Managing Partner
Dan Lichtman became Biomodels’ Managing Partner in 2012. Following sales and marketing positions at Abbott, J+J and Bayer, Mr. Lichtman recognized the opportunities presented by advances in medical technology and founded an in-vitro diagnostic instrumentation company at a time when diagnostics was in its infancy and its distribution was an unsophisticated part of hospital supply. Additionally, Mr. Lichtman saw drug discovery as synergistic with diagnostics and founded a contract research organization. The success of both companies reflects Mr. Lichtman’s commitment to innovation and excellence. He brings his management skills as a CEO and his commitment to translational research to Biomodels to amplify the corporate philosophy of an employee centric culture.
Founder, Partner, Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Sonis is senior academic at Harvard, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and a world-renowned expert in epithelial injury associated with cancer therapy. His development of predictive animal models has enabled the investigation of the biological basis of cancer regimen-related epithelial injury and has catalyzed the development of potential therapies. Dr. Sonis’ interest in the genomic basis for toxicity risk and its pathology has led to innovative genomics-based analytical approaches to clinically actionable outcomes to personalize disease therapy. Steve is the former President of Triad, an international not-for-profit company which focused on the adverse health and economic outcomes of cancer treatment toxicities and serves as a special government employee of the FDA. He has published extensively on the clinical, biological, and health economic aspects of cancer and complications associated with its treatment. Steve holds several patents and is the author of more than 275 original publications, reviews, and chapters and is completing his eleventh book. He obtained degrees from Tufts and Harvard and completed his post-doctoral education (tumor immunology) at Oxford University where he was a Knox Fellow.
Partner, Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Lyng is responsible for the oversight of all of Biomodels’ preclinical research programs, day-to-day management of company operations, and strategic growth of the research/business portfolio. Additionally, Greg works closely with Biomodels’ clients to ensure proper study design and utilization of the most appropriate and clinically relevant models of disease in which to test potential therapeutics. Greg’s scientific expertise lies in the areas of inflammatory disease, cancer supportive care, and diseases of the central nervous system. Since joining Biomodels in 2007, and prior to his role as COO, Greg served in varying capacities, from Scientist to Director of Research. He has been instrumental in the expansion of the business through building client relationships as well as increasing the number and
clinical translatability of the disease models offered by Biomodels. Dr. Lyng received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University at Albany School of Public Health and his B.S. in Neuroscience from St. Lawrence University.
Chief Financial Officer
Cathy Trewin joined Biomodels in 2012 as its Chief Financial Officer bringing with her extensive experience with pre-clinical research and medical diagnostic instrumentation companies including Inter-Medico, NoAb BioDiscoveries, and LabOne. In addition, she has held public accounting and other industry positions at KPMG, Ernst Young and Avery Dennison. Ms. Trewin holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and is a member of Canadian Institute of Chartered Accounts and holds a CPA, CA designation.
Associate Director- Research Operations
Dr. Parello joined Biomodels in 2016 as an Associate Scientist after completing her post-doctoral studies in the Department of Pathology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where she focused on the development of a clinically relevant, humanized murine model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a conduit for assessing interventions for multiple sclerosis (MS). Caitlin received her PhD from Boston University School of Medicine in 2014, where she adapted two murine models of Shiga Toxin 2- induced kidney injury, and was an NIH- funded pre-doctoral fellow and Russek award winner. At Biomodels, Caitlin has successfully combined her background in adaptive immunity and murine model development, and has incorporated both into assisting clients in addressing questions around product development in areas which include the interaction of the microbiome and immune system, the potential dysbiosis mediating inflammatory/autoimmune disorders, and determining if restoration of eubiosis can be therapeutic for such disorders. Dr. Parello led the establishment of our germ-free/gnotobiotic murine isolator facility, and serves as the lead scientist on microbiome-related studies.
Principal Scientist
Dr. Borkowski joined Biomodels in 2017 as an Associate Scientist after completing his postdoctoral studies in the department of Immunology and Microbial Science at The Scripps Research Institute. His postdoctoral work focused on elucidating novel mechanisms of wound healing based on the recognition of lipid antigens in the skin. Andrew received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Diego in 2014, where he discovered a role for toll-like receptor 3 in skin permeability barrier repair. Dr. Borkowski has diverse interests in the field of immunology, including host-microbe interactions, the influence of the microbiome on human health, and the dynamics of physical and immunological barrier
surfaces. Andrew’s Biomodels’ portfolio focuses on projects associated with innate and adaptive immunity at barrier sites, and interventions targeting inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Senior Scientist II
Dr. Smith joined Biomodels in 2017 as an Associate Scientist after completing her postdoctoral work at Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School) where her work focused on understanding the relationship between checkpoint inhibitor expression patterns and the functional capabilities of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the context of head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma. Nicole received her Ph.D. from Boston University School of Medicine in 2016, where she developed a novel murine model that enabled the study of heterotypic adaptive immune memory responses following lung infections with Streptococcus Pneumoniae. In addition, using this model, she identified a novel lung localization pattern for antigen-specific tissue-resident memory Th17 cells. Nicole’s expertise in model development, and her diverse background and expertise in the fields of adaptive immunity and mucosal and cancer immunology have made her an immediate contributor to expanding scope of models and clinical indications.
Scientist II
Dr. McKayla Nicol joined Biomodels in 2022 as a Scientist I after completing a dual title PhD program in Pathobiology and Clinical and Translational Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University. McKayla’s graduate research as an NIH-funded pre-doctoral fellow focused on understanding the disease pathogenicity of multiple high-impact respiratory pathogens and developing novel methods to safeguard against known bioweapons. This work involved both in vivo and in vitro studies at BSL2 and BSL3 levels. McKayla also earned two bachelor’s degrees from the Pennsylvania State University in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. She has worked across a variety of interdisciplinary projects and has experience in infectious diseases, microbiology, immunology, engineering, multi-omics, and more. At Biomodels, McKayla is using her diverse background to develop and execute studies in several areas of focus. She is also leading the expansion of oncology centered models and capabilities for the company.
Business Development Manager
Ashlee Graham serves as Biomodels’ Business Development and Contracts Manager. Since joining Biomodels in 2010 Ashlee has immersed herself in all aspects of the business. Ashlee has been an instrumental part of developing processes and polices for human resources, purchasing, and operations. Over the last three years Ashlee's primary focus has shifted to business development, client contracting (Confidentiality and Master Research Agreements) and marketing. Ashlee is responsible for developing, facilitating and maintaining relationships with clients – our major priority - as a point of contact from initial inquiry through project completion.
Animal Research Facility Manager
Samantha Rogers joined Biomodels in 2011 as a Research Technician and through a great commitment to our research programs is now our Animal Research Facility Manager. Samantha utilizes her breadth of experience in in vivo research to support the scientific team and ensure that our clients’ projects are performed with technical rigor. Sam is also responsible for laboratory scheduling, facility oversight, regulatory compliance and serves as a vendor liaison. Samantha graduated from Mt. Ida College with her BS in Veterinary Technology.
Lab Supervisor and IACUC Chair
Brett Van Dam serves as Biomodels Lab Supervisor and IACUC Chair. Since joining Biomodels in 2013, Brett has utilized his training in animal health/welfare, as well as his technical expertise, to develop and lead a wide variety of translational disease models. In addition to his role as IACUC chair, Brett supervises the day-to-day in-vivo operations and serves as an animal research specialist to provide additional support and training to our technical team. Brett graduated with a BS in Animal Technology from Mount Ida College.
Specializing in comprehensive histological analysis, Dallas Tissue Research (DTR) excels in processing and examining animal and human tissue samples. DTR’s expert team ensures meticulous research through cutting-edge methodologies, providing valuable insights for pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic institutions. Complemented by consultation services, DTR is committed to delivering precise, actionable data to propel your research forward.
Ms. Cunneen serves as Biomodels’ principal consultant for animal health and regulatory affairs. Michele has been instrumental in assisting with laboratory space design as Biomodels has grown. She and her colleagues ensure regulatory compliance (USDA, OLAW, and AAALAC) and animal welfare. Michele plays an active role in training technical staff, oversight of facilities, and coordination of Biomodels’ IACUC. Ms. Cunneen operates Animal Research Consulting LLC and has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of animal facilities and animal care programs.
BioModels was founded in 1997 by Dr. Edward Fey, Dr. Stephen T. Sonis, and Harry Barnett. Drs. Fey and Sonis, both employees of Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the time, recognized that there was a critical need for access to highly translational disease models to de-risk biotech/pharmaceutical companies’ transition from the laboratory to the clinic. They also realized that many of the models used by Brigham investigators could be adapted for drug development and modified to focus on clinical endpoints. In collaboration with the Brigham, and using models developed by Dr. Stephen Sonis for the study of oral mucositis as a prototype, the company was started.
As the company has grown over the past 25+ years, BioModels has expanded its personnel, space, and expertise. In 2012 Daniel Lichtman joined BioModels as Managing Partner and shortly thereafter, then Director of Research Dr. Gregory D. Lyng also became a partner. After more than a decade in Watertown, MA, BioModels moved to its current location in Waltham, MA in 2019. The new location’s 25,000+ square feet allowed for the development of a purpose-built facility to support multiple vivarium’s, procedure rooms, surgical suites as well as in vitro spaces to support cell culture, microbiology, and our ever-expanding selection of assays/technology. Our AALAC accredited state-of-the-art facility enhances our ability to continue to develop a wide range of models in immunology/inflammatory disease, cancer supportive care, oncology, pulmonary, fibrosis, metabolic diseases, among many other indications. Our location makes it easy for companies in the Boston area to work with us an extension of their labs, coming in to observe procedures, picking up fresh samples, or providing us with fresh materials/test articles that are necessary for their projects.
BioModels provides a start-to-finish solution that takes you from initial inquiry to study execution and data delivery. Our collaborative approach allows us to combine your study needs and our expertise to design and conduct a study that yields accurate and actionable data.
Initial Inquiry: By filling out the contact us form, our Business Development Manager will contact you withing 1 business day to provide you with any additional information requested as well as an introduction to a Scientist on our team.
Concept & Consultation: Our expert scientists will then set up a meeting to discuss our capabilities in the context of your specific project goals and your science. This is often the catalyst for getting a CDA in place.
Study Design: Based on your unique project goals/needs, we will create a customized study plan and quote that outlines all of your study specifics (disease model, number of animals/groups, dosing route/schedule, endpoints, samples collections, etc).
Services Agreement & Work Order: Once a study design is finalized, we generate formal services agreements that will be reviewed and signed by both parties.
Study Initiation & Data Updates: Upon receipt of signed study agreements, the project will be scheduled (typically starting within 3-4 weeks), and we will execute the project. Along the way, your lead scientist will always be available to provide data updates and answer any questions that may arise during the project progression.
Data Analyses & Final Report: Upon completion of the study, your lead scientist will provide you with a final data update and an informal overview of the results. This often spawns additional discussion and potentially the addition of other endpoints from the samples collected. Upon completion of all work and review of all data, we will issue a comprehensive draft and final report of the study result
BioModels, a Boston-based preclinical Contract Research Organization, has consistently provided our biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic clients with expertly conducted and highly translational rodent models of disease since our inception in 1997. Our scientific expertise spans the fields of immunology/inflammation, with expertise in IBD, as well as cancer supportive care, pulmonary disease, fibrosis, oncology, and many other indications. We’ve conducted studies in collaboration with more than 300 unique companies over the past decade. Many of the world’s most respected biotech and pharmaceutical companies regularly rely on BioModels’ expertise and efficiency to conduct their outsourced preclinical research.
What Makes Us Unique?
Personalized Service: We view our clients as collaborators rather than customers. The result is an active engagement in personal service and scientific discussions to develop and execute your studies. At BioModels, you will work with a PhD level scientist who is an expert in your selected disease indication. Your scientific partner will be your primary resource to assist in study design, monitor quality control, and provide timely updates on study progress, allowing for real time decisions that often result in improved study outcomes.
Innovative Solutions: Customized animal models are often needed to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of medicine and science. BioModels specializes in the development of custom disease models to accommodate novel therapeutics and disease indications for which the current animal models are insufficient or do not exist. For our clients, this results in successful preliminary testing of compounds in emerging (or understudied) therapeutic areas, mechanism of action studies, and the identification of novel molecular biomarkers of disease.
Translational Disease Models: Core to the BioModels mission is to provide clinically relevant and highly translational models of human diseases. Providing this distinctive service at a consistently high level of quality is made possible by the unique blend of professionals comprising the BioModels team. The combination of skill-sets produce an efficient team with a track record of enabling well over 100 novel therapeutics to move from test tube to patients.
Accredited
BioModels has earned accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) for upholding the highest standards in animal use and care.
BioModels is compliant with all U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards.
*BioModels is compliant with all Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) policies and guidelines.