Philip Stashenko, DMD, Ph.D., is President and Chief Executive Officer of Forsyth. In this capacity he provides leadership for all institutional activities and operations. In addition to oversight of Forsyth's scientific, clinical, educational and community outreach programs, he provides guidance for financial planning, public relations and development activities, business initiatives and corporate relationships. He also directs strategic planning and implementation and ongoing evaluation of institutional programs and initiatives. Prior to assuming the role of President and CEO, Dr. Stashenko served as Forsyth's Senior Vice President for Research and Development. In this role, he was responsible for leading the core business of Forsyth, its basic, translational and clinical research, and its technology transfer enterprise.
Dr. Stashenko graduated with a B.A. in Biology from New York University, and received a D.M.D. and a Ph.D. in Immunology from Harvard University, and a certificate in endodontics, also from Harvard. First appointed to Forsyth as Assistant Member of the Staff in 1978, Dr. Stashenko was elevated to Senior Member of the Staff in 1989, and became founding head of the Department of Cytokine Biology in 1992. Additionally, he is appointed as Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM).
A prolific writer and speaker, Dr. Stashenko is author of more than 200 scientific publications, book chapters and abstracts in the fields of immunology and bone biology. His work has contributed to a better understanding of the interplay between immune and inflammatory responses and bone metabolism. Some seminal contributions made by his laboratory include: the role of interleukin-1β as an important bone resorptive cytokine, the characterization of protective vs. destructive immune mechanisms in oral infections, the identification of osteoclast genes that are critical for bone resorption, and the regulation of osteoclast formation and activity by cytokines and neuromediators. Collectively this work has contributed substantially to the development of the interdisciplinary field of osteoimmunology.
His research extends far beyond the world of oral health. Along with prominent physician Lee M. Nadler of Dana Farber Cancer Institute, he discovered the B cell marker CD20. Anti-CD20 antibodies are now used to treat patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and other diseases caused by this cell type.
Dr. Stashenko's work has been continuously funded by research grants from the National Institutes of Health since 1978, and he was recently identified as among the top 5% recipients of NIH grant funding over the past 25 years. His work has resulted in ten patents, a number of which have been licensed and are under development.
Dr. Stashenko served for more than a decade as a member of several NIH grant review panels, and is currently appointed to the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council. In this capacity, he was Co-Chair, Blue Ribbon Panel for NIDCR Intramural Program review in 2006. In addition, he has served as Director of Postdoctoral Education at HSDM, President of the Harvard Dental Alumni Association, Director of the Harvard/Forsyth K12 Career Development Program. He is currently a member of the Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (‘CATALYST’) Oversight Committee, as well as the Standing Committee on Higher Degrees in Dental Medicine, Harvard University.
His honors include: NYU University Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, two research fellowships from the NIH, OKU honorary dental society, the HSDM Distinguished Faculty Award (1995), and the Pulp Biology Research Award, International Association for Dental Research (2000).
Thomas E. Van Dyke, DDS, PhD
Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research
Thomas Van Dyke, DDS, Ph.D., is Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research and Chair of the Department of Periodontology. He provides leadership for Forsyth’s clinical research team and is responsible for expanding Forsyth’s clinical presence in the research community. Dr. Van Dyke drives the Institute’s efforts to expand Forsyth’s connections to industry and corporate partners.
Dr. Van Dyke is a world renowned leader in translational research. His clinical research team has focused largely on drug treatment for periodontitis and issues related to systematic diseases such as diabetes. He has broad connections with corporations and universities worldwide. Dr. Van Dyke joined Forsyth from Boston University were he was Professor, Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine; Program Director, Postdoctoral Periodontology; Director, Clinical Research Center, and Associate Director Boston University School of Medicine General Clinical Research Center.
Thomas E. Van Dyke received his dental degree in 1973 from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA and a PhD in Oral Biology from State University of New York at Buffalo, NY in 1982. Dr. Van Dyke has published more than 250 papers in basic immunology related to inflammatory periodontal infections. Since 1995, Dr. Van Dyke's research has focused on the regulation of the innate immune response by active endogenous pathways.
He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and he received the IADR Award for Basic Research in Periodontology in 2001 and the Norton Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research in 2002. He serves, or has served, on the editorial boards of Infection and Immunity, Journal of Periodontology, Journal of Periodontal Research, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Journal of Dental Research, Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology, Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, Current Opinions in Periodontology , Magazyn Stomatologiczy Dental Magazine, and he edited Periodontology 2000 Vols. 6 (1994) and 27 (2001). He served as President of the Periodontal Diseases Research Group of the IADR from 1991-1992. His other IADR/AADR service includes Membership Committee, 1983-1986, Science Information Committee, 1990-1993, and Scientific Awards Committee, 2001-2006. Dr. Van Dyke has also served as President of the International Academy of Periodontology (1997-1999).
Dr. Van Dyke has authored/co-authored 250+ original articles, and numerous abstracts and book chapters. He is a member of the American/International Association of Dental Research, American Academy of Periodontology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American Dental Association, American Society of Microbiology, International Academy of Periodontology, IADR Periodontal Research Group, International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society, Northeast Periodontal Society, and Society for Leukocyte Biology. His research interests are the structural and functional relationship of abnormalities of the inflammatory process with focus on regulation of phagocytic cells, in the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. He is best known for his work on the pathways of resolution of inflammation and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, neutrophil biology, and clinical research.
Paul V. McDonough joined Forsyth in June of 2004. As the Vice President of Operations, his responsibilities include human resource management, benefit administration, facility management and safety, information technology management, technology transfer, business initiatives, and other operational areas. Mr. McDonough has over 30 years business experience in a diversity of business sectors and organizations from start-up to multinational corporations. Prior to joining Forsyth, Mr. McDonough served as the Director of Operations and Finance with the Boston Private Industry Council, a not-for-profit organization which provides employment and training opportunities to the youth and adults in the City of Boston. From 1991 to 2002, he was Senior Vice-President of Finance and Administration with Altran Corporation, an engineering & technical professional services firm in Boston. At Altran, Mr. McDonough's responsibilities included all aspects of Finance and Administration, Human Resources, Benefit Administration, Strategic Planning, Information Technology and Operational Management. Mr. McDonough's previous experience includes several senior level financial, operation, and administrative positions at Waters Corporation, Millipore Corporation, North American Philips and GTE. Mr. McDonough holds a BS in Business Administration in Finance from Northeastern University where he is a Member of the Corporation and the Athletic Executive Board and holds an MBA from Babson College. Other memberships and affiliations include Treasurer's Club of Boston where he served as the past President, Financial Executives International, Academic Relations Committee Board, and Babson College Coaching for Leadership and Teamwork Program. Mr. McDonough is the co-founder of a youth basketball program in his community and serves on the Financial Planning Council at his church.
Thomas J. McQuaid came to Forsyth in September, 2000 from Boston Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI), where he served as the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer for five years. While at BBRI, Mr. McQuaid oversaw the issuance of $17,000,000 of tax-exempt bonds and was responsible for the construction of a 60,000 SF state-of-the-art biomedical research facility in Watertown, MA. In addition to his experience in the not-for-profit research institution arena, Mr. McQuaid also served many years in financial management positions in public accounting and construction. Mr. McQuaid holds a BS in accounting and finance and an MBA from Babson College, Wellesley, MA and an MST in Taxation from Bentley College, Waltham, MA. His professional designations include Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant. Mr. McQuaid holds active memberships in numerous professional associations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA), Association of Independent Research Institutes (AIRI),, the Treasurer's Club of Boston and the Boston Chamber of Commerce. Mr. McQuaid has served as a volunteer in community activities including the elected chair of the Town of Norwood Board of Selectmen & the Finance Commission and a town meeting representative.
Karen A. Mullin, JD, LLM
Chief General Counsel/Director of Technology Development
Karen A. Mullin joined Forsyth in August of 2011 as Chief General Counsel and Director of Technology Development. She is responsible for all legal matters involving The Forsyth Institute including contracts, compliance, intellectual property, personnel, litigation, and other relevant issues. She is also responsible for the management of Forsyth’s technology transfer enterprise, collaborations with industry, and conflict of interest oversight. Prior to her employment at Forsyth, Ms. Mullin worked for eleven years as Senior Research Counsel at Boston University Medical Campus with responsibility for negotiating all research agreements, clinical trial agreements, material transfer agreements and other collaboration agreements with pharmaceutical and medical device companies, as well as managing such relationships with industry on the medical campus. Ms. Mullin also has over eight years of litigation experience, specializing in medical and legal malpractice defense. She was a law clerk to the chief justice of the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Ms. Mullin is a frequent speaker at professional conferences on legal issues involving clinical and academic research and technology transfer and the author of an article entitled “Legal Risks of Conducting Clinical Studies, An Academic Site Perspective.” She is an active member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, a national organization for higher education attorneys. She is a member of the Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia bars. She holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a LL.M in International Business Law from the University of London.
Ms. Mullin lives in Boston’s South End neighborhood with her husband and two sons and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the South End Community Health Center and the Friends of Ringgold Park.
David Brown is the Chief Advancement Officer at the Forsyth Institute working in the Office of Advancement and External Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for raising support for Forsyth’s research and community programs. Mr. Brown joined Forsyth, after spending twenty-seven years as a broadcast professional, to realize his passion for connecting people and advancing non-profit causes.
For the past 17 years David was a meteorologist for WCVB-TV Channel 5. A professional highlight was working on WCVB’s “A+” segment shining a spotlight on outstanding high school seniors who have overcome incredible odds. In his tenure at WCVB, he also served as co-anchor of the EyeOpener newscast, meteorologist for the morning and noon broadcasts, as well as environmental reporter and main contributor to the “Going Green” section on wcvb.com. Prior to joining Channel 5, Mr. Brown held meteorologist roles in major media markets across the country. Mr. Brown began his broadcasting career as a reporter and meteorologist in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Deeply immersed in the community, Mr. Brown dedicates much of his free time to support local charities. He is involved with AIDS Action and serves as the Host and MC of the annual Boston AIDS Walk. Brown was recently awarded their community service award for continued involvement in many of the organization’s outreach services. Mr. Brown supports Fenway Health, Boston Medical Center, and Community Servings. He has served as co chair for numerous fundraisers, and has run the Boston Marathon on behalf of a number of community based organizations raising thousands of dollars. He is also active with the Ellie Fund and Project Place, a Boston organization dedicated to homelessness. Mr. Brown serves as MC and auctioneer each year for the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center Chinese New Year celebration and is a key participant in WCVB’s annual Jerry Lewis Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). A familiar figure at schools across the region, Mr. Brown teaches thousands of school children during his many visits throughout the year.
Mr. Brown earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Indiana University. After pursuing post-graduate work at Mississippi State University, he was awarded the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval in recognition of his professionalism in weather forecasting and reporting.
A resident of the Boston area, Mr. Brown enjoys spending time with his two children.
