Jessica Howell, Ph.D., joins GEI with more than 14 years of experience in preclinical research and drug development, translating scientific discoveries from the bench to the clinic. Her career spans both small and large biotechs, where she has advanced small molecule and gene therapy programs in metabolic disease, oncology, and rare disease. Working cross-functionally, she has guided research and drug discovery programs through every stage of preclinical development: basic biology, target identification, mechanism of action, proof of concept, and toxicology through IND submission. She also brings hands-on toxicology and regulatory experience, having designed and directed GLP studies for submission to regulatory agencies.
She received her Ph.D. from Rockefeller University, where she discovered molecular mechanisms regulating the transcription factor Foxa2 in metabolic disease. Her postdoctoral training was completed at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studying the complex interplay of mTORC1 and AMPK signaling pathways in cancer and metabolism.
