Damen Schaak

Damen Schaak is a Clinical Research Manager at St. Peter's Health Partners, overseeing operations at the St. Peter’s Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Research Institute since August 2025. Prior to this role, Damen served as Principal Scientist and Strain & Molecular Genetics Research Manager at Ecovative Design from July 2013 to March 2025, focusing on scientific innovation and business operations related to myceliated biomaterials and genetic research. Additionally, Damen was a Senior Research Scientist and Program Manager at Ecovative Design, leading investigations into the genetics of cultivated fungal strains. Damen began the research career as a Research Scientist at Health Research, Inc. from December 2002 to July 2013, concentrating on Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a Biological Safety Level 3 Laboratory. Damen holds a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology from the State University of New York Cortland, earned in 2002.