Mary Jo Baarsch

Mary Jo has over 20 years of experience working in the life sciences, helping companies develop products for animals and people. She has a PhD in microbiology, a business degree, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota. Mary Jo has worked for major corporations including Pfizer and SmithKline Beecham in various research-related roles. After establishing her own consulting company in 2000 (BioInsight, now Gaviidae Consulting), she was engaged by both small and mid-sized biotechnology companies and the United States government to perform a variety of services including strategic planning, project management, licensing and contract negotiations, and portfolio valuations.

Mary Jo also has leadership experience and was hired as COO of Syntiron to lead a research and development team of 25 scientists with a multi-million dollar budget and P&L responsibilities to develop vaccines of global significance. From 2016 to 2018, Mary Jo was VP of Biologics for Pharmgate Animal Health to develop and manufacture veterinary vaccines. As adjunct professor with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Mary Jo remains involved with veterinary and graduate student education.