Join us at the Terasaki Institute to learn how capturing unique hormonal datasets is creating the defensive moats of the next generation of biotech giants. The historical exclusion of women from clinical research was a quiet crisis in medicine for decades. Following the 1977 FDA policy excluding women of childbearing potential from early-stage trials, medical science relied predominantly on male physiology. This systemic gap resulted in higher rates of adverse drug reactions and a lack of precision in treating conditions from cardiovascular disease to hormonal regulation. We will explore how global leaders leverage insights from patients to de-risk therapeutics and how founders are bypassing clinical bottlenecks by putting diagnostic power directly into patients' hands to reframe women's health as a lifelong performance strategy. 

Note: Each ticket includes appetizers and two drink tickets.

Program

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Check In and Networking
6:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.  Welcome Remarks
6:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Panel
7:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.  Q&A
7:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Networking

Speaker Bios

Gail Jackson, MD

Dr. Jackson is a Board-Certified OB-GYN, concierge menopause expert, and bestselling author of Absolutely Fabulous. With over 30 years in women’s health and the last 15+ focused exclusively on hormone optimization, she’s helped thousands of women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond reclaim their energy, vitality, and confidence. A pioneer in bio-identical hormone therapy, Dr. Jackson combines science-backed medicine with concierge-level care to deliver a personalized, elevated wellness experience. Her whole-woman approach goes far beyond lab results, helping clients optimize hormones, restore sexual wellness, boost metabolism, and feel vibrant at every age. Known as the go-to doctor for high-achieving women and Hollywood insiders alike, Dr. Jackson’s mission is simple: no more “just deal with it” advice. Midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s a glow-up. When she’s not in the office, you’ll find her speaking, playing with her grandbabies, and inspiring women everywhere to feel Absolutely Fabulous.

Alexandra Moser, PhD, Research Assistant Professor at Cedars-Sinai

Dr. Moser is dedicated to transforming our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease into tangible therapeutic solutions. Based at Cedars-Sinai, her research explores how genetic drivers and sex-specific biological differences contribute to neurodegeneration. While her early work focused on the "why" of the disease, her recent breakthroughs in stem cell therapy have opened a promising new chapter in "how" we treat it. Her ultimate goal is to translate her findings into personalized therapeutic approaches for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ujwala Deshmane Rajgopal, MD, Senior Medical Director of Syneos Health

Dr. Rajgopal has an extensive successful career as a physician spanning over 35 years, including research and over 20 years of clinical experience in USA, as a Board-Certified Surgeon. She has performed surgeries on patients with breast, thyroid, colon, and other gastrointestinal cancers, melanoma, and other skin cancers, in addition to cancer research. Her numerous leadership roles include Chair of Surgery, Chair for the Commission on Cancer, State of California, California Chair, Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society, and Advisory Council Member for the California Breast Cancer Research Program. Amongst her awards, she received the prestigious St. George National Award in 2022 for her significant contributions to the American Cancer Society’s mission and strategic goals. Dr. Rajgopal is known for her strategic, results-driven leadership, candid communication style, and exceptional ability to motivate and align cross-functional teams to achieve organizational outcomes. At Syneos Health, she is an integral part of the Biopharmaceutical Acceleration Model, which aims to shorten the distance from lab to life, and the Driven to Deliver initiative. She serves as the Subject Matter Expert for Surgery, Breast Cancer, and Solid Tumor Cancers, providing medical management for all phases of global oncology clinical trials across multiple cancer types. She is a valued contributor to our Oncology RFP process, offering protocol review and considerations for medical diagnostic and therapeutic anti-cancer agents. Her expertise includes medical scientific oversight, medical review of regulatory documents, protocol implementation, CRF development, and enhanced efficiencies with her strategic outlook and cross-functional collaboration.

Kartin Sood, Founder and CEO of CueBody

Kartin has spent nearly 20 years developing and bringing life-changing therapies into the hands of patients, navigating the complex world of insurance, reimbursement, and provider adoption for leading pharma, medical device, and diagnostic companies. She knows exactly how to take a health solution from concept to reality, and just as importantly, she knows the frustration of being dismissed by the healthcare system firsthand. She has seen too many women told their symptoms are “normal” or “in their head,” only to be diagnosed years later, after suffering and developing chronic conditions that could have been prevented. What sets Kartin apart is her ability to bridge two worlds: the high-stakes, highly regulated side of healthcare where patient access determines whether a therapeutic solution succeeds, and the everyday reality of women who cannot get the answers or care they need. She has spent her career mastering how the system works and she is now using that expertise to level the playing field for women’s health.

Shannon Topinka, MBA, PMP, Founder and CEO of The Collaborative Strategists, Moderator

Shannon is a strategic operations leader with more than 25 years of experience across the life sciences. She is the founder of The Collaborative Strategists, a consulting firm focused on aligning strategy with operations and translating complex plans into practical execution. She currently serves as Vice President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) and is a member of WIB LA. Through her work, Shannon became increasingly aware of the significant opportunities in women’s health, particularly the need to ensure that investments in research and innovation translate into meaningful improvements for patients. She serves on the steering committee of Women’s Health Advocates, co-founded the SoCal Women’s Health Collective, and is building the Women’s Health Hub to strengthen connections and collaboration across the women’s health ecosystem.

Pricing Information

• Members: $10
• Non-Members*: $25

*Not a Member? Click here to learn about the benefits of a WIB Membership — access to our video library, mentorship groups, and more. 

Please read WIB’s Code of Conduct and Refund Policy.

Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed. 

Maximum Capacity

100

Parking Information

Free street parking and small venue parking lot available.

Accessibility Accommodations

This location is fully accessible to those with physical disabilities. If you need any additional accommodations, please contact us ahead of the event at losangeles@womeninbio.org