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Yi Wang, PhD, MBA

Yi Wang, PhD, MBA

Blavatnik Fellow
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Dr. Wang is an early-stage life science startup operator, consultant, and angel investor, and was a tenured professor. His experience blends business operation and scientific research in both biotechnology and public health. 

As the Vice President of Business Development at Isolere Bio, a university spinout focused on gene therapy biomanufacturing, he helped raise $7 million in Seed funding from investors, developed pre-Seed and Seed business strategy, drafted term sheets and agreements for negotiation of pre-clinical out-licensing, MTAs, and partnerships. At Eli Lilly, he worked on breast cancer drug strategy and developed post-PoC decision framework for pain drug candidates. As a startup consultant, he also worked with startups on early-stage fundraising, business strategy, and grant management, 

As an angel investor, he has invested and led/participated in diligence for startups targeting indications such as autoimmune, diabetes, GI tract disease, and vascular graft under modalities including microorganisms, peptides, nanoparticles, and antibodies at San Diego-based NuFund (formerly San Diego Tech Coast Angels) and Indiana-based VisionTech Angels and Partners. He is a Board Observer at Toralgen, a nanoparticle drug delivery startup. 

As a tenured professor in Environmental Health and Epidemiology at Indiana University, he conducted research on the effects of environmental exposure, genetic risk factors, and their interplay on cardiovascular and neurological diseases in vulnerable populations. He was recognized as "40 Under 40 in Public Health" by the Washington DC-based de Beaumont Foundation and was awarded "Outstanding Individual Advancing Sustainability Award" by the Indianapolis Mayor's Office. 

He attended the full-time MBA program as a Manning Scholar at Duke University. He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Health and Epidemiology at University of Michigan School of Public Health, followed by his postdoctoral training at Brown University School of Public Health. Prior to his PhD research, he was a bench scientist and received his Master's degree in Toxicology at University of California, Irvine, and his Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering at Shenyang Pharmaceutical University in China. 

He enjoys rugby, theatre acting, running, and learning to play guitar and harmonica.