl ChanIntern, Analytical Development
Christine (Christy) EsauVice President of Research and Development
Christine Esau joined Arcturus in 2015 and serves as Vice President of Research and Development. She most recently served as Arcturus’ Senior Director of Translational Research. Dr. Esau was previously lead biologist at Ionis Pharmaceuticals and Regulus Therapeutics and served as Chief Scientific Officer of AptamiR Therapeutics. She has performed pioneering work in microRNA biology and anti-miRNA targeting technology development, resulting in landmark, highly cited papers and early patent filings. As lead biologist for the anti-miR-122 program for treatment of HCV with Regulus, she moved the program from discovery biology to lead compound selection, directing pharmacology, PK/PD, safety, and mechanism of action studies. At Regulus, she led exploratory efforts to identify novel microRNA targets for metabolic diseases, in the process establishing an extensive network of academic collaborators. Dr. Esau led the anti-miR-33 program for atherosclerosis which came out of these efforts and was the basis for Regulus’ partnership with Astra-Zeneca. While Chief Scientific Officer of AptamiR Therapeutics, Dr. Esau worked to develop a microRNA based therapy for the treatment of obesity. Dr. Esau earned a B.S. degree in biology from the California Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Christopher GaviganIntern, Frontier Science
Daiki MatsudaSenior Scientist, Frontier Science
Daniel HwangSenior Staff Accountant
Flora HuynhSenior Research Associate, Analytical/Lab Coordinator
Hanyi (Han) ChangResearch Associate I, Formulation Development
Hari BhaskaranScientist I, Transnational Biology
Hazel SantosAccounts Payable Specialist
Inna KoukharevaSenior Manager, Analytical Development
Jae Heon (Jay) KimIntern, Formulation Development
Jared DavisDirector, RNA Process Development
Jenny ParkScientist I, RNA Sciences
Jerel VegaSenior Research Associate, Formulation Development
Jennifer PerkinsExecutive Assistant
Jocelyn OngFront Desk Coordinator/Administrative Assistant I
Jonathan BushResearch Associate I, Formulation Development
KC KummerfeldSenior Director, Finance & Corporate Controller
Manual (Manny) JuarezFacilities, Shipping/Receiving Coordinator
Rebecque LabaVice President of Finance & Operations
Rebecque Laba joined Arcturus in August 2017 and serves as Vice President of Finance and Operations. Ms. Laba was previously Vice President, Finance and Corporate Operations at Celladon Corporation where she led the company through a successful IPO and raised over $100MM in private equity and debt. Prior to Celladon Ms. Laba served as Senior Director, Finance and Administration at Idun Pharmaceuticals which was acquired by Pfizer in 2005. Ms. Laba has over 18 years of experience in the life sciences and over 25 years of experience in finance and operations.
Kiyoshi TachikawaSenior Research Fellow
Kim McAdenPurchasing Manager
Lena CeballosSenior Research Associate, Analytical Development
Lishuang (Lily) XuResearch Associate II, Drug Discovery
Maher AlayyoubiScientist II, RNA Process Development
Marciano SabladScientist II, Translational Biology
Michael (Mike) CuddyResearch Associate III, Drug Discovery
Michelle NguyenResearch Associate I, Analytical Development
Mike MatsumotoResearch Associate I, Drug Discovery
Pad ChivukulaScientific Advisor
Dr. Chivukula previously served as Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd. and was formerly on Arcturus’ Board since March 2013. Prior to Arcturus, from June 2008 until February 2013, Dr. Chivukula was employed by Nitto Denko Corporation, where his titles included Group Leader and Chief Scientist, and where he led the polymeric RNAi research department. Dr. Chivukula's background includes over 15 years of experience in drug delivery and therapeutic drug development at Nitto Denko Corporation and the University of Utah. Dr. Chivukula has a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Utah where he specialized in lipid-mediated delivery systems and technology.
Parsa ParirokhResearch Associate I, RNA Process Development
Pattraranee (Patty) LimphongSenior Manager, RNA Process Development
Priya KarmaliSr. Director, Pharmaceutical Development
Priya Karmali is Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Development at Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd. Dr. Karmali joined Arcturus in 2015 and is responsible for research and development efforts for LUNAR™ technology, Arcturus’ lipid mediated nucleic acid delivery system. She has over 15 years of experience in the field of lipid-based drug delivery systems from discovery to development. Prior to Arcturus, Priya was Associate Director of Formulation Development at Regulus Therapeutics where she led drug product development efforts for miRNA therapeutic drugs currently in various stages of clinical trials. Prior to joining Regulus, Priya was a Principal Scientist at Nitto Denko where she led formulation development efforts for their Vitamin A targeted siRNA lipid nanoparticle for treatment of liver fibrosis. Dr. Karmali has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology where she specialized in development of novel liposomal nucleic acid delivery systems for use in non-viral gene therapy and DNA vaccination. She is an author or inventor on over 35 scientific publications and patents.
Rajesh MukthavaramScientist I, Formulation Development
Ramon Diaz TrellesScientist II, Frontier Science
Robin LeeSenior Research Associate, Formulation Development
Samuel LeeResearch Associate I, RNA Process Development
Samantha MurphyAssociate Director, Business Development
Scott RobertsSenior Manager, CMC
Sharon LeeResearch Associate I, Frontier Science
Mark HerbertInterim President
Mark R. Herbert is Interim President of Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd. Mr. Herbert joined Arcturus in 2015, and previously served as Vice President of Business Development and Alliance Management. He previously was Head of U.S. Business Development and Sales at STA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., WuXi AppTec’s small molecule development and manufacturing division, where he was responsible for all North American business development and marketing activities. Prior to WuXi AppTec, Mr. Herbert served as Director of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2013.
Wendy TaylorDirector, Project Management
Steven LyResearch Associate I, Analytical Development
Nancy FuselliDirector, Quality & Regulatory Affairs
Stuart CollinsonExecutive Chair of the Board
ThanhChau DamResearch Associate II, Translational Biology
Thu LeIntern, Formulation Development
Tran TrinhResearch Associate I, RNA Process Development
Kumar RajappanPrincipal Scientist, Chemistry
Jose GonzalezResearch Associate I, Translational Biology
Xuequn (Helen) HuaAssociate Director, Translational Biology
Yanjie (Belle) BaoScientist II, Formulation Development
Yi KuoIntern, RNA Production
Adam PavlicekBioinformatics Consultant
Carol HidalgoHuman Resources Consultant
Michael HodgesR&D & Medical Consultant
Steve TanisChemistry Consultant
Founded in 2013 and based in San Diego, California, Arcturus Therapeutics is an industry leader in the application of RNA technologies for the treatment of disease and improved quality of life. The company’s aim is to develop breakthrough technology and novel therapeutics for rare diseases for which there is no adequate treatment. Backed by a management team with extensive experience in the discovery and development of RNA medicines, Arcturus is on the forefront of research and development of RNA chemistry and delivery technologies.