Executive Team - Forsyth

Wenyuan Shi

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Wenyuan Shi is currently the Chief Executive Officer & Chief Science Officer of the Forsyth Institute, a Harvard affiliated research institute. Prior to this position, Dr. Shi is the chairman and professor of Oral Biology at UCLA School of Dentistry as well as the Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at UCLA School of Medicine.

Wanda Cordova

Chief Financial Officer

Wanda Cordova is Chief Financial Officer of the Forsyth Institute. Cordova joined Forsyth from the Broad Institute where she served as Controller. As CFO, Cordova is responsible for leading the financial planning for the institute. In this role, she oversees the financial planning and budgeting, cost accounting, cash management, procurement, investments and the contracts/grants administration for Forsyth.

Thomas E. Van Dyke

Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research

Thomas Van Dyke is Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research and Chair of the Department of Applied Oral Sciences. 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.

Susan Rittling

Director of Research and Faculty Affairs

After joining Forsyth in 2005 as a research scientist, Dr. Rittling brings her experience in grant writing and laboratory management to the position of Director of Research and Faculty Affairs. In this position, she facilitates all things research.

Carline Durocher

Corporate Secretary, General Counsel and Vice President of Technology Development

Carline M. Durocher is the executive responsible for Forsyth’s legal and compliance functions, including general corporate transactions, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management. As the Vice President of Technology Development, Carline is responsible for developing Forsyth’s intellectual property and commercialization strategies advancing the Institute’s objectives and priorities. In this capacity, she cultivates relationships with a broad network of stakeholders in the oral health innovation ecosystem, including investors, advisors, founders, and executives.

Paula LaPalme, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Chief Administration Officer

Paula LaPalme joined Forsyth in 2016 and leads Human Resources for the Institute, as well as provides leadership to a host of key operational areas including information technology, facilities, and safety. She is an ardent collaborator and contributor throughout Forsyth, working with others to create solutions and improvements. Paula serves on numerous committees and work teams ensuring Forsyth’s culture, people practices, administrative services and programs meet the evolving needs of the Institute.

Felicitas Bidlack

Senior Science Officer

Felicitas Bidlack joined Forsyth in 2003 and leverages her passion for interdisciplinary and team research to facilitate successful internal as well as external collaborations. With experience in research and mentoring Dr. Bidlack serves as Senior Science Officer and Chair of the Appointments and Promotions Committee to generate a creative environment and empower innovative research.