Lucienne Ronco, PhD, interim Head of Research and Development, Chair Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Ronco brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to her role as interim Head of Research and Development and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board at MasKidney, leveraging her extensive background in translational medicine and therapeutic development. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Dr. Ronco has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research and drug development in the life sciences field, particularly within rare genetic disorders and oncology.
Currently serving as Chief Scientific Officer at the Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) Society and as an Independent Consultant for the FSHD Clinical Trial Research Network, Dr. Ronco continues to drive forward innovative strategies in clinical trials and therapeutic development in this devastating disease. Her past role as Vice President of Nonclinical Development at Deep Genomics saw her deliver impactful translational medicine strategies for therapeutic oligonucleotide drugs.
At Fulcrum Therapeutics, Dr. Ronco excelled as Vice President of Translational Medicine, overseeing drug development strategies across multiple clinical programs, including FSHD, sickle cell disease, and COVID-19. Her leadership in identifying and developing novel disease-modifying therapies and establishing clinical strategies has been instrumental in advancing these programs.
Dr. Ronco’s tenure at the Broad Institute as Director of the Center for the Development of Therapeutics demonstrated her prowess in managing complex drug discovery projects. She led efforts on therapeutic projects for mucin1 kidney disease and TMPRSS2-ERG prostate cancer, building and leading international teams to achieve significant scientific milestones.
Her extensive experience also includes leadership roles at AstraZeneca and Pfizer, where she led global translational science teams to develop clinical strategies and deliver for early development of the Company’s oncology and infectious disease portfolios.
Dr. Ronco holds a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Tufts University and a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA. She completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard Medical School. Her contributions to the field are further highlighted by her patents and inventions, including novel approaches for treating FSHD and detecting tumor sensitivity to therapeutic agents.
Dr. Anthony Bleyer – Member of the MasKidney Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Bleyer is a renowned Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, where he has dedicated over three decades to advancing the understanding and treatment of rare inherited kidney diseases.
Dr. Bleyer completed his medical education at Baylor College of Medicine, followed by an internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins University and a nephrology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Since joining the faculty at Wake Forest School of Medicine, he has become a leading expert in the field, spearheading the Rare Inherited Kidney Disease Team. His research has been pivotal in identifying key genetic mutations that cause various inherited kidney conditions, including UMOD, MUC1, and REN.
His groundbreaking work began in 1995 with the identification of a mutation in the UMOD gene, which led to the discovery of autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease. Dr. Bleyer’s collaborations have further advanced the field, notably with Dr. Stan Kmoch at Charles University, where they uncovered mutations in REN, SAA1, and other genes related to inherited kidney disease. His collaboration with the Broad Institute’s Dr. Lander was instrumental in identifying mutations in MUC1 as a cause of autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease.
Dr. Bleyer’s extensive research has resulted in significant publications and contributions to the field, including critical studies on the genetic basis of kidney diseases and their clinical implications. His leadership in clinical research has also been showcased through his extensive work with families affected by these rare conditions, identifying approximately 240 families with UMOD mutations and 135 with MUC1 mutations.
As a member of the MasKidney Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Bleyer will bring invaluable expertise and insight to our research efforts, guiding our initiatives to further our understanding and treatment of rare kidney diseases. His deep knowledge and commitment to advancing nephrology research make him a vital asset to our team as we strive to achieve new breakthroughs in the field.
Stanislav Kmoch, PhD – Member of the Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Kmoch brings a wealth of expertise and a distinguished career in genetics, rare diseases, and biomedicine to our team.
Dr. Kmoch holds a PhD equivalent degree in Medical Sciences from the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague, where he also serves as a professor of Genetics and Biology. His academic journey includes a comprehensive background in chemistry and biology, with advanced roles in both teaching and research. He has held pivotal positions such as Head of the Research Program at the Biotechnology and Biomedicine Center of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University, and has been an Adjunct Associate Professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina.
With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Kmoch has made significant contributions to our understanding of various genetic disorders, including metabolic diseases, chronic kidney diseases, and rare genetic conditions. His research has led to groundbreaking findings in the genetic basis of numerous conditions, ranging from purine metabolism disorders to neurodevelopmental diseases.
Dr. Kmoch has been instrumental in numerous research projects and grants, including recent significant funding from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic. His work is widely recognized, with numerous awards, patents, and over 165 publications to his name, reflecting his impactful contributions to the field.
In addition to his research and academic achievements, Dr. Kmoch is actively involved in the application sector, serving on the advisory board of BioVendor group and as Chief Science Officer of GeneSpector s.r.o. His international collaborations and editorial roles further underscore his commitment to advancing the frontiers of medical research.
As a member of our Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Kmoch will provide invaluable guidance and insight, helping to steer our research initiatives and drive innovative solutions to address critical medical challenges. His extensive experience and distinguished track record make him a key asset to our team as we strive to make meaningful advancements in the field of biomedicine.