Defne Yarar, Ph.D.

Senior Director, Head of Oncology

Professional Overview
Defne Yarar, Ph.D., is an accomplished oncology leader with over a decade of experience driving innovative research and development in the biopharmaceutical industry. As the Senior Director and Head of Oncology at Nereid Therapeutics, she is responsible for spearheading the company's oncology pipeline, overseeing cross-functional teams, and shaping the strategic direction of the organization's cancer-focused therapeutic efforts.

Experience Summary

Current Role
In her current role at Nereid Therapeutics, Dr. Yarar is responsible for leading the oncology division, where she leverages her deep expertise in cancer biology and immunology to guide the development of novel therapies. She oversees all aspects of the oncology portfolio, including target identification, preclinical research, and the advancement of drug candidates into clinical trials. Under her leadership, the oncology team has achieved significant milestones, including the successful IND filing of a first-in-class immuno-oncology agent and the initiation of a phase 1 clinical study.

Career Progression
Prior to joining Nereid Therapeutics, Dr. Yarar held progressive leadership positions in the field of cancer research and drug development. She served as the Senior Director of Cancer Biology at Omega Therapeutics, where she led a team of scientists in the exploration of epigenetic modulators for oncology applications. Earlier in her career, she held roles of increasing responsibility at SQZ Biotechnologies, including Principal Investigator, Associate Director, and Director of Cancer Immunology, where she made significant contributions to the company's efforts in developing novel cell therapy platforms. Dr. Yarar's experience also includes her tenure as a Senior Scientist and Principal Scientist at Merrimack, where she conducted cutting-edge research in cancer biology.

Academic Background
Dr. Yarar holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where her research focused on the role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and immune evasion. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious scientific journals and has presented her work at leading industry conferences.

Areas of Expertise

• Oncology drug discovery and development

• Cancer biology and tumor immunology

• Translational research and biomarker development

• Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration

• Strategic planning and project management

Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Dr. Yarar has made significant contributions to the field of oncology research and drug development. Her work has resulted in the advancement of several promising cancer therapeutic candidates, including the development of a first-in-class immuno-oncology agent that is currently in clinical trials. She has also played a key role in fostering collaborative partnerships and driving the adoption of innovative technologies within the industry.

Conclusion
With her extensive expertise, proven track record of success, and deep commitment to advancing cancer care, Dr. Defne Yarar is a respected leader in the oncology field. In her current role at Nereid Therapeutics, she is poised to continue driving the development of transformative cancer therapies that have the potential to improve outcomes for patients worldwide.