Veena Krishnappa is an accomplished professional in the life sciences sector, currently serving as a member of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Capital Access Working Group at California Life Sciences. With extensive experience in mentorship and advisory roles, Veena holds positions as a Key Opinion Leader for Partnerships Strategy at Biotech Connection - Bay Area, Inc., and as a mentor for MassBio and Nucleate, where contributions as an advisor and workshop expert are also notable. Additionally, Veena acts as a Strategic Advisor for StealthCo, supported by NSF I-Corps, Duke University, and Merck. Academic credentials include a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Sciences from Scripps Research and a Master's degree in Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology from Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University.