Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC)

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Ishtiaq Mawla

Associate Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC), Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Ishtiaq Mawla is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration team within the Strategic Philanthropy pillar at the Milken Institute.
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Taylor Evans, PhD

Senior Associate, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Taylor Evans, PhD, is a senior associate on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. Her expertise lies in biomedical research, molecular genetics, rare diseases, and computational biology tools.
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Elizabeth Burke, PhD

Associate Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Elizabeth Burke, PhD, is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. Her expertise lies in rare disease research, including neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, strategic planning, project management, and promoting collaboration between clinical and scientific teams.

Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC)

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SPARC Philanthropy Portfolio
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Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) works to develop, launch, and lead initiatives that propel scientific and medical research. We target investments that accelerate the development of tools and treatments, bringing better health to millions of people. 

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Pillars
Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC)
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We are scientists, with a deep understanding of research ecosystems, the importance of good science to advancing human health, and how to apply the philanthropic mechanisms that will lead to long-term change.

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Team
Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC)
Leaders
ALS Breakthrough Research Fund Scientific Advisory Board
Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative Scientific Advisory Board
Kissick Family Foundation Frontotemporal Dementia Science Advisory Board
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Featured panel
Part 2: Rebuilding Mental Health Care: From Fragmentation to Coordination
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Agnes Stephens

Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Aggie McMahon Stephens, MSc, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. With a background in clinical neuroscience, she specializes in science philanthropy, research sector development, and global collaborations that maximize the impact of investments in science.
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Kara Whelply

Associate Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Kara Whelply is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. She leverages her expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, philanthropic funding, and therapeutic development to advise individual philanthropists and nonprofit organizations on methods to advance their mission and accelerate the development of treatments.
An image of a female-presenting person named Nadia Penrod. She has medium length brown hair and white skin. She is smiling at the camera and wearing a black jacket with a tan sweater.

Nadia Penrod, PhD

Associate Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Nadia Penrod,PhD, is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. In this role, she leverages her expertise as an interdisciplinary scientist in biomedicine and informatics to identify high-impact opportunities for philanthropic investment that promote science for the public good and have the potential to transform health.
An image of a woman with white skin and shoulder-length blonde hair named Sylvie Raver. She has a white suit jacket and a black shirt and she is smiling at the camera.

Sylvie Raver, PhD

Senior Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Sylvie Raver is a senior director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. Raver applies her expertise in neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease, mental health, and biomedical research to identify opportunities for philanthropic investments that can have a transformative impact on medical research and health.
Smiling female-presenting person of color with dark hair named Ishita Das wearing a red shirt and a blue blazer against an ambiguous outdoor background.

Ishita Das, PhD

Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Ishita Das, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy, where she leads cross-disciplinary projects. Her expertise lies in biomedical research, science policy, stakeholder engagement, workforce diversity, strategic planning, and project management.
Light-skinned female-presenting person named Caitlyn Barrett with light hair in a yellow jacket and black shirt with gray gradient background

Caitlyn Barrett, PhD

Director, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Caitlyn Barrett, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. Her scientific expertise in cancer biology and neurodegeneration in addition to her experience in grant and program management, stakeholder engagement, and program analysis are brought to bear as she partners with philanthropists to maximize their impact on the biomedical ecosystem.
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