Kenneth M.
Merz, Jr., Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
Professor Merz is currently Professor in the Quantum Theory
Project at the University of Florida at Gainesville. A
recognized leader in the field of computational chemistry,
he has published over 150 articles in peer-reviewed
journals and given more than 150 presentations worldwide.
He has received numerous academic honors including being
elected a Fellow of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science. Due to his high profile role as an
academic expert in the field, Dr. Merz was recruited into a
hands-on industry job as the Senior Director for the Center
for Informatics and Drug Discovery (CIDD) at Pharmacopeia,
the dominant supplier of modeling software to the life
sciences industry. He subsequently served as Senior
Director of ADMET R&D Group for Accelrys,
Pharmacopeia’s software subsidiary. He held these
positions for several years while continuing to discharge
his full faculty responsibilities while at the Pennsylvania
State University to the complete satisfaction of the
Chemistry Department administration. In his industrial
roles, Dr. Merz had responsibility for assessing market
opportunities, designing product offerings and overseeing
the creation and development of products. To do so, he
worked closely both with bench chemists and biologists at
Pharmacopeia who were in-house users of the software, as
well as purchasers and users of modeling tools from outside
customers.
Personal Website: Merz Research Group
Lance M.
Westerhoff, Ph.D.
General Manager and Chief Software Engineer/Project
Manager
Entrepreneur and Computational Biochemist whose experience
includes project management and leadership; software
engineering and development; strategic planning; and fund
raising efforts including angel, venture capital, and
public/grant funding sources. Scientifically accomplished
through projects involving the synergistic application of
quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics in the life and
pharmaceutical sciences. Well accustomed to the small
company environment and able to “wear many
hats” in order to perform the duties required for
successful research, development, and deployment of
advanced technology. Able to interact with and manage
scientists, engineers, and business people in various
capacities including management, investors, customers,
staff scientists, and academicians.
Personal Website: Lance's Place
Walter C.
Greenblatt, MBA
An experienced entrepreneur and “hands-on”
operating executive, Mr. Greenblatt founded and grew a
profitable business, ultimately managing over 130
employees. He successfully sold the business after
operating it for ten years. His subsequent investment
banking experience has focused on middle-market
transactions. He has helped clients in a variety of
healthcare and manufacturing industries to plan strategy,
raise capital to implement the strategy and acquire and/or
divest the business units necessary to achieve key goals.
Mr. Greenblatt received his MBA with Distinction from
Harvard Business School in 1982. Previously he graduated
summa cum laude from Yale and received a Masters degree in
Economics with First Class Honors from Oxford University.
Personal Website: Walter Greenblatt & Accociates,
LLC.