Biopharma

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Officers

Leadership

James Park
Co-Chair
james.park@chicagobooth.edu
James is a corporate financial consultant in the corporate transactions group at Health Care Service Corporation (BlueCross BlueShield IL, TX, NM, OK). In this role, James, works across the M&A transaction process from evaluating healthcare companies to completing the acquisition of a company. Prior to joining Health Care Service Corporation, James worked in corporate finance and also business consulting operations at Charles River Associates (CRA). Prior to joining CRA, James founded and operated a web development company, VillageSmart Web Development. James holds a M.S. in Technological Entreprenurship from Babson College, Maestría en Innovación Tecnológica from Tec de Monterrey (Mexico), and a B.A. from the University of California, Irvine.

Jasmin Patel
Co-Chair
jpatel0@chicagobooth.edu
Jasmin has a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing science from the University of Illinois and currently works for the University of Chicago Office of the VP for Research and National Labs. Her role involves strategically developing and coordinating large scale interdisciplinary research programs across the University, Argonne National Laboratory, and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. She works closely with faculty, scientists, and administrative leaders to conceptualize and develop projects from the early stages. Previously, Jasmin managed oncology clinical trials at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Prior to joining the university, she worked with the clinical operations group at Ziopharm Oncology, a Boston based biotech company.

Evelina Kim
Co-Chair
ekim0@chicagobooth.edu
Evelina has spent last 7 years of her career with Abbott Laboratories. Most recently, as an engineering functional lead on cross-functional Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) teams, she developed and scaled up processes for manufacturing API for late stage drug candidates in Global Pharmaceutical R&D. Earlier she performed similar function in Abbott Diagnostics Division. One of the most exciting projects involved improving and scaling up a process to manufacture several PRISM microparticle reagents (PRISM is a high throughput fully automated instrument for blood screening) in order to prepare for US PRISM launch. Currently, Evelina is seeking to change her career direction from technical to business. With that purpose she is pursuing an MBA in General Management and Finance and wants to share her experience / learn from others through involvement in Booth Biopharma Club. Evelina holds a Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison (2004) and bachelor degrees in Chemical Engineering and Piano Performance from Ohio State (1997).

Leo Miliades
Co-Chair
lMiliade@chicagobooth.edu
Leo has 12 years of combined working experience in the Life Sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical systems. Leo started his career with Cap Gemini, in technology and later in management consulting roles. He focused in the Life Sciences and gained experience in solution architecture, business process transformation, change management, IT strategy and project management.  For the past eight years, Leo continues his career at Abbott’s Commercial Division (Pharmaceutical Products Division). During his tenure, Leo routinely partnered with Vendors, Sales Operations, Quality Assurance, Finance and Corporate IT to identify future transformation opportunities for the divisions’ Sales Force Effectiveness and Alignment platform. Leo managed cross-functional projects that delivered FDA compliant operational enhancements to the SFE & A platform. As a regulatory SME, he successfully defended his department against regulatory corporate audits.  Currently, Leo works at the division’s Program Management Office where he is involved in change management and product launch related projects.  Leo earned a bachelor of science in computer engineering and a master of science in computer science from the University of Illinois. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP) since 2005 and is now earning an MBA at Booth with concentrations in strategy, management and marketing.  

Yuchuan Gong
Co-Chair
ygong0@chicagobooth.edu 

Matthew Starks
Co-Chair
mstark@chicagobooth.edu