| November 12, 2008 |
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ATHENA Young Professional Award Nominee: Laura Strong
by Forté Madison
Photo courtesy of The Business Forum
Laura Strong is one of the 17 nominees for the 2008 ATHENA Young Professional Award.
Laura Strong is one of the 17 nominees for the 2008 ATHENA Young Professional Award. This award honors emerging young leaders who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in his or her profession, and contribute time and energy into improving the quality of life for those in the community. Forté Madison is pleased to introduce this year's nominees. The winner will be revealed at an awards ceremony in mid-November.
Laura Strong
Professional Leadership
Laura Strong started with Quintessence as the first employee and wrote the business plan for commercialization of five proprietary technologies licensed from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. The plan was instrumental in raising initial capital from angel investors in 2001. After recruiting a president and CEO in 2002, Laura has supported additional fundraising campaigns for a total of over $13 million. Laura was promoted from Vice President of Business Development to President and COO in January 2007. Laura’s primary responsibility is the development and execution of strategies to advance the company’s proprietary cancer therapies through human clinical trials to the marketplace. Laura was integral in developing pre-IND and IND packages for a protein-based cancer therapeutic including the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls, Safety Pharmacology/Toxicology and Clinical sections. She also has planned and written successful applications for government funding programs including the SBIR program. She travels to scientific meetings as well as large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to develop relationships with collaborators and partners. Laura manages the company’s Scientific Advisory Board as well as the intellectual property portfolio.
As a National Institutes of Health pre-doctoral fellow, Laura earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Community Service
Laura’s community service experience includes:
- Mentoring Entrepreneurs Resource Learning and Innovation Network (MERLIN): Mentor and Co-chair, Screening Committee, 2008
- Wisconsin Biotechnology and Medical Device Association (WBMA): Board Member, since January 2007; Elected President Elect for 2009
- Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium: Steering Committee, 2007 – 2008
- Wisconsin Business Plan Competition: Judge, 2005 – 2008
Personal Leadership
Laura has been recruited by various organizations to meet with young scientists and talk about her career path and current position. The UW-Madison Department of Chemistry has had Laura participate in special programs for the Women in Science and Engineering program, a residential program to provide support for women interested in science, technology, engineering or math. She has also participated in a career panel for high school girls at the Learn, Earn & Prosper (LEAP) Conference, which focuses on college and career exploration. In response to professional requests or requests from the Wisconsin Biotechnology and Medical Device Association, Laura has talked with students, particularly young women, one-on-one about careers in science.
The ATHENA Young Professional Award will be presented on November 12, 2008. Forté Madison will feature a daily profile of one of the nominees, starting on October 27 and continuing through the day of the event. For more information on the award, visit The Business Forum's Web site here.
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