Page 15 - School of Medicine and Dentistry | University of Rochester Medical Center

From investigator to director of oncology translational
research to research director, Connie Erickson-Miller
(pictured below) ’79, ’88M (PhD), has spent almost 20
years at GlaxoSmithKline. She was the biologist leading
several pharmaceutical products from creation through
the development process, with one drug achieving
regulatory approval in 2008. Another discovery, a
drug that enhances red blood cell production, is
currently in clinical trials. Dr. Erickson-Miller recently
returned to her first love: growing hematopoietic cells
in the lab, part of a project that aims to identify small
molecules for the treatment of sickle cell anemia.

Dr. Erickson-Miller received her B.A. from the
University, a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology
from the School, and she also completed a post-
doctoral fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology
at the Medical Center. “My graduate education
experience has prepared me to work effectively with
academic and biotechnology partnerships across
therapeutic areas to best address patient needs.”
Mary Maida (pictured above) ’00M (MS), ’02M (PhD),
established the Medingen Group, LLC, and its affiliate,
Clerisy Corp., headquartered in Rochester, NY. This
research and development incubator specializes in the
concept-to-commercialization of products addressing
current and emerging health and medical challenges.
Her companies move an idea from prototype and
licensing to the creation of products for over-the-
counter retail environments.

Dr. Maida holds a master’s degree in neurobiology and
anatomy and a doctorate in molecular neuroscience
from the School of Medicine and Dentistry, and still
maintains a medical research position at the School.
“It’s imperative to have an in-depth comprehension
of scientific and clinical issues for which medical
technologies and innovations are developed,” she
said. “What I learned at the School has played a
key role in my successful work in the technology
transfer industry.”

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