From the laboratory to the boardroom, Nancy Stagliano, Ph.D. ’96, has built a career defined by bold pivots, scientific rigor and an unwavering focus on turning discovery into medicines that matter.

Her journey in biotechnology began with a fascination with the brain and a conviction that science is strongest when it is collaborative, translational and deeply rooted in patient need. That philosophy took shape at the Miller School while she earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience.

“The interdisciplinary training mirrored the complexity of real medical problems,” Dr. Stagliano said. “Research questions were rooted in patient need, and collaboration was the norm.”

She trained in the laboratory of W. Dalton Dietrich, Ph.D., scientific director of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. He recalled her early leadership instincts.

“Nancy always thought beyond the bench,” said Dr. Dietrich, who is also professor of neurological surgery. “She exemplifies the drive needed to translate discovery science into impactful therapies.”

Personal loss sharpened that focus. While she was completing her Ph.D., Dr. Stagliano’s father was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease and passed away soon after. This cemented her commitment to applied research and therapeutic development. Later, after a postdoctoral position at Harvard Medical School, the deaths of her mother and uncle from pancreatic cancer drew her into oncology and reinforced for her the urgency of medical innovation.

Dr. Stagliano’s career has never followed a straight line. She initially trained as an electrical engineer, then pivoted to neuroscience. She turned from researcher to biotech leader, from founder to CEO, and from mentor to advocate — embracing change to amplify impact.

She has served as CEO of four companies, including her current role at Neuron23, where she leads efforts to develop targeted therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Among the achievements she’s most proud of is her work with True North Therapeutics, where she helped the drug Enjaymo (sutimlimab-jome) gain FDA approval for cold agglutinin disease, a rare autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Dr. Stagliano holds numerous patents and is committed to mentoring first-time CEOs and emerging entrepreneurs. She attributes her success to calculated risk-taking and strong alliances with institutions, investigators and mentors.

Looking ahead, Dr. Stagliano says she is energized by the future of neuroscience. “The brain is the field’s final frontier, with extraordinary promise emerging from genetics, artificial intelligence and innovative therapeutics,” she said.