About Us

Reem Mahrat is an accomplished leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, known for her visionary roles and pioneering initiatives. With a career spanning over two decades, Reem has been at the forefront of transformative healthcare innovations and a steadfast advocate for precision medicine. 

Reem's influence extends to her Advisor role at Daybreak Labs and her founding and CEO roles at RamanID, Calico Biolabs, Inc., Verano Bioscience, and Precision Biopharma. She has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in these diverse positions, driving progress in both scientific and technological domains. 

As a passionate advocate for precision medicine, Reem actively promotes advancements in healthcare through her involvement with the American Association for Precision Medicine. She envisions a future where personalized healthcare and compassion intersect to revolutionize healthcare solutions while also advocating for women's empowerment in the industry. 

Aditi integrates an interdisciplinary approach to discovery efforts at Eaze Bio, where she brings more than 15 years of experience in core Biological Research. Aditi received her M.Sc. in

Biomedical Genetics from Vellore Institute of Technology, India. She has had some exciting roles in the field of Cytogenetics diagnostics for human cancers, infertility, embryonic and

neonatal genetic abnormalities. Carrying these interests Aditi pursued a doctoral degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Southern Methodist University, Dallas) studying signaling mechanisms at the molecular and genetic level with her thesis research focusing on the

pathways of viral carcinogenesis. Aditi has a keen interest in understanding the mechanisms underlying human pathologies, she applies this knowledge combined with her background in

cellular signaling pathways to elucidate disease prevention and management solutions applicable in real life. She has an expertise in cell-based assays and directs research efforts at Eaze Bio.

Janelle Muranaka is an accomplished Executive with a proven track record of scaling biotechnology startups from seed funding through clinical development. Combining technical expertise in cell and molecular biology, vaccine development, and protein engineering with strong leadership, Janelle has built operational frameworks that drive growth and innovation.

Key achievements include scaling Meissa Vaccines through Phase I clinical trials, founding Maxygen LLC to deliver advanced protein optimization services, and transforming Altravax into a revenue-driven organization. Known for strategic planning, team building, and fostering cross-functional collaboration, Janelle ensures alignment between R&D and business operations to achieve ambitious corporate goals.

With a passion for cultivating efficiency and quality, Janelle is dedicated to advancing life sciences innovation through operational excellence and strategic leadership. Complementing her professional experience, Janelle is an active contributor to the life sciences community, where she volunteers as an advisor and an organizer for industry events, sharing insights on scaling startups, operational strategy, and innovation in biotechnology.

Meryem Rqibate, M.D., MBA in Healthcare Services, exemplifies a lifelong dedication to advancing women’s health while mastering the art of balancing professional and personal commitments. As Director of Operations and Biosafety Officer at Daybreak Labs—the first biotech incubator in the Tri-Valley—she combines strategic acumen with hands-on experience to drive business development, marketing, and operational excellence. Meryem’s work has been instrumental in guiding early-stage startups through complex challenges, helping them innovate and thrive in highly competitive markets. Her career reflects a profound commitment to women’s health, shaped by both personal and professional experiences. At age 30, she underwent bypass surgery for a congenital condition tied to a family history of diethylstilbestrol exposure, a pivotal moment that deepened her resolve to advocate for women’s health. This personal journey complements her academic achievements, including a Doctorate in Medicine from the University Hassan II Casablanca and certifications in Medical Statistics (Stanford University School of Medicine) and Python Programming (University of California San Diego). Her research, including a thesis on the risks of C-sections on scarred uterine tissue that earned exchange honors, underscores her dedication to addressing critical issues in women’s health. Meryem’s remarkable journey is made even more extraordinary by her ability to juggle these achievements alongside her roles as a devoted mother to three fabulous children, a supportive and outstanding wife, and a caring daughter. Her family is central to her life, and she seamlessly blends her personal and professional worlds with grace and determination. A keen runner, she finds inspiration and balance in running, which mirrors her relentless drive and focus in all areas of her life. Her leadership, resilience, and multidisciplinary expertise make her an invaluable advisor. She is a trusted voice in healthcare innovation and a passionate advocate for advancing women’s roles and well-being in society. Meryem’s ability to inspire and guide others stems from decades of reliability and commitment, qualities that have shone brightly since the early days of her journey. 

Ying's unwavering passion for enhancing public health and translating complex scientific concepts into impactful outcomes is genuinely inspiring. With over a dozen years of experience in project management, scientific research, and medical education, Ying brings a unique blend of global cross-functional team leadership, gene-editing and stem cells technical expertise, and strategic insight into every endeavor. 

Renowned for driving innovation and efficiency, Ying has successfully overseen thousands of global CRISPR gene-editing projects (Abcam). Her expertise spans optimizing processes, leading cross-functional teams globally, and bridging the gap between R&D and operations (internal), particularly in the biotechnology sectors. Ying also fosters collaboration with customers directly (external).

Her academic achievements (Michigan State University) are a testament to her expertise: 13 peer-reviewed article publications, 2 NIH grant applications in stem cell biology, and several patent submissions. These accomplishments underscore her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and her ability to deliver results. 

Since 2020, Ying has extended her passion to medical education. She teaches college-level Human Anatomy and Physiology courses at UC Berkeley Extension. Her active volunteering at the Association Clinical Research Profession Northern California Chapter further demonstrates her dedication to enhancing public health. 

Ying's broad and blended expertise in R&I, R&D, and operations, mixed experience in academia and the biotech industry, and her passion for public health will significantly complement the EAZEbio.

William D. Howell, M.D., Ph.D. is a physician-scientist who trained in anatomic, clinical, and molecular genetic pathology at Stanford University and internal medicine at the University of Utah. He “knocked out” a gene essential for mouse gastrulation and described the phenotype for his Ph.D. work in Mario Capecchi’s lab. Following completion of his clinical training, he provided pathology services tailored to pharmaceutical development for several CROs contracting with Abbvie, Roche/Genentech, Gilead, Armo, Medimmune, Cytomx, Tesaro, BD, Pharmacyclics, Stemcentrx, Avast, Curis, Peloton, Pulse Biosciences, Halozyme, and Atreca. He was one of four pathologists contributing to a 510K submission of an early computer-aided breast cancer immunohistochemical marker quantitation system for Roche/Ventana/BioImagene. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was the CMO of a startup repurposing a drug with unique immunomodulatory and antiviral mechanisms of action for the treatment of acute and long-term COVID-19. He worked for the diagnostic startup, RamanID, as CMO achieved a successful exit in 2024.  

Dr. Akshiv Malhotra is a board-certified medical oncologist at UCSF Health, where he is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to cancer patients. With multiple peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Malhotra’s expertise spans a range of oncology treatments, and he is particularly passionate about improving patient care, enhancing cancer prevention, and making quality healthcare accessible to all.

Dr. Malhotra’s medical journey began in India, where he earned his medical degree, giving him a unique global perspective and a deep understanding of healthcare challenges in resource-poor settings. This experience drives his commitment to delivering comprehensive care and ensuring every patient receives the attention they deserve.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Malhotra is dedicated to lifelong learning and exploring innovative ways to improve cancer treatment outcomes. He believes in the value of service to his patients, always striving to enhance their care experience in the clinic and beyond.

Dr. Vinod Reddy Lekkala is a dedicated scientist with extensive expertise in organoid development and stem cell biology. He focuses on personalized retinal organoid generation and using the CRISPR approach to correct rare mutations. Making complex tissue

organoid models using cell engineering technologies. Also, he established protocols for generating endodermal organoids from hiPSCs, which significantly reduced time and cost. His

work also includes the development of complex multicellular vascular hepatic organoids from hiPSCs, as well as organoids (both normal and tumor) derived from primary tissues.