Karen Celis Villaluna

Karen Celis Villaluna has over 27 years of work experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Karen is currently the Vice President of Clinical Operations at ESSA Pharma, a role they have held since September 2022. Prior to this, they were the Executive Director of Clinical Operations at ESSA Pharma from January 2021 to September 2022. Before joining ESSA Pharma, Karen worked as a Clinical Operations Consultant at both Bausch Health Companies Inc. from August 2015 to December 2021 and Cleave Biosciences, Inc. from April 2019 to January 2021. Karen also held various roles at Cleave Biosciences, including Clinical Operations Consultant, Clinical Research Manager, and Senior Clinical Research Associate, from November 2014 to August 2016.

Karen's previous experience includes working as a Clinical Project Manager (Consultant) at NVS Technologies, Inc. from October 2013 to October 2015, as well as serving as a Clinical Operations Manager and Senior Clinical Research Associate at MacuSight, Inc. from August 2007 to October 2009 and from August 2007 to May 2008, respectively. Karen also worked as a Clinical Research Associate at Cardica, Inc. from December 2005 to August 2007.

Karen's earliest work experience in the industry was as a Life Science Research Tech. IV at Stanford University, where they worked from May 1994 to December 2005. Karen also briefly worked as a Research Associate at Telik, Inc. in 1998.

Karen Celis Villaluna obtained a Certificate in Clinical Trials Design & Management from San Francisco State University in the year 2006. Prior to this, they pursued a Graduate Program in Human Development & Family Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno from 1999 to 2001. Karen'sundergraduate education was completed at the University of San Francisco, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Biology between 1993 and 1998. Additionally, they obtained a certification in Clinical Trials Design & Management in August 2006, though the institution from which they obtained it is unknown.