Team
Alan Tomusiak, PhD
CEO
After earning his degree from Stanford University, Alan developed a deep passion for addressing aging—the primary risk factor underlying most diseases. He investigated the mechanisms driving age-associated diseases through a PhD at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging before founding Permanence Bio to translate these insights into therapies.
Carlos Galicia, PhD
Head of Chemoprevention
Carlos has long been interested in how aging limits human potential—and how we might change that. As an undergraduate at the University of Idaho, he studied regeneration of the central nervous system. He later earned a PhD in the Biology of Aging at the Buck Institute, where he focused on using high-dimensional data to understand and control complex biological systems. Carlos enjoys tinkering with molecular tools and leverages high-throughput assays and computational approaches to solve biological challenges. Now, as Head of Chemoprevention at Permanence Bio, he works to discover compounds that prevent cancer-inducing DNA lesions.
Dianna Xing, PhD
Head of Redox Biology
Dianna first discovered her passion for free radical biology as an undergraduate at Grinnell College. Inspired by the clinical potential of targeting redox imbalances in human disease, she became driven to translate basic science into therapies that improve patient outcomes. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she focused on redox signaling in cancer, before later expanding her work into the biology of aging and longevity through a postdoc at UC Berkeley.
At Permanence Bio, Dianna integrates her expertise across cancer, metabolism, and age-related diseases to develop novel redox-targeted strategies to prevent cancer and chronic disease.
Advisors
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Jim Frederich, PhD - Chemistry Advisor
An expert in the intersection of organic chemistry and cancer, Dr. Jim Frederich and his laboratory at Florida State University are working with Permanence Bio to develop the next generation of therapeutics for preventing damage to the genome.
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Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez, MD, PhD – Clinical Advisor
Dr. Vilar-Sanchez is a physician-scientist at MD Anderson Cancer Center specializing in hereditary cancer syndromes and cancer prevention. His work on Lynch syndrome and DNA repair mechanisms helps shape the company’s clinical strategy.
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Sir John Burn, MD – Clinical Advisor
A global leader in cancer prevention, Sir John Burn has over two decades of experience conducting trials in Lynch Syndrome. His expertise in translational medicine is instrumental in guiding the company’s approach to early intervention.
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Vera Gorbunova, PhD – Scientific Advisor
Dr. Gorbunova is a leader in aging and cancer resistance research. Her work on DNA repair in long-lived species provides valuable insights into new approaches for reducing cancer risk at the cellular level.
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Winfried Edelmann, PhD – Scientific Advisor
Dr. Edelmann is an expert in DNA mismatch repair and its role in cancer susceptibility. His foundational research has been critical in understanding how genomic instability drives cancer, helping inform the company’s therapeutic development.
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Jason Sheltzer, PhD – Scientific Advisor
Dr. Sheltzer’s research focuses on cancer genetics and identifying new therapeutic targets. His expertise in oncogene function and tumor vulnerabilities contributes to the scientific foundation of the company’s prevention strategies.
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Alex Cagan, PhD – Scientific Advisor
Dr. Cagan’s work at the Sanger Institute explores how mutations accumulate in healthy tissues over time. His research helps shape strategies to slow or prevent the cellular changes that lead to cancer.
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Matt Donne, PhD – Operational Advisor
Matt Donne brings deep experience in biotech operations, strategy, and planning. He has been deeply impactful in steering Permanence Bio through its early stages.
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Eugene Kim, JD – Legal Advisor
Eugene Kim specializes in biotech law, guiding early-stage companies on corporate structuring, IP strategy, and regulatory compliance.