Last week was a big one for major personnel announcements in the state’s life sciences sector.
The biggest news is the state’s newest medical school, The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, is searching for a new leader as founding president and dean Robert D’Alessandri has stepped down. Chief Academic Officer Marucie Clifton will serve as acting dean while the school conducts a search for its next president. D’Alessandri will serve in an advisory capacity through June.
Also, University City Science Center President Stephen Tang will serve as a Class I Director on the board for Bethlehem-based OraSure Technologies, which has developed groundbreaking diagnostic products, like its OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test.
D’Alessandri’s resignation — “to pursue other opportunities,” according to a school-issued news release — comes as a bit of a surprise considering his relatively short stint in the region. He began his role in 2007 in preparation for the school’s opening 18 months ago. TCMC has had initial challenges – like using other buildings while its own campus is being constructed (it’s expected to be ready by this summer).
Robert Naismith, the chair of TCMC’s board of trustees, says, “We will use this opportunity to put renewed focus on our mission and gain additional commitment from all stakeholders.”
Before joining the Science Center, where he has led the nationally renowned urban research park and incubator to expanded services, real estate and community development in Philadelphia’s University City, Tang worked in the medical diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries. He served as Olympus America Inc.’s first group vide president for life science, managing $1 billion in business in areas like in vitro diagnostics, precision microscopes and translational research instruments.
He also was president, CEO and director of Millennium Cell Inc., a New Jersey-based energy technology firm, and was vice president and managing director of the global pharmaceutical and healthcare practice of A.T. Kearney Inc.
Joe Petrucci is managing editor of Keystone Edge. Send feedback here.
Keystone Edge file photos:
Robert D’Alessandri
Stephen Tang