Girish Aakalu, Ph.D.

Girish Aakalu, Ph.D. has a long and varied work experience, beginning in 2002 as a Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting. In 2005, they moved to Genentech, where they held roles as Business Development and Senior Manager, Oncology Pipeline Market Planning. In 2007, they joined Pfizer as Executive Director and Head of Strategy, Innovation, & Operations (External R&D Innovation), and Director, Strategic Planning (Biotherapeutics and Bioinnovation Center / Pfizer Global R&D). In 2015, they moved to Ipsen, where they held roles as Vice President and Global Head of External Innovation, Vice President and Head of Global Scientific Affairs & Scientific Intelligence, and Vice President, Scientific Affairs North America. In 2018, they joined Genocea as Chief Business Officer, and in 2022 they were appointed Chief Executive Officer at Phenomic.

Girish Aakalu, Ph.D. began their education in 1992 when they earned a B.A. in Biophysics from The Johns Hopkins University which they completed in 1996. Girish then pursued a M.S. in Biology from Caltech, which they completed in 1999. Girish continued their studies at Caltech, earning their Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology in 2002. In 2014, they attended Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management and completed a course in Corporate Governance: Effectiveness and Accountability in the Boardroom.