The therapeutics landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Advances in AI-enabled drug discovery, organ-on-chip and other non-animal models, cell and gene therapies, precision medicine, and novel clinical trial approaches are changing how therapies are discovered and developed. At the same time, evolving regulatory expectations, a more selective investment environment, shifts in federal research funding, and growing pressure around the cost and accessibility of new medicines are reshaping what it takes to move an innovation from the laboratory to the patient.

At Women In Bio Pittsburgh’s P.O.W.E.R. event, leaders from across the life sciences ecosystem will explore these changes and, importantly, what they mean for Pittsburgh and how Pittsburgh can leverage its assets to translate its research into therapies, companies, investment, and ultimately patient impact.

Note: Each ticket includes heavy appetizers and two drink tickets.

Speaker Bios

Nicole Ansani, PharmD, Senior Vice President, New Development Initiatives at UPMC Enterprises 

Nicole’s focus is on optimizing clinical trial partnerships and ensuring innovative care for our patients. Before joining UPMC Enterprises, Nicole spent 20 years at Pfizer, most recently as a senior medical director of women’s health, with a focus on health outcomes and economic research, life cycle management, and consumer segments. Nicole’s experience at Pfizer also included other medical affairs brand roles, digital innovation, and field outcomes research. Nicole began her career as a clinical pharmacist with an emphasis on formulary management and outcomes evaluations. She was the director of drug information at UPMC and assistant professor of pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Nicole obtained both her BS in pharmacy and PharmD degrees at the University of Pittsburgh and completed a specialty residency in drug information at UPMC. 

Laura E. Benjamin, PhD, CEO of Myris Therapeutics

Laura has a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and was an Associate Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School. She held leadership roles with Elli Lilly and was CEO of OncXerna, which led to a successful exit. She is an experienced cancer and vascular biology researcher with a passion for improving patients’ lives through innovative drug discovery and development.

Alicia Palladino, JD, PhD, Partner at Goodwin

Alicia is a partner in Goodwin’s Life Sciences IP Transactions and Strategies (IPTS) Patent Group and is deeply passionate about her clients’ technologies. She emphasizes the importance of partnering with startups early in their journey when establishing and preserving the value of their assets is critical. With a PhD in biomedical science, Alicia leverages her expertise in molecular biology, genetics, cell and gene therapies to help build a robust patent estate with lasting exclusivity. She has guided clients through due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, financing, and IPOs, serving a diverse clientele that includes pharmaceutical companies and pre-clinical and clinical-stage life sciences companies. Alicia collaborates closely with emerging growth companies, advising on life cycle management, regulatory compliance, market exclusivity, and trade secrets to maximize asset value. She also assists with patent term extensions and Orange Book listings, counsels on non-disclosure, consulting, licensing, collaboration and joint venture agreements, prepares and files patent applications, and secures patents across various products, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, diagnostics, and biologics. As an IP attorney, Alicia advises on IP strategy, conducts internal due diligence reviews for pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and drafts agreements to ensure robust IP protection for smoother fundraising processes. Recognized as a Rising Star in IP by Managing IP for four consecutive years, 2022-2025, this list recognizes the best up-and-coming intellectual property practitioners in private practice who have made significant contributions to the success of their firm and clients over the last year. She was also recently named by Legal 500 US a Recommended Lawyer in Patents: Prosecution for 2024, based on comprehensive research and feedback from clients and peers, highlighting her national presence and expertise in handling complex IP matters.

Julie Phillippi, PhD, UPMC Pellegrini Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Moderator

Julie is the UPMC Pellegrini Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Bioengineering with tenure at the University of Pittsburgh. She serves as the Vice Chair for Research and Director of Postdoctoral Research for the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Phillippi leads a research team focused on defining the role of vasa vasorum in cardiopulmonary diseases and leveraging this knowledge to develop preventative and less invasive surgical approaches to treat conditions addressed through cardiothoracic surgery. She is Principal Investigator on multiple current and recently completed NIH, state, and internal awards to fund her team’s research. Dr. Phillippi is a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery, the American Heart Association, the International Society for Applied Cardiovascular Biology and is a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. She has served as an Associate Editor for Science Advances, of the Science family of journals published by AAAS since the journal’s inception in 2014. Dr. Phillippi recently completed service as Chair and a chartered member of the Biomaterials and Biointerfaces study section with NIH’s Center for Scientific Review. Dr. Phillippi is the overall Program Director for a pending NHLBI T32 program renewal application aimed at training the next generation of academic cardiothoracic surgeon scientists as independent researchers and collaborators versed in team science. Dr. Phillippi has dedicated her career to research, mentorship, and translation at the intersection of cardiothoracic surgery, basic science, and bioengineering. This rich experience enables her to provide and practice strategies and formulae for success in forging and managing interdisciplinary research partnerships, finding joy, and thriving academically among trainees and faculty at all career levels. Her publications have garnered >5,000 citations with an h-index of 37. Dr. Phillippi's work in developing vascular extracellular matrix hydrogels led to issued patents in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia. In 2025, she co-founded ORCHID Therapeutics, a local early-stage start-up to advance preventative and regenerative therapeutics for cardiovascular surgical applications, and serves as the company’s President and CEO.

Karin Potoka, MD, FAA, Chief Medical Officer of Noveome Biotherapeutics

Dr. Potoka is a neonatologist and Chief Medical Officer of Noveome Biotherapeutics. She earned her medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She completed her residency in General Pediatrics and fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, also from the University of Pittsburgh. During her fellowship and following completion of her training, she joined the Vascular Medicine Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, under the mentorship of Mark Gladwin, MD. There she was active in translational research in vascular molecular biology. Her scientific focus was on the use of small molecules to treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Potoka is currently a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Northeast Ohio Medical University and attending Neonatologist at Akron Children’s Hospital of Mahoning Valley. Prior to joining Akron Children’s, Dr. Potoka was an attending Neonatologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital, where she was the Director of Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension and was involved in various neonatal clinical trials.

Pricing Information

• Members/Guests: $25
• Student Member: $10
• Non-members*: $40

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

Maximum Capacity

150

Parking Information

Free parking is available on-site in the lot after 5:00 p.m.