Matt McMahon leads the SEED Office in helping to transform cutting-edge technologies into products that improve health and save lives. He previously served as the first director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Office of Translational Alliances and Coordination, and he created and led the National Eye Institute’s Office of Translational Research. His previous experience also includes service as the principal scientist for the bionic eye company Second Sight Medical Products and as a staff member on both the United States Senate and House of Representatives committees responsible for science, technology, and innovation policy.

Stephanie Fertig has more than twenty years of experience in translational research and has led the creation and implementation of multiple programs focused on small businesses and product development at NIH.  She currently oversees the Health and Human Services Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and is co-chair of the Entrepreneurial Workforce Diversity Working Group.

Chris Sasiela has over fifteen years of experience providing support and consultation to academic innovators and small businesses engaged in therapeutic, device, and diagnostic development programs. She coordinates the activities of a team of seasoned professionals with expertise in all areas of product and business development, including fundraising, partnerships, reimbursement, and regulatory affairs.

As a Project Manager for SEED, Taylor Bethea-Leeper coordinates the annual release of the Small Business Program Omnibus NOFOs and reporting to the SBA, and supports Small Business Program-oriented working groups across NIH. Prior to SEED, Taylor worked as a project manager for various biotechnology firms as well as a non-profit organization.  

Kate Fritz facilitates the execution of SEED’s strategic initiatives, engages with key stakeholders to promote trans-NIH entrepreneurial activities, and works to optimize SEED resources and workflow. She has supported U.S. small businesses across multiple industries for nearly two decades.

Pablo Gersten has worked at NIH since August 2000. He supported the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in various roles for 16 years before joining the NIH Office of Extramural Research in October 2016. His technical background is in network administration, but he has worked in project management, business analysis, and strategic business management since 2007. Pablo joined SEED in August 2021 as a Senior Project Manager for TABA Consulting Services. 

Eric Padmore is SEED’s Senior Advisor, Entrepreneurial Development. He serves as Program Director for I-Corps at NIH and is co-chair of the Entrepreneurial Workforce Diversity Working Group, which devises and implements strategies to expand participation by underrepresented groups in the NIH Small Business Programs.

As a Project Manager for SEED, Todd Rubinstein coordinates the Consulting and Company Showcase Programs, working to connect NIH innovators to SEED’s subject matter experts and follow on funding opportunities.  Prior to SEED, Todd was a high school government teacher.

As a Program Specialist in SEED, Katie works with the Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH) in their efforts to fund early stage proof of concept research and build entrepreneurial ecosystems around the country. Prior to NIH, Katie worked as a Research Coordinator at American University overseeing a major health research study.

As SEED's Presidential Management Fellow, Laura Skow coordinates the NIH Small Business Program due diligence program to assess security risks effective for new SBIR/STTR applications as of September 5, 2023. Prior to SEED, Laura worked for the Human Heredity and Health in Africa Initiative (funded by the NIH Common Fund), supporting first-time and under-represented applicants to NIH Institutes and Centers.

Adam Sorkin has over a decade of experience championing small business research and development. He previously supported Small Business Programs and intramural technology transfer activities at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Prior to joining NIH, Adam led R&D, strategy, and fundraising efforts of start-ups developing novel regenerative medicine and anti-infective applications.