Jim MacKrell is an accomplished biopharmaceutical professional with extensive experience in investments, strategic partnerships, and scientific innovation. Currently serving as Associate Vice President and Head of Lilly Ventures at Eli Lilly and Company since January 2013, Jim has a strong focus on business development. Previously held roles include Advisor for Portfolio Strategy and Next Generation Research, where Jim led drug discovery teams to develop therapies for Type 2 Diabetes and NASH, as well as Senior Research Scientist and Research Scientist, focusing on therapeutics in diabetes and muscle regeneration. Jim serves as a Board Observer for both Flare Therapeutics and Mediar Therapeutics and has a robust academic background with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Integrative Physiology from the University of Michigan Medical School and a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.