Magda Gunn

Dynamic scientist and project and portfolio management professional with over ten years of international experience leading innovation in healthcare and biotech, translating science into patient relevant outcomes. Skilled in facilitating large scale cross-sector, multi-disciplinary collaborations by building and maintaining strategic alliances with various partners, stakeholders and KOLs. Demonstrated excellence in project leadership and portfolio management.

Adept at both high-level strategic analysis and in depth, detail-oriented execution. Ability to develop and implement new strategies and processes to drive progression of multiple high priority projects simultaneously while adhering to an acute attention to detail and focus on results.

INNOVATIVE HEALTH INITIATIVE (IHI), Brussels, Belgium 2012 – 2023

INNOVATIVE MEDICINES INITIATIVE (IMI), Brussels, Belgium

Scientific Project Manager

• Directed a portfolio of substantial international projects through the coordination of cross-functional teams and external collaborations with various public and private partners from pharmaceutical, biotech, IT, devices and vaccine sectors. 
• Facilitated the entire lifecycle of each project from idea generation through networking, peer review moderation, and contract negotiation, provided administrative, scientific, and financial oversight throughout the project lifetime. 
• Guided the horizontal portfolio monitoring task force through strategic project deliberations to develop a performance monitoring and evaluation framework for the assessment of IMI public-private programs. 
• Leveraged the IMI program to measure and demonstrate its achievements and impacts to inform future decision-making and policy standards. 
• Established targeted strategies for patient engagement, co-creation and outreach through patient organizations and advocacy groups. 
• Initiated and managed a large-scale framework contract with Clarivate (Thomson Reuters) on the bibliometric analysis of IMI portfolio research outputs and delivered annual reports. 
• Secured partnerships and investments into the IMI program through exceptional communication and negotiating skills. 

SOMALOGIC, Boulder, Colorado 2007 – 2011

Project Lead & Scientist II

• Planned and executed major partner projects for the discovery and development of DNA aptamer therapeutics.
• Collaborated extensively with partner company project managers to achieve key milestones. 
• Fostered rapport and a positive relationship with CRO labs in animal study design and outsourcing. 
• Spearheaded the development of OneTaq™ DNA Polymerase product as Lead Scientist on a unique collaboration with New England Biolabs.
• Created customized tools and high throughput screening methods with a focus on performance and pharmacokinetics optimization. 
• Developed customized in vitro screening methods and biochemical assays.
• Improved staff capabilities through practical training. 
• Partnered with outside collaborators to ensure successful transfer of technology. 

Ph.D. in Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Thesis: “In Vitro Selection of RNA Sequences that Mediate the Formation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles”

Master of Science in Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland

Thesis: “Coupling of the H-site to the molecular dimensions and association in N-H--N hydrogen bond.”

Keck Foundation Fellowship

Fellowship, Graduate School of North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Scientific Scholarship, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland