Our Team
External Science Advisors
The Alliance’s esteemed external science advisors lend their expertise to philanthropists investing in basic science. As accomplished researchers and leaders of distinguished institutions, they bring a wealth of experience with firsthand knowledge of how great research is done and how philanthropists can support it.
Thomas R. Cech, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder
Fleming Crim, Ph.D.
John E. Willard and Hilldale Professor of Chemistry Emeritus, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Marc Kastner, Ph.D.
Donner Professor of Physics Emeritus, MIT; Adjunct Professor of Physics, Stanford University
Margaret Leinen, Ph.D.
Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Vice Chancellor for Marine Science, University of California, San Diego
Carla J. Shatz, Ph.D.
Sapp Family Provostial Professor of Biology and Neurobiology and the Catherine Holman Johnson Directorship of Bio-X, Stanford University
Shirley M. Tilghman, Ph.D.
President Emerita and Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Affairs, Princeton University
Staff
France A. Córdova, Ph.D.
President and Ex Officio Board Member, Science Philanthropy Alliance
Elenoa Fuka
Assistant Director of Operations
Daren Ginete, Ph.D.
Associate Advisor
Andrew Golnar, Ph.D.
Fellow
Elyse A. Hope, Ph.D.
Strategic Initiative Manager
Kate Lowry, Ph.D.
Strategy Director
Sue Merrilees
Senior Director, Philanthropic Advising
Bishakha Mona, Ph.D.
Associate Advisor
Mary Thurston
Program Manager, Office of the President
Elizabeth Weiss
Director, Philanthropic Advising
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Considerations of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) create a stronger, more productive scientific enterprise by widening opportunity and making a place for every talent. A commitment to DEI is integral to the work of the Science Philanthropy Alliance, which is dedicated to the advancement of science, and to the success of our members. We strive to reflect this commitment both through our culture as a staff and in our work supporting philanthropists.
We believe that philanthropy can be a powerful tool to deploy resources in a way that creates a diverse, equitable, and inclusive scientific enterprise.
The Science Philanthropy Alliance staff commits to do the following:
- Strive toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture as a team, including awareness of how our own background, beliefs, and bias influence our work.
- Create opportunities for ourselves and others to learn by remaining open to feedback and candid about our own missteps.
- Lead by example to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the philanthropic and scientific communities.
- As advisor and convener, help science philanthropists incorporate considerations of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pursuit of their goals.
You can read more about the Alliance’s approach to advancing DEI here.