Team and Leadership

Dr. Victoria Fox (PhD)

Dr. Victoria Fox is a molecular stem cell biologist, educator, and biotech entrepreneur whose career bridges cutting-edge research, hands-on education, and scientific innovation. She is the co-founder of the LA Biotech Center, CEO of the contract research and consultation company PluriCORE, and a faculty course instructor at California State University Channel Islands.

Dr. Fox previously served as an Assistant Professor of Research at the University of Southern California (USC), where she directed the USC Stem Cell Core Facility. Her contributions to science are global in scope – providing expert training, consultation, and research support to scientists across disciplines and continents. Her research spans fundamental cell biology, disease modeling, and early-stage translational science, with a strong emphasis on stem cell biology.

In 2012, Dr. Fox left USC to establish the LA Biotech Center (formerly Pathways to Stem Cell Science) – a one-of-a-kind private sector hub offering wet-lab facilities, science education, and research support to learners and professionals at every stage of their scientific journey. From high school students to seasoned researchers, the Center provides immersive, hands-on training in a professional biotech setting. There is no other organization in the world that replicates its unique model.

Dr. Fox is also highly experienced in designing and building wet-lab facilities tailored for academic, educational, and industry use. Originally from England, she earned her PhD in stem cell biology at the University of Sheffield, under the mentorship of renowned scientist Peter Andrews, within the UK’s inaugural Center for Stem Cell Biology.

After joining USC in 2007, Dr. Fox led the university’s Stem Cell Core Facility, advancing research and education throughout the Los Angeles area. She also served as vice chair of USC’s Embryonic Stem Cell Research Committee, overseeing the scientific, ethical, and legal integrity of stem cell research on campus.

Among her most recognized achievements is the creation of the USC Stem Cell Core Training Program in 2012, which provided hands-on training in cell and stem cell techniques to thousands of students and scientists worldwide. Now part of the LA Biotech Center, the program continues to expand technical expertise across California and has helped launch the careers of many of today’s leading scientists. It was the first program to offer high school students direct experience in human stem cell research and remains the primary preparatory training provider for interns in CIRM-funded research programs – a legacy that continues today.

Dr. Victoria Fox’s multifaceted career reflects her dedication to advancing science through education, research, and practical application.

Yesai Fstkchyan (PhD)

Dr. Yesai S. Fstkchyan is the Director of Research and Education at the LA Biotech Center. He plays a multifaceted role in advancing the centers research mission and developing hands-on science education programs for students of all ages.

Dr. Fstkchyan is an experienced interdisciplinary cell biologist whose research career spans multiple fields including stem cell biology, genomics, inflammation, virology, immunology, neurodegeneration, cancer biology and cell therapy. His scientific journey began in 2012 as a CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research intern in the laboratory of Jerome A. Zack (UCLA), where he used human pluripotent stem cells to study genes involved in primitive hematopoietic development.

In 2014, he began his doctoral training at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, working briefly with Drs. Kateri Moore and Ihor R. Lemischka on hematopoiesis, cellular reprogramming and cell therapy before joining Dr. Ivan Marazzi’s lab. There, he used mouse pluripotent stem cells, conditional genetics and genomic technologies to uncover the roles for RNA degradation and gene regulation. He also applied cerebral organoids to elucidate mechanisms disrupted in pontocerebellar hypoplasia type II caused by RNA degradation defects.

After completing his PhD, he pursued postdoctoral work to publish and expand his dissertation findings. In 2022, he transitioned to industry as a Scientist in the Genome Analysis Unit at Amgen, developing transplantable iPSC-derived hematopoietic stem cells, epigenetic NGS workflows, immuno-oncology programs, and in vivo disease models. In 2023, he returned to academia as a postdoctoral scientist in Dr. Dan Theodorescu’s lab at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, applying in vivo CRISPR functional genomics to uncover genes driving Y chromosome loss–mediated metastatic bladder cancer and developing iPSC-derived prostate organoid models to study Y chromosome loss in prostate cancer.

An accomplished educator with significant research experience, Dr. Fstkchyan is an major asset to the LA Biotech Center and an inspiration to the students he mentors.

Dr. Thomas Zwaka (MD. PhD)

Dr. Thomas Zwaka is a Professor of Developmental and Regenerative Biology at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he also serves as the founding director of the Huffington Center for Cell Based Research in Parkinson’s Disease. A physician-scientist and biotech innovator, Dr. Zwaka recently co-founded Paratus Sciences alongside renowned scientists Richard Young and Paul Matsudaira, advancing new frontiers in stem cell biology and neurodegenerative disease therapeutics.

Originally from Germany, Dr. Zwaka earned both his MD and PhD from Ulm University, where he also trained as a cardiologist. His transition to stem cell research bean in 2002 during a postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of pioneer Jamie Thomson at the University of Wisconsin. There, Dr. Zwaka helped develop foundational technologies for genetically engineering human stem cells – work that led to highly cited publications and enduring methods still used today.

In 2004, Dr. Zwaka joined the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine, where he held appointments in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy. He was later promoted to co-director of the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, before moving to Mount Sinai in New York.

Dr. Zwaka is internationally recognized for his expertise in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation and has authored more than 64 peer-reviewed scientific papers. His research focuses on the fundamental biology of stem cells and their potential to transform treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond the lab, he is a dedicated mentor and thought leader whose contributions to science and education continue to shape the future of regenerative medicine.

Dr. Martin Pera (PhD)

Dr. Martin Pera is a globally recognized leader in stem cell science and a distinguished professor at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, where his research centers on the regulation of stem cell self-renewal. Over the course of a five-decade career, Dr. Pera has helped shape the field of regenerative medicine through pioneering discoveries, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to scientific excellence.

Dr. Pera previously served as Chair of Stem Cell Sciences at the University of Melbourne and was a founding scientist at the Australian Stem Cell Center. Among his landmark achievements, Dr. Pera was the first to isolate and characterize pluripotent stem cells from human germ cell tumors— laying the foundation for the field of stem cell biology as we know it today. At Monash University, his laboratory became the second in the world to derive human embryonic stem cells and the first to demonstrate their differentiation into somatic cells in vitro.

Dr. Pera has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications that have significantly advanced our understanding of human pluripotency and early development. His scholarship continues to influence a wide range of biomedical disciplines and translational research efforts.

Beyond the bench, Dr. Pera is a passionate advocate for the next generation of scientists. He has mentored countless early-career researchers and fostered international collaborations that have broadened the reach and relevance of stem cell science. He played a pivotal role in establishing stem cell research as a distinct scientific discipline, championing the creation of dedicated funding sources, research infrastructure, and professional societies.

Through his acclaimed podcast, The Stem Cell Report with Martin Pera, he provides timely insights into emerging discoveries and ethical debates, helping to keep the global scientific community informed and engaged.

Dr. Pera’s leadership extends across continents. He was the founding chair of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the University of Southern California, Director of Embryonic Stem Cell Research at the Australian Stem Cell Center, Program Leader of Stem Cells Australia, and Chair of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). He continues to advise national and international regulatory bodies, including the steering group of the International Stem Cell Initiative, which sets global standards for stem cell research.

Dr. Pera’s legacy is one of profound and lasting impact. His work has not only laid the foundation for modern stem cell science but also inspired a generation of researchers and accelerated the promise of regenerative medicine for patients worldwide.

Dr. Pamela Eversole-Cire (PhD)

Dr. Pamela Eversole-Cire is the director of the Biotechnology and CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research Programs at Pasadena City College (PCC), where she has spent over two decades advancing inclusive STEM education and workforce development. A dedicated educator with more than 40 years of experience, Dr. Eversole-Cire has mentored and trained hundreds of students – mainly from underrepresented and underserved communities – preparing them for careers in biotechnology and regenerative medicine.

Dr. Eversole-Cire earned her PhD from the University of Southern California in 1994 and went on to serve as a Research Fellow at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for six years, contributing to cutting-edge research in molecular biology. In 2001, she joined the faculty at PCC, where she has played a pivotal role in building hands-on, research-driven programs that connect students with real-world biotech opportunities.

Dr. Eversole-Cire continues to maintain an active research affiliation as a Visiting Associate in Biology, with the Division of Biology and Engineering at Caltech. Her enduring commitment to hands-on science education, mentorship and biotechnology has helped shape the next generation of life science professionals and greatly enhanced the LA Biotech Centers missions.

Mr. Mark Cervi (CPA)

Mark Cervi is the co-founder, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the LA Biotech Center, where he oversees all aspects of financial administration, including accounting, budgeting and tax compliance. His strategic leadership supports the Center’s mission to accelerate innovation and hands-on science education.

With over two decades of diverse experience in finance and business advisory, Mr. Cervi currently serves as a Senior Director at AlixPartners. Int his role, he provides interim management and financial advisory services to distressed companies, lenders and unsecured creditors – guiding clients through complex restructuring, bankruptcy proceedings and. out-of-court settlements.

A certified public accountant (CPA) Mr. Cervi began his career in tax and assurance services at Price Waterhouse Coopers. His deep expertise in financial planning, cash management and operational tourn around has made him a trusted advisor across diverse industries ranging from biotechnology to manufacturing.

Joseph Bobek III 

Josef Bobek III serves at Secretary of the Board of Directors at the LA Biotech Center, where he provides legal oversight and strategic guidance to support the Center’s mission and governance. A seasoned legal advisor, Mr. Bobek brings deep expertise in corporate law, compliance, and board operations.

Mr. Bobek holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Southern California, and received a Juris Doctorate from the School of Law at Pepperdine University. He is currently as General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Landmark Dividend LLC, one of the nation’s largest ground lease acquisition firms, where he oversees legal affairs and corporate governance.

Mr. Bobek has also made significant contributions to educational leadership, having served on the boards of K-12 schools. With expertise spanning corporate law, educational oversight and board compliance he is a major asest to the LA Biotech Center.