Keynote Speakers

Dr. Russ S. Weiner, FAAPS, is a globally recognized biopharmaceutical professional with over 30 years of experience in drug development, personalized medicine, regulated bioanalysis, biomarker analysis, and companion diagnostics development. He currently serves as Head of Oncology and Cell Therapy Clinical Biomarker Sciences at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, leading efforts in biomarker sciences and operations within oncology and cell therapy.

Dr. Weiner has been an active member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and currently serves as the President-Elect. Throughout his career, Dr. Weiner has contributed significantly to the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences, with numerous publications and citations to his name. His work has been instrumental in bridging the gap between scientific research and clinical application, particularly in the areas of oncology and personalized medicine. Dr. Weiner’s insights and experiences will provide valuable perspectives to attendees, inspiring the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists.

LinkedIn: Dr Russ Weiner 

Dr. Shannon M. Lauberth is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and a member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on uncovering clinically significant changes in the cancer cell transcriptome and epigenome to understand how these alterations influence patient responses and resistance to cancer therapies.

Dr. Lauberth’s lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing next-generation sequencing, quantitative proteomics, and advanced microscopy techniques. Her work has significantly contributed to cancer research, epigenetics, and gene regulation, providing key insights into oncogenic gene expression and tumor development. As a keynote speaker, she will share her expertise on the latest advancements in cancer biology, offering valuable perspectives to researchers in pharmaceutical sciences and oncology.

LinkedIn: Dr Shannon Lauberth

Dr. Otilia Koo, FAAPS, serves as the Portfolio Vice President of Emerging Technologies at Novo Nordisk, where she leads initiatives to integrate cutting-edge technologies into pharmaceutical development. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Dr. Koo has made significant contributions across small molecules, biologics, and cell therapies. Prior to her role at Novo Nordisk, she held key positions at Bristol Myers Squibb.

Dr. Koo’s leadership was instrumental in the development and successful launch of therapies such as Evotaz® and Ximency™, crucial in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. Her innovative approach has led to advancements in oncology, immunology, and virology, contributing to the approval and launch of two cell therapy products. As a keynote speaker at PGSRM 2025, Dr. Koo will share her extensive experience in pharmaceutical development, offering attendees valuable insights into the integration of emerging technologies and the future landscape of drug development.

LinkedIn: Dr Otilia Koo