Foundation Staff


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Executive Director — Dr. Kevin Lee, Ph.D.

Dr. Lee is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received his Ph.D. in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His career spans over 25 years of research experience in molecular genetics and neurobiology in biotechnology, academic research and not-for-profit settings. He was appointed Executive Director of the Foundation in September 2012, having served as Deputy Executive Director from 2007-2012. Prior to joining the Ellison Medical Foundation, Dr. Lee served as Executive Vice President-Research of Sentigen Biosciences. He was responsible for the start-up and development of this New York City-based biotechnology company leading to its acquisition by Invitrogen Corporation in 2006. He has served as a member of the Scientific Review Board for the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative in New York. Dr. Lee’s scientific research career employed genetic approaches to learn how neurons in the brain are “wired up” during development to make functional circuits that relay sensory information and control behavior. He worked with Dr. Thomas Jessell in the Center for Neurobiology and Behavior at Columbia University, where he studied the specification, axonal projection, and functional connectivity of nerve cells in the spinal cord. He is the recipient of biotechnology patents and is the author of numerous research publications.

(Contact Dr. Lee)

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Manager, Grants Administration — Ms. Lisa Glazier

Ms. Glazier is responsible for many administrative and financial management functions within the Foundation, and interacts closely with awardee institutions.

(Contact Ms. Glazier)

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Grant Program Manager — Ms. Esther Paul

Among her administrative duties, Ms. Paul is responsible for managing financial reports and budget information for our grant program.

(Contact Ms. Paul)

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Program Manager, Grants Administration & Scientific Review — Ms. Erica Stella

After 10 years at The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, administering the Sloan Research Fellowship Program; Erica joined the Ellison Medical Foundation in November of 2012. She manages grant applications and progress for New Scholar and Senior Scholar Award Programs, Conference and Workshop funding programs, and all office related operations in New York. She also supports the Executive Director in preparation for the Scientific Advisory Board, Review Groups, and other Foundation-initiated workshops and meetings. Erica received her BFA from Marymount Manhattan College in Modern Dance in 2000.

(Contact Ms. Stella)


Web Team


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Webmaster — Mr. Matthew Zekala

Matt currently resides in Portland, OR.

(Contact Mr. Zekala)

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Website Management & Programming — Mr. Luke McCormick

With over 20 years of experience building consumer-friendly Internet applications, Luke is the architect of the EMF website.

(Contact Mr. McCormick)