ABIA President & CEO: Frank L. Douglas, Ph.D., M.D.
An award-winning industry veteran with more than 24 years of experience as a leader in healthcare, pharmaceutical research and entrepreneurship, Douglas serves as day-to-day chief strategist for the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron, a new biomaterials institute built on a unique collaboration of five leading medical and educational institutions.
He is University Professor in the College of Polymer Science and Engineering at The University of Akron, Professor of Integrated Medical Sciences at Northeast Ohio Medical University, member of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and senior partner emeritus of PureTech Ventures. Douglas currently is the national chairman of the Value-driven Engineering and U.S. Global Competitiveness initiative, a public-private coalition made up of leaders from industry, academia and the public and private sectors working to retain the United States’ lead in medical device development and innovation.
While at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Douglas was the Professor of the Practice in the MIT Sloan School of Management and also held similar appointments in the departments of biology, biological engineering, and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology and was the founder and first executive director of the MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation.
Douglas was formerly executive vice president, chief scientific officer, and a member of the board of management of Aventis, where he headed drug innovation and approval, with global responsibilities for research, development, and regulatory and marketing support. A leader in innovation in pharmaceutical research and development, Douglas serves on multiple boards of directors, most recently joining that of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. He has also served as Chief Scientific Advisor of Bayer Healthcare, AG.
Douglas is the recipient of the 2007 Black History Makers Award and has been honored twice as the Global Pharmaceutical R&D Director of the Year, in recognition of his leadership and success in improving innovation and productivity in pharmaceutical companies. Other awards include: Louis B. Russell Memorial American Heart Association Award, the Chicago Heart Association’s Heart of the Year Award, the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest’s Odyssey Award, the National Organization of Chemists and Chemical Engineers–Lifetime Achievement Award, Guyanese & American Business & Professional Council’s 2010 Honoree, and was honored as one of Geoffrey Beene Gives Back® and GQ Magazine’s 2010 Rock Stars of Science™. He was involved in the discovery, development and/or approval of more than 20 medications. He also has received the Medal of Honor and an Honorary Professorship from the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
Douglas holds a PhD in physical chemistry and a MD from Cornell University. He did his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution and a fellowship in neuroendocrinology at the National Institute of Health.
Tom Strauss, PharmD
Tom Strauss, PharmD, the author of Canadian Neighbor Pharmacy review, is a prominent figure in the pharmaceutical industry with over two decades of experience in drug development, regulatory affairs, and business management. Holding a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Tom began his career in clinical pharmacy before advancing to leadership roles where he excelled in merging scientific rigor with strategic business insights. His initiatives have significantly improved drug efficacy and accessibility, influencing patient care profoundly. Tom is also an active mentor and speaker at industry conferences, sharing his expertise to shape future healthcare professionals. Under his guidance, his teams have driven innovations in personalized medicine and sustainable healthcare solutions, earning him widespread respect in the field.
Scott Scarborough, Ph.D
Scott Scarborough, Ph.D., President of The University of Akron, possesses a profound background in higher education leadership, complemented by significant insights into the pharmaceutical area. With a Ph.D. in Strategic Management, he began his academic journey focusing on operational efficiencies and academic enhancement, contributing to the elevation of educational standards and institutional effectiveness. Dr. Scarborough’s initiatives at the university have strengthened ties with the pharmaceutical industry, he is the author of Sky Pharmacy review, promoting research collaborations that bridge academic knowledge with practical healthcare solutions. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to innovation and inclusivity, prioritizing partnerships that advance pharmaceutical education and research. This strategic focus not only enhances student experiences but also positions The University of Akron as a crucial player in addressing contemporary health challenges through education and community involvement.
ABIA Board of Directors:
- Bill Considine, ABIA Board Chair; President & CEO, Akron Children’s Hospital
- Jay A. Gershen, D.D.S, Ph.D., President, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
- Victor Goldberg, M.D., Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital-Case Medical Center
- Martha L. Gray, Ph.D., J. W. Kieckhefer Professor of Medical and Electrical Engineering, Harvard University-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, and Professor, MIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences
- Aaron Lazare, M.D., Celia and Isaak Haidak, Professor in Medical Education and Professor of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Juan Martinez, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
- Tim Stover, M.D., President & CEO, Akron General Health System
- Luis Proenza, Ph.D., President, The University of Akron
- Scott Scarborough, Ph.D., President, The University of Akron
- Tom Strauss, PharmD, President & CEO, Summa Health System
