Executive Team
Jonathan G. Lasch: Director
Dr. Lasch brings more than 25 years of experience in science and technology development and evaluation in the fields of biomedical instruments and systems, biotechnology, chemistry, and materials science. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a PhD in Chemistry and the University of Texas at El Paso with a BS in Biological Science. Dr. Lasch comes to AMI from Convergent Ventures, an early stage venture investment and development company, where he served as managing director. He has also served as chairman of the board and CEO of ORFID Corporation, is a director of Encode Bio, Inc., and was the founding CEO and member of the board of directors of Neurion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., all Convergent Ventures portfolio companies. Dr. Lasch has held leadership positions at Materia (a materials science company spun out of Caltech) and Cyrano Sciences (a Caltech spin-out based on chemical sensor technology), and was director of research, biotechnology, for PPG Industries. Previously, he served as vice president, technology development for The Scripps Research Institute, the largest not-for-profit biomedical research institute in the United States. Dr. Lasch will use his experience to expand AMI’s efforts to develop technologies that improve human health and the practice of medicine.
Mac Chapman: Associate Director
Mr. Chapman has 40 years experience in technology and product development for the civil, military and commercial areas. He obtained his BS and MS degrees in Physics from Ohio University, and performed doctoral studies at UCLA. He joined Northrop Corporation’s Research Laboratory in 1959, where he was selected as Man of the Year. He joined TRW in 1966 where he held a number of positions in the space, defense and automotive businesses. His experience span includes technical design, functional management, program management and business development. His leadership resulted in numerous NASA and military awards, and the Chairman's Award for Innovation at TRW.
Cesar Blanco: Head of Engineering and Project Management
Dr. Blanco graduated from UCLA with a BA in Biology. While employed as a Staff Research Associate and Space Planner he developed an interest in the field of motor control. He returned to UCLA in 1987 to complete a PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology in 1991. After completing a fellowship at the UCLA Brain Research Institute in 1995, he accepted a Faculty position with USC where he taught Human Physiology for the Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and conducted research on: 1) the effects of anabolic steroids on respiratory motor control with grant support from the National Institutes of Health; and 2) the cell biology of tendon injuries plasticity and repair. He transitioned into the corporate world in late 2002 to pursue his professional and life ambition of contributing to the betterment of health care provision.
Susan Cooper: Senior Business Officer
Ms. Cooper brings a wealth of experience with operating an institute within the walls of a large and successful university. She is managing the Institute’s financial matters, and is also heading the Human Resources function and Purchasing Operations at AMI.
Ms. Cooper graduated with a BA from the California State University, Long Beach and has worked for the University of Southern California for over 26 years. She has worked in several departments; administrative, academic and research at USC, including University Payroll Services, Thornton School of Music, Rossier School of Education and the Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research in the Keck School of Medicine. She has served on the USC Staff Assembly. Her favorite sport is USC Football. She joined AMI in February 2000.
Nathalie Gosset: Manager of Marketing and Business Development
Ms. Gosset has 20 years experience in the development and commercialization of technology-based products (medical, oil and gas instrumentation, and telecom). The first 15 years of her career were in Engineering, starting from design, continuing onto the management of large engineering programs, and finishing with several start up companies requiring Engineering makeover (turnaround). Her previous job was Vice President of Engineering at Sabeus, Inc. Ms. Gosset has received several awards for professional excellence and innovative leadership. At Alcatel, she received an Outstanding Achiever Award and five Quality Cups (a prestigious recognition at Alcatel).
At AMI, Ms. Nathalie Gosset is responsible for Marketing and Business Development. She develops product specific strategic business strategies for each new invention sponsored by AMI. Ms. Nathalie Gosset is well connected to the medical and bioengineering community. She is a member of several medical advisory, board of directors, as well as venture firm review committees. She was elected the 2007 Northern America Representative of the international IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. She recently received the 2005 Outstanding IEEE-Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Chapter Award, a global recognition. She holds a BSEE from ISEP (Paris, France); MS in Telecommunications (University of Colorado, Boulder, CO); MBA (University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN)
Arman H. Nadershahi, Manager of Regulatory and Legal Affairs
Mr. Nadershahi, a registered patent attorney, serves as General Counsel and Intellectual Property Manager at AMI. Mr. Nadershahi graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BA in Zoology and English Literature. He then simultaneously completed a Master’s degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. During law school, Mr. Nadershahi served as a staff member and editor of Minnesota Law Review and co-founded an educational nonprofit corporation with nationwide operations. Mr. Nadershahi also earned an M.S. in Regulatory Science at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, and has obtained Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC). After law school, Mr. Nadershahi practiced intellectual property law in Southern California as an associate at Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP. His legal practice focused on patent prosecution, licensing, and intellectual property litigation in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Mr. Nadershahi is a member of the State Bar of California and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As General Counsel and Intellectual Property Manager at AMI, Mr. Nadershahi is responsible for general legal matters, new technology screening, intellectual property procurement and management, business development, and technology transfer.
Frances Richmond: Regulatory and Clinical Manager
Dr. Richmond was educated as a neurophysiologist (BNSc, MSc, PhD) at Queen’s University in Canada. She held a range of positions in its research and administrative structure: Full Professor (1985-2000), Associate Dean of Life Sciences (1986-1989); and Director of the MRC Group in Sensor-Motor Neuroscience (1995-2000). In 1999 Dr. Richmond moved to the University of Southern California, where she is the Manager of Regulatory and Clinical Sciences at AMI. She has had an active research program in both basic science and product development. Frances has published more than 90 papers and has taught courses related to food and medical product regulation. In the School of Pharmacy Dr. Richmond directs a novel interdisciplinary MS program in Regulatory Science that concentrates on the regulatory management of foods, dietary supplements, medical devices and drugs.
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