Executive Team | Forsyth

Wenyuan Shi

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Wenyuan Shi was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of the Forsyth Institute on September 1, 2017. Before his appointment, Shi was a chairman and professor of Oral Biology at UCLA Schools of Dentistry. Shi’s laboratory has been using multidisciplinary approaches to study oral microbial pathogenesis with a specific focus on microbial biofilm, inter-species interaction and signal transduction.

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

General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Corporate Secretary, Director of Technology Development

Carline Durocher is a legal and business professional with more than 18 years of experience. Prior to joining the Forsyth Institute, she was senior corporate counsel at The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. responsible for a broad range of general corporate matters, including strategic collaborations with commercial, academic and research institutions, technology transfer and intellectual property transactions in biomedical, energy, autonomous vehicles and commercial space industries.

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 from information technology to facilities. She is an ardent collaborator and contributor throughout Forsyth, working with others to create solutions and new paths. Paula serves on numerous committees and work teams ensuring Forsyth’s culture, people practices, and programs are continuously innovating and advancing.

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.