Biographies of Panel Speakers

Cynthia L. Bristow, MS, PhD

Cynthia Bristow is a medical immunologist whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in how immune cells discriminate foreign material (antigens) from nutrients and inert material (self). She discovered that the abundant blood protein, alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (Alpha-1), regulates the number of CD4 helper immune cells in blood. Immune cells are the primary means of cholesterol transport, and because CD4 helper immune cells make up the majority of immune cells, Alpha-1 is also prominent in regulating cholesterol. Bristow is currently conducting her 2nd clinical trial on using Alpha-1 to restore the immune system and correct cholesterol dysregulation and is developing diagnostics and therapeutics based on Alpha-1.

Bristow received a B.A. with General Honors in Mathematics from Winthrop University, an M.S. in Biometry and Ph.D. in Basic and Clinical Immunology and Microbiology from the Medical University of South Carolina. Bristow currently holds a position as Director of Research of the non-profit Institute for Human Genetics and Biochemistry and is founder and CEO of Alpha-1 Biologics Corporation. She completed a clinical fellowship in Medical Laboratory Immunology (CPEP) before taking on the study of dendritic cells at The Rockefeller University in the laboratory of Dr. Ralph Steinman, 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, and was formerly an assistant professor in Hematology and Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Contact Information:

cynthia.bristow@alpha1biologics.com

www.alpha1biologics.com

John Robert Coleman

Dr. Coleman, together with Dr. Wimmer and Dr. Mueller co-discovered the SAVE technology and co-founded Codagenix, Inc. His work focuses on rational gene design for vaccine construction. He has multiple high impact publications, is the primary investigator on externally funded research projects, and has project management skills in small business and biotechnology. Dr. Coleman completed his MBA in finance while simultaneously co-founding Codagenix Inc., conducting research as a postdoc, and teaching/researching as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Coleman’s cross-functional skill set (strong science and finance) is capable of enhancing and expediting R & D milestones and will allow him to lead all facets of the R & D process.

www.codagenix.com