This program is aimed at bringing entrepreneurs and executives in-house to guide Weill Cornell Medicine inventors and startup teams as they pursue their entrepreneurial journeys. EiRs are selected from different industry verticals, including therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, digital and finance. EiRs work closely with all components of Enterprise Innovation, provide one-on-one mentoring to inventors on business models and strategy, assist teams with capitalization tables and can potentially become management of the Weill Cornell Medicine startups.
Current Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
Yaron David, M.S. is a mechanical and a biomedical engineer by training. He has over ten years of experience leading teams and projects from early concept design to finalized product in the fields of opto-mechanics and medical devices both in Israel and in the US. Mr. David has problem-solving skills, expertise and commitment that are fundamental for the successful completion of any project.
Ehsan S. Yazdi, Ph.D., M.P.H. is a cancer-geneticist and molecular biologist. Dr. Yazdi has 14 years of experience in the field of cancer and currently works as the Founder and CEO of NomoCan Pharmaceuticals. Prior to joining NomoCan Pharmaceuticals, he was an assistant professor and translational research director at the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center. He has several patents related to anti-cancer peptides, which are at various stages of development by other companies. His research has been recognized by various awards including "Outstanding Clinical Scholar" award from the AACR/GlaxoSmithKline as well as by the Robert Furchgott Society (Nobel Prize in Medicine,’98). Dr. Yazdi received his doctorate in cellular and molecular biology and M.P.H. in health policy and management from SUNY Health Science Center- NY and his M.Sc. in applied genetics from University of Birmingham and Imperial College of London.
Christina R. Valauri, M.B.A. is a strategic advisor to and investor in early-stage technology companies. Ms. Valauri began her Wall Street career as a sell-side healthcare research analyst and for over 16 years she covered pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology companies. She also held leadership roles as a director of US/global equity research, global business development, broker-dealer management, and as an operating committee member for a publicly traded broker-dealer. Ms. Valauri has extensive experience identifying and analyzing the commercial viability of breakthrough innovations, as well as mentoring and advising the C-suites of private and public early-stage healthcare companies. Ms. Valauri has been ranked a #1 Biotechnology/Biomedical analyst in The Wall Street Journal’s “Best on The Street” (formerly the All-Star Analyst Survey) and is a recipient of the Award for Excellence in Medical Education Public Affairs, as a founding board member of a women’s health education non-profit. Ms. Valauri earned her B.A. in Biology from Reed College and M.B.A. from Cornell University. She currently serves as an advisory board member of two public medical technology companies, is a member of NextGen Venture Partners and Women in Bio and serves as a mentor and advisor at Astia.org as well as BioVenture eLab.