IQ MPS 

Jason Ekert, PhD, MBA

Past Chair (2022-2023)

Senior Director, GlaxoSmithKline

Dr. Jason Ekert is Senior Director, GSK Fellow and Head of the Complex In Vitro Models (CIVM) group at GlaxoSmithKline. He is responsible for an integrated enterprise strategy for R&D applications of complex human-relevant and translatable complex in vitro models (eg Spheroids, Organoids, Microphysiological systems and bioprinting). He leads a cross-functional matrix team at GSK that is a multi-disciplinary team which coordinates activities, collaborates externally and identifies ready soon platforms that can positively impact the GSK portfolio.

Before joining GSK he worked at Janssen in biotherapeutic drug discovery in target discovery, drug validation and mechanism of action studies applying complex cell-based assays across multiple therapeutic areas. Jason received his PhD from Adelaide University. Post-doctoral training was performed at University of California, Davis and Coriell Institute for Medical Research.

Szczepan Baran, MS, VMD

Chair (2022-2023)

Head of Emerging Technologies, Novartis

Szczepan is a Comparative Medicine Veterinarian & Scientist turned “technology geek” who currently heads the Global Emerging Technologies (GET) within Comparative Medicine at Novartis. In this position, Szczepan leads integrated enterprise strategy for digital and non-digital technologies. Specifically, the non-digital GET initiative focuses on stakeholder engagement to understand current status and application, identifies adaptation hurdles and develops qualification pathways for Microphysiological Systems (MPS) technologies. In parallel, the goal of the digital GET initiative is coordination and prioritization of the development and integrated use of patient-relevant and translatable digital biomarkers for efficacy and safety studies and Extended Reality (XR) technologies for telemedicine. Szczepan has played instrumental roles in founding and leading the Global Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) MPS and Digital Biomarkers Groups.

Szczepan is a graduate of the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his residency in Laboratory Animal Medicine and received a Master of Science degree in Comparative Medicine from the University of Washington School of Medicine. Szczepan began his career at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center as a Research Associate where he was recruited to develop the first canine embryonic stem cell lines and to collaborate on the development of novel canine transplantation protocols to eliminate graft-versus-host disease.

Rhiannon N Hardwick, PhD, DABT

Vice Chair (2023-2023)

Scientific Associate Director, Bristol Myers Squibb

Rhiannon is a Scientific Associate Director in Discovery Toxicology at Bristol Myers Squibb San Diego where she oversees an in vitro toxicology laboratory and serves as a project toxicologist for discovery phase programs. Her laboratory interests include the use of complex in vitro models and microphysiological systems in the identification and characterization of tox liabilities to support discovery programs. In her role as a project toxicologist, she is responsible for the proactive design and execution of nonclinical toxicology studies to support successful candidate nomination. Previously, Rhiannon worked as a Senior Scientist in Translational Safety Sciences and project toxicologist for discovery and development phase programs at Theravance Biopharma. Collaborating with representatives from safety assessment, DMPK, and pharmacology, she implemented and served as lead for an internal working group aimed at expanding knowledge and integrating the use of complex in vitro models in the drug development process at Theravance Biopharma.

Rhiannon achieved a BS in biochemistry and BFA in dance from the University of Oklahoma where she was also selected as a McNair Research Scholar. She attained her PhD from the University of Arizona by investigating the impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression on ADME-related genes, drug disposition, and toxicity using a combination of human liver tissue data and rodent models of disease. In her postdoctoral studies at the University of North Carolina and the Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Rhiannon shifted her focus to in vitro liver models to investigate the regulation of efflux drug transporter function and zonal differences in nuclear receptor activation and hepatocyte response. Rhiannon then leveraged her in vivo and in vitro liver knowledge to lead a team focused on improving functional features of a 3D bioprinted liver model and expanding disease modeling capabilities while at Organovo. Rhiannon is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology and an active member of the Society of Toxicology and the American College of Toxicology.

Anna K. Kopec, PhD

Vice Chair Elect (2022-2022)

Senior Principal Scientist Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer

Anna is a Senior Principal Scientist within Cellular and Mechanistic Toxicology group in Drug Safety Research & Development at Pfizer where she provides strategic guidance on the utility and context-driven application of novel complex in vitro models. She received a dual major PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Environmental Toxicology from Michigan State University where she continued as a Postdoctoral Research Associate and subsequently as a Research Assistant Professor investigating mechanisms linking coagulation and liver repair in models of liver injury.

Anna has co-authored 43 peer-reviewed publications. Anna has been a productive member of the Society of Toxicology for the last 15 years and is looking forward to contributing her enthusiasm and energy to the IQ MPS Leadership.