Innovation is our lifeblood. 

cTRL is founded and led by an exceptional team of industry and immunotherapy experts with deep knowledge of the adaptive immune system, immuno-oncology, biomedical engineering, and cell therapy research and development.

Our Team

  • Expert in life sciences technology development and translation, authoring over 185 publications and inventor on over 50 patents

    President of the Chicago Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network

    Serves as the Neena B. Schwartz Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University, where she leads an active research program aiming to develop new analytical technologies for combatting disease

    Founded three life sciences startups (GeneOhm Sciences, acquired by Becton Dickinson; Xagenic, acquired by General Atomics; and Arma Biosciences)

    Recognized with the ACS Inorganic Nanoscience Award, the ACS Arthur Doolittle Award, the Pittsburgh Conference Achievement Award, the Steacie Prize, an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, a Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar award, a NSF CAREER Award, and a Dreyfus New Faculty Award

    Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Guggenheim Fellow, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and the American Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering

Founder & Chief Technology Officer

  • Over 20 years experience in biopharma space, bringing deep interdisciplinary expertise in the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics in oncology and cell and gene therapy

    Served as founder and CEO of Cellevolve Bio, working with partners to bring cell therapies through late-stage development and commercialization with a focus on neglected diseases

    Held various leadership roles at Atara Bio, Gilead Sciences, AbbVie, Amgen and McKinsey & Company

    Currently sits on the boards of Passage Bio, Acumen Pharma and Portal Innovations

    Earned his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, M.B.A. from the Wharton School, and B.S. in Neuroscience from UCLA.

Chief Executive Officer

  • Independent Drug Development Consultant; Former SVP Global Drug Development Cell Therapy at Celgene/Bristol Myers Squibb; Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physician and Surgeons, Columbia University


    Dr. Frankel has held senior roles in both academic and biopharmaceutical settings leading to the regulatory approval of multiple cell therapies and therapeutic antibodies. As an independent consultant, he provides strategic and operational expertise in optimizing treatment regimens and integrating innovative cell therapies into clinical practice. He also serves on the boards of several biotech companies and scientific advisory boards.

  • Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


    A leading expert in development of next-generation immunotherapeutics, Dr. Schoenfeld has been instrumental in advancing cell-based therapies for solid tumors. His work focuses on designing and leading early-phase clinical trials and associated translational efforts to drive innovation and improve cancer treatment outcomes.

  • Accomplished pharmaceutical research and development leader who brings a wealth of experience in oncology and cell therapy

    Served as the Global Head of Research at InstilBio where he oversaw tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes research efforts and helped drive regulatory milestones

    Started his career at Kite Pharma where he developed multiple novel CAR-T constructs and led key collaborations.

    Earned his Ph.D. in Neurobiology and Molecular Biology at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and later conducted his postdoctoral studies at Salk Institute for Biological Studies, advancing the fields of neurobiology and stem cell biology respectively

Head of Research

Scientific Advisors

  • Expert in T cell therapy and immunotherapy

    Core member of the UPenn team that developed Kymriah, the first approved CAR-T cell therapy

    Most recently served as EVP and Head of R&D at ArsenalBio

    Previously served as VP of Immuno-oncology and Oncology Cell Therapies at Janssen and CSO of Immuno-oncology at Eli Lilly and Company

    Inventor on 29 issued cell therapy patents

  • Director, Solid Tumor Cell Therapy; Assistant Professor of Medicine (Oncology), Stanford University


    Dr. Betof Warner is an expert in solid tumor cell therapy, immunotherapy and clinical trial design at Stanford University. Her research focuses on developing and refining cell-based therapies, and she has a strong track record in bridging academic discoveries with clinical application.

  • Qiming Ventures: Partner

    Juno Therapeutics: Vice President, Research

    Life Technologies: Director Global Clinical Business Development Cell Therapy

    Encyte: Vice President, Research

  • Former Clinical Professor of Medicine, UCSF; Former SVP Early Clinical Development, Hematology/Oncology & Cell Therapy at Celgene/Bristol Myers Squibb

    Dr. Hege is a renowned hematologist-oncologist based in San Francisco. With nearly three decades of experience in advancing cell therapies—including leading the development of BCMA CAR‑T cell programs—she has played a pivotal role in translating novel immunotherapies from bench to bedside. She also serves on the boards of several biotech companies and held an active faculty appointment at UCSF for over 25 years.

  • Three decades of experience in cellular immunotherapy science and drug development.

    Served as Chief Scientific Officer at Lyell Immunopharma, Inc and previously at Kite Pharma, Inc.

    Established the field of CAR-T cell research, culminating in the very first CAR T-cell clinical trial in 1994.

    Recognized as a top R&D leader by Endpoints News’ Top 20 Women Leaders in Biopharma 2020.

    Authored more than thirty scientific publications and inventor on thirteen issued U.S. patents and three published U.S. patent applications.

  • Chartier Consulting: Principal Consultant

    NextVivo: Chief Scientific Officer

    Iovance: Vice President, Research

    OncoMed: Senior Director, Research

    Inventor on 29 issued cell therapy patents

  • Pharmefex: Principal Consultant

    Kite: Senior Vice President, Process Sciences

    Boehringer Ingelheim: Executive Director, Process Sciences

    Amgen: Executive Director, Process Sciences

  • Thermo Fisher: Head of Translational Sciences and Director, R&D

    Life Sciences: Associate Director, R&D

Clinical Advisors

  • Chief Medical Officer, ESSA Pharmaceuticals


    Dr. Cesano currently serves as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President at ESSA Pharmaceuticals. With over 25 years of experience in oncology drug development and tumor immunology—including key leadership roles at NanoString, Cleave Biosciences, and Nodality—she brings deep expertise in translational immunotherapy. Her career spans academic research at the Wistar Institute and executive roles at major biopharma companies.

  • Clinical Investigator, UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center


    Dr. Munster is a leader in early-phase and translational clinical trials for solid tumor malignancies. Her extensive experience in clinical research and her work at UCSF provide critical insights into optimizing patient selection and safety in cell therapy trials.

Investors