Kara Whelply is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. 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.

Erin Ross is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. She applies her expertise in health systems, analyzing scientific evidence's role in health policy implementation and identifying ways the scientific and policy communities can collaborate.

Nadia Penrod is a senior associate on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. 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.

Sylvie Raver is a senior director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute 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.

Emily Baxi, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. A neuroscientist and educator, Baxi works with the pillar's SPARC team to advise foundations and philanthropists on the state of research so they are empowered to make impactful giving decisions. Aligning the needs of the research field with the passion and commitment of the philanthropist, she identifies opportunities to meaningfully advance biomedical research.

Daniel Pham, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute He utilizes his expertise in scientific research, neuroscience, science policy, communication, and advocacy to advise philanthropic partners on opportunities to make the biggest impact in various fields of science and health.

Ishita Das, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration 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.

Caitlyn Barrett, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. 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.

Quinton Banks is an associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Philanthropy. His extensive scientific background includes research into chronic pain, taste perception, and muscle physiology. Banks has training in both biological sciences and psychology, providing him with a unique perspective on the human impact of high net-worth giving.

Veronica Beck is a associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. She uses her expertise to identify and implement innovative biomedical research ideas, partnering with philanthropists and key field leaders to ensure promising research projects receive the necessary support to become impactful therapies.