Dr. Elke Lipka joined TSRL in June of 2007 to develop and implement a sustainable competitive commercialization strategy for TSRL’s technology portfolio. She became the majority owner of the company and its CEO in 2018, and implemented the preclinical accelerator business model, working with inventors across the US and Europe. She received her B.S. in Pharmacy and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, and her M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Prior to joining TSRL, Elke held a number of scientific and management positions of increasing responsibility at Parke-Davis, Pfizer, and Esperion Therapeutics. She is an experienced professional capable of building and managing multidisciplinary teams involved in the discovery and development of pharmaceutical drug candidates and drug delivery systems. Her expertise includes pharmacokinetic, formulation, and drug safety evaluations for small molecule and biologics drug development programs. Elke brings strong skills in project management, establishment of strategic partnerships, and management of financial and operational business aspects to TSRL. Elke has secured close to $20M in non-dilutive funding to drive TSRL’s portfolio projects to clear Go-NoGo decisions for advancement towards clinical testing. She is passionate about empowering women, other minority scientists, and entrepreneurs to reach their fullest potential and make a difference in our ecosystem.

Ms. Dawn Reyna joined TSRL, Inc. in 2007 as Quality Assurance Unit Manager and was named Senior Director of Laboratory Services in 2014. She was promoted to COO in November 2018. Prior to her joining TSRL Inc., Dawn held management positions within quality assurance at Pfizer, a global drug development firm, and MPI Research, an early clinical-stage contract research organization. Dawn brings over 18 years of research and quality assurance expertise to TSRL, Inc., having managed GLP-compliant quality systems in fast, results-driven environments. Dawn is a registered Quality Assurance Professional in Good Laboratory Practices and received her B.S. in Biology from Western Michigan University. Dawn’s leadership skills and experience are evident by her ability to deliver high-quality results that meet internal and collaborator objectives.

Dr. John Domagala has worked with TSRL as a consultant and scientific advisor since 2010. John was trained as a synthetic medicinal chemist and has 45 years of experience in antiinfective drug design, microbiology and drug development. John spent 30 years at Warner-Lambert/Pfizer working on multiple drug classes and mechanisms. He became the Senior Director of Infectious Diseases with responsibility for over 30 projects from screening to IND submission.

He served on the In-License Team evaluating over 100 drug opportunities at all stages of development, leading to the acquisition of several compounds and two companies. After Pfizer closed its doors in Ann Arbor, John became a consultant guiding universities and biotech companies through the process of antibacterial and antiviral drug development.

With Pfizer and as a consultant, John has served on multiple interdisciplinary teams tasked with taking compounds from lead to IND, learning the importance of fit-for-purpose development studies within budget constraints. John brings this knowledge and experience with leadership capabilities to TSRL.

Ms. Shelly Sowers is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan for the last 20 years. She obtained her undergraduate accounting degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Wayne State University.

She was with Plante & Moran in Southfield for approximately 8 years doing audit and tax related assignments for privately held companies, primarily in the manufacturing and life sciences sector. After Plante & Moran, she worked for 8 years as Controller and then CFO of Ash Stevens, a contract/development manufacturing organization that specialized in small molecule API manufacturing and research and development contracts with the US government.

She has been through five ERP implementations including Epicor, SAP, and Microsoft Dynamics. Shelly also has experience in human resources, including but not limited to employee benefits, 401k, and pension plans.

Dr. John Takyi-Williams joined the TSRL team in January 2024. John received his Ph.D. from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. John has over 5 years of experience in research and development, particularly in pharmacokinetics and bioanalysis. His work, which has garnered over 100 citations on Google Scholar, involves developing LC-MS analytical methods to support preclinical and clinical studies.

John has held esteemed fellowships and awards, including the University of Michigan Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Singapore Government Scholarship Award. John brings innovative research capabilities, profound technical expertise, and a collaborative spirit to TSRL.

Dr. Dawn Kuszynski joined the TSRL team in June 2022 after completing her Doctorate of Philosophy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Biomedical Toxicology from Michigan State University. Dawn is TSRL’s In Vivo Research and Project Scientist. Dawn has a strong background in cardiovascular and cancer research. Her work has encompassed drug discovery and development of both antiplatelet drugs and chemotherapeutics.

During her Ph.D. program, Dawn was awarded an F31 training grant from NHLBI to examine the adverse bleeding effects of the antiplatelet drug, clopidogrel (Plavix®). Her work led to multiple peer-reviewed publications. Dawn brings excellent teamwork, collaboration, leadership, and communication skills to TSRL. In the next few years, Dawn will be training to serve as PI on grants at TSRL.

Ms. Emily Oliver joined TSRL in March 2023. Emily graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan. Emily has distinguished herself academically with an Honors Designation from the University of Michigan, alongside several technical certificates from Washtenaw Community College.

Her professional expertise encompasses compliance with SOPs, proficient handling of biological samples in compliance with safety protocols, and execution of molecular diagnostics procedures, such as DNA/RNA extractions and RT-PCR analysis. Emily demonstrates a strong work ethic and organizational skills, contributing significantly to team efficiency and productivity.

Ms. Megan DeVries joined TSRL, Inc. in January 2022 as an Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining TSRL, Inc., Megan was a marketing intern for a start-up company in Ann Arbor through Eastern Michigan University’s Center for Digital Engagement, Digital Summer Clinic program. Through the program, she developed effective planning, project management, and communication skills that she now deploys efficiently in her daily tasks at TSRL.

Megan obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in marketing with a minor in communication.

Dr. Gregory Amidon is Research Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Michigan, College of Pharmacy. Greg has 28 years of industrial experience holding various positions in R&D at leading pharmaceutical companies. He is recognized for his expertise in the physical, chemical, and mechanical property characterization of active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, and products as well as the development of scientific strategies for oral solid dosage form development and oral bioperformance.

Greg has served on the USP Council of Experts since 1990 and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. In 2015, Greg was elected President of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). He is a recipient of the Ebert Prize from the American Pharmaceutical Association and the 2014 AAPS Research Achievement Award in Physical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics. Greg received his BS in Medicinal Chemistry and his PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Michigan.

Gerry Cox brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries to the TSRL Board of Directors. He began his career at Pfizer, where he served as Senior Finance Director, overseeing operations, financial strategy, and business development initiatives. Gerry later co-founded Velesco Pharmaceutical, a contract development and manufacturing organization, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and played a central role in building and scaling the company’s operations. Most recently, he held senior executive positions with Pace Analytical Life Sciences, further broadening his expertise in the biopharma services sector.

Gerry’s background spans finance, operations, and strategic leadership, with a proven track record of guiding organizations through growth and transformation. Based in Boston, he also provides TSRL with enhanced connectivity to the East Coast biotechnology and life sciences ecosystem, complementing the company’s Ann Arbor headquarters. Gerry’s appointment strengthens TSRL’s ability to support pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and government partners with early-stage development strategies and science-driven solutions.

Dr. Elke Lipka joined TSRL in June of 2007 to develop and implement a sustainable competitive commercialization strategy for TSRL’s technology portfolio. She was promoted to CEO in November 2018. She received her B.S. in Pharmacy and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, and her M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Elke started her career as a Research Scientist at TSRL in 1992 and subsequently has held a number of scientific and management positions of increasing responsibility at Parke-Davis, Pfizer, and Esperion Therapeutics. She is an experienced professional capable of building and managing multidisciplinary teams involved in the discovery and development of pharmaceutical drug candidates and drug delivery systems. Her expertise includes pharmacokinetic, drug metabolism and drug safety scientific guidance to small molecule and biologic drug development programs. Elke brings strong skills in project management, establishment of strategic partnerships, and management of financial and operational business aspects to TSRL.

Dr. Munk is experienced in drug discovery, development, and manufacturing both as a scientist and as a manager. He was the CEO and President of Ash Stevens Inc., a full service Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) development and manufacturing organization. From 1997-2017 Ash Stevens received twelve FDA approvals to manufacture innovator drug substances under his leadership. These approvals include the oncology drugs bortezomib (Velcade), busulfan (Busulfex), clofarabine (Clolar), and 5-azacitidine (Vidaza), ponatinib (Iclusig) and ixazomib (Ninlaro). Ash Stevens received six NIH research contracts under his leadership including four competing contract renewals.

Prior to joining Ash Stevens in 1997, Steve worked at Allergan, Inc. initially as a medicinal chemist and subsequently, the co-team leader of the adrenergic drug discovery team.

Steve’s work has been summarized in a number of publications and patents. He is a co-author of the 2016 book "Managing the Drug Discovery Process: How to Make It More Efficient and Cost-Effective." Additionally, he has served as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Wayne State University and on the Henry Ford Community College Biotechnology Advisory Board.

Steve has also served on the Steering Committee of the Chemistry in Cancer Research Working Group of the American Association for Cancer Research (CICR-AACR; 2008-2010; 2011-2013; Chairman, 2014), the Board of Directors of MichBio (2008 - 2014; Chairman 2010 - 2014), the Michigan Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) affiliate. He received his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.