Tisha Jepson

Work with an incredible team on a startup diagnostic company, in partnership with George Washington University and the St. Laurent Institute, to bring to market a pipeline of highly accurate blood-based diagnostic tests. These tests are emerging from unparalleled advances in next-generation sequencing of RNA as a new unified platform for diagnostics. Our current focus is on an infection diagnostic - pathogen agnostic - addressing bacterial, viral, and biofilm infections. Doctors lack a tool that is greater than 50% accurate. At a 97% accuracy rate, we are now able to deliver a binary answer as to the presence of infection and, if present, its' magnitude. We are published, patented, and poised to start FDA Clearance with the UVA, Childrens', DC, and GWU to address a multibillion dollar problem. Abdominal pain, accounts for a small number of those who would benefit, with over 16 million cases annually. We also have a test to detect and assist with diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), a main cause of heart attacks ($500 Billion USA). Offering physicians increased diagnostic accuracy, expanded access to a currently inaccessible patient pool (50% of first heart attacks are unexpected), and significantly reduce, the expensive and invasive requirement for multiple tests to diagnose CAD. Initially, engaged with helping to set up the Lab at GW in 2006 which resulted in the start of the nonprofit St. Laurent Institute. Over time, work regularly with the Scientists we have partially funded. Guide True Bearing forward on the most efficient path to diagnostic product development and commercialization. Currently, leading the effort by designing marketing strategy, driving capital funding, initiating, organizing, and executing FDA pathway multiple hospital group clinical utility study, orchestrating payor relationships and kit development, negotiating licensing agreements and partnerships, and developing the overall strategy to effectively commercialize and scale.

We are focused on research and publications covering systems biology, the transcriptome, and non-coding RNA in support of finding solutions for degenerative diseases. Lead strategy, fundraising, and business development in support of expanding grant opportunities offered to gather top scientific talent. Endeavoring, over time, to continue the life's work of founder, Georges C. St. Laurent, III, PhD. We develop SLI, through collaborating with scientists on various grant and investor supported research projects and events which have resulted in over 50 publications in highly rated journals. We work as a team to maintain and expand upon the St. Laurent Institute's place as a key transcriptome leader promoting understanding of systems biology and delivering, with technology transfer efforts, improved global healthcare through degenerative disease research, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

As investor, board secretary, and fourth employee, I was enabled to make a visible impact with reintroducing established sequencing technology which is well respected in the scientific research community. A founder initiated my joining SeqLL with, “Tisha, you are the only person I know who can do everything from sweeping floors to executive level work; Will you come help us start this company?” Key highlights: • Created, launched, and implemented a business plan and projections bringing the company from startup to over $1.0M in gross income. Driving business development, brought the company to profitable status in first year of operations expanding client base to over 125. • Established the company brand including logo, website, and trademark registration and created and managed sales and marketing functions, including business development planning and forecasting. • Initiated FDA clearance design and process • Raised $2.0M from angel investors and positioned organization for a secondary $15.0M round of investment. Obtained, with the team, additional $800K thousand in funding from public institutions including the National Institute of Health (NIH), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and The Research Project Grant (RO1.) • Transitioned into place new CEO and executive team as part of the planned capital raise process.

Guided organization to a renewed position of vitality through developing volunteer capacity at all levels from entry to board positions and increasing membership and events by over 50%. Maintained responsibility for organizational strategy, restructuring, team building, team management, goal setting, program design, event planning, volunteer recruitment, communications design and implementation, board member management, budget management, bylaw creation and editing, website design, and the delegating of work to volunteers for an alumni group and potential membership of 11,000 alumni.

Writer on behalf of Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine proposal focused on the need for capacity building, supply chain development, and trade improvement through promoting innovations with machinery, equipment, technology, and scientific advancements in the agricultural sector. International Development Contractor in support of USAID • Conducted research, wrote staffing section, recruited candidates including reference checks and interviews. • Edited USAID funded $9.0M Moldova Business Regulatory, Investment and Trade Environment (BRITE) proposal and Department for International Development (DFID) funded Bangladesh Financial Inclusion Program (FIP.)

Strategy and capture planning, program design, research, recruitment, and resume and proposal writing in support of all technical and regional areas at MSI. International Development Contractor in support of USAID • Normalized and streamlined proposal processes with USAID contract winnings, more than doubling from $130M in 2010 to $320M won in 2011. • Worked on topics including workforce, youth and agricultural development, Feed the Future, capacity building, and promoting health awareness in countries such as Afghanistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Promoted “Recapture the Flag” campaign through research, writing, and fundraising focused on restoring the core values of American Democracy by defending the Bill of Rights and working to enable a rebalancing of power with the three branches of the United States government.

Managed set-up and organization of research lab focused on the study of the systems biology of non-coding RNAs and the influence on chronic diseases.