Our Team
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Behzad Aghazadeh
PhD | Managing Partner & Portfolio Manager
Behzad has 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with 15 years of experience as an institutional investor. He began his career in healthcare as a research scientist, later joining Booz Allen as a management consultant, where he led major strategic and operational initiatives for companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Behzad served as the Chairman of Immunomedics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapies for the treatment of cancers and other diseases with high unmet medical need, until the company’s $21B acquisition by Gilead in 2020. Behzad currently serves on the board of Scribe Therapeutics, Inc., a private molecular engineering company developing advanced technologies for CRISPR-based genetic medicine, as well as the board of Aadi Bioscience, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on precision therapies for genetically-defined mTOR pathway genes. Behzad received his Master’s degree in Physics from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (Munich, Germany) and a PhD from Cornell University in Biochemistry & Biophysics.
Behzad Aghazadeh
Behzad has 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with 15 years of experience as an institutional investor. He began his career in healthcare as a research scientist, later joining Booz Allen as a management consultant, where he led major strategic and operational initiatives for companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Behzad served as the Chairman of Immunomedics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapies for the treatment of cancers and other diseases with high unmet medical need, until the company’s $21B acquisition by Gilead in 2020. Behzad currently serves on the board of Scribe Therapeutics, Inc., a private molecular engineering company developing advanced technologies for CRISPR-based genetic medicine, as well as the board of Aadi Bioscience, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on precision therapies for genetically-defined mTOR pathway genes. Behzad received his Master’s degree in Physics from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (Munich, Germany) and a PhD from Cornell University in Biochemistry & Biophysics.
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Matthew Canver
MD/PhD | Director
Matthew received a BSE in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his MD/PhD from Harvard Medical School. Matthew completed one year of residency in Clinical Pathology at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine. His PhD involved development of a CRISPR-based gene therapy approach to sickle cell disease. Matthew joined Avoro Capital in 2019 and is primarily involved in evaluating mid-to-late stage biotechnology investment opportunities.
Matthew Canver
Matthew received a BSE in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his MD/PhD from Harvard Medical School. Matthew completed one year of residency in Clinical Pathology at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine. His PhD involved development of a CRISPR-based gene therapy approach to sickle cell disease. Matthew joined Avoro Capital in 2019 and is primarily involved in evaluating mid-to-late stage biotechnology investment opportunities.
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Diane Chien
CPA | Hedge Fund Controller
Diane has over 15 years of Hedge Fund accounting and operations experience. Prior to joining Avoro, Diane spent nine years as Vice President, Assistant Controller of the distressed hedge fund business at Matlin Patterson Global Advisors LLC. Diane began her career at Pricewaterhouse Coopers in the Private Company Services Tax and the Alternatives Assurance practices. Diane holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from New York University Stern School of Business and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York. Diane joined Avoro Capital in 2016.
Diane Chien
Diane has over 15 years of Hedge Fund accounting and operations experience. Prior to joining Avoro, Diane spent nine years as Vice President, Assistant Controller of the distressed hedge fund business at Matlin Patterson Global Advisors LLC. Diane began her career at Pricewaterhouse Coopers in the Private Company Services Tax and the Alternatives Assurance practices. Diane holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from New York University Stern School of Business and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York. Diane joined Avoro Capital in 2016.
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Uya Chuluunbaatar
PhD | Investment Partner – Avoro Ventures
Uya has 15 years of healthcare experience across a range of functions including venture capital, public equity investing, technology transfer and academic research. Prior to joining Avoro Ventures in March 2022, Uya was a Principal at Amzak Health where she led private and public biotech investments. During her time at Amzak, Uya was involved in 13 venture investments resulting in 5 IPOs and 2 acquisitions. Prior to Amzak, Uya was a sell-side biotech equity research analyst at Goldman Sachs covering large and mid-cap companies. Uya completed her Ph.D. in Microbiology at New York University School of Medicine, conducting research in virus-host interactions and viral protein synthesis. Her work was published in several scientific, peer-reviewed journals. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from Cornell University.
Uya Chuluunbaatar
Uya has 15 years of healthcare experience across a range of functions including venture capital, public equity investing, technology transfer and academic research. Prior to joining Avoro Ventures in March 2022, Uya was a Principal at Amzak Health where she led private and public biotech investments. During her time at Amzak, Uya was involved in 13 venture investments resulting in 5 IPOs and 2 acquisitions. Prior to Amzak, Uya was a sell-side biotech equity research analyst at Goldman Sachs covering large and mid-cap companies. Uya completed her Ph.D. in Microbiology at New York University School of Medicine, conducting research in virus-host interactions and viral protein synthesis. Her work was published in several scientific, peer-reviewed journals. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from Cornell University.
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Samir Devalaraja
MD/PhD | Analyst
Samir earned his MD and PhD in Immunology from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the recipient of the Saul Winegrad Award for outstanding dissertation. His thesis uncovered a novel immune evasion mechanism in solid tumors and was published in Cell. Concurrent with graduate school, Samir consulted for venture-backed biotech companies in the gene therapy and precision oncology spaces. He holds a BA in History & Sociology of Science from the University of Pennsylvania. Samir joined Avoro Capital in 2021 and is focused on evaluating biotechnology investment opportunities.
Samir Devalaraja
Samir earned his MD and PhD in Immunology from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the recipient of the Saul Winegrad Award for outstanding dissertation. His thesis uncovered a novel immune evasion mechanism in solid tumors and was published in Cell. Concurrent with graduate school, Samir consulted for venture-backed biotech companies in the gene therapy and precision oncology spaces. He holds a BA in History & Sociology of Science from the University of Pennsylvania. Samir joined Avoro Capital in 2021 and is focused on evaluating biotechnology investment opportunities.
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Scott Epstein
Partner, Chief Financial Officer / Chief Compliance Officer
Scott is responsible for the operational and financial infrastructure across the Avoro Capital businesses and oversees the compliance and regulatory responsibilities for the firm. Scott joined Avoro Capital in 2014 and has now been working in the financial industry for over 25 years. Before joining Avoro Capital, he spent 11 years at HSBC where he was the Regional Head of the Americas, responsible for the management and development of the HSBC Securities Services businesses in the Americas Region focused primarily on Alternative Asset Managers. Prior to joining HSBC, Scott was a Vice President at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc., an investment research and management firm, where he was responsible for overseeing the operations of various investment products. He graduated with a B.A. in Business & Economics from Lafayette College.
Scott Epstein
Scott is responsible for the operational and financial infrastructure across the Avoro Capital businesses and oversees the compliance and regulatory responsibilities for the firm. Scott joined Avoro Capital in 2014 and has now been working in the financial industry for over 25 years. Before joining Avoro Capital, he spent 11 years at HSBC where he was the Regional Head of the Americas, responsible for the management and development of the HSBC Securities Services businesses in the Americas Region focused primarily on Alternative Asset Managers. Prior to joining HSBC, Scott was a Vice President at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc., an investment research and management firm, where he was responsible for overseeing the operations of various investment products. He graduated with a B.A. in Business & Economics from Lafayette College.
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Corie Hansen
Office Manager / Executive Assistant
Corie holds a B.S. in Accounting from Southern Utah University. Prior to joining Avoro in 2023, Corie served as the Executive Assistant to the CEO at Hunter Point Capital. Before Hunter Point, she worked as the Executive Assistant to the CEO-Capital Markets at TigerRisk Partners. Corie began her career working as a Business Development Executive Assistant at PIMCO.
Corie Hansen
Corie holds a B.S. in Accounting from Southern Utah University. Prior to joining Avoro in 2023, Corie served as the Executive Assistant to the CEO at Hunter Point Capital. Before Hunter Point, she worked as the Executive Assistant to the CEO-Capital Markets at TigerRisk Partners. Corie began her career working as a Business Development Executive Assistant at PIMCO.
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Max Isberg
Analyst
Max holds a B.S. from Tufts University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2016, majoring in math and economics. After graduating, he worked for Apex Capital Holdings, where he was a trader/analyst managing a long/short equity portfolio focused on biotechnology and pharmaceutical names. Max joined Avoro Capital in 2019 and will focus on quantitative analysis and portfolio analytics.
Max Isberg
Max holds a B.S. from Tufts University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2016, majoring in math and economics. After graduating, he worked for Apex Capital Holdings, where he was a trader/analyst managing a long/short equity portfolio focused on biotechnology and pharmaceutical names. Max joined Avoro Capital in 2019 and will focus on quantitative analysis and portfolio analytics.
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Jenna McElhinney
Associate | Investor Relations & Marketing
Jenna holds a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting from the University of Florida. Prior to joining Avoro in 2022, Jenna served as a Business Development Associate at Suvretta Capital Management. Before Suvretta, she worked as an Associate at Blackstone within the Hedge Fund Solutions Group. Jenna began her career working at Ernst & Young.
Jenna McElhinney
Jenna holds a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting from the University of Florida. Prior to joining Avoro in 2022, Jenna served as a Business Development Associate at Suvretta Capital Management. Before Suvretta, she worked as an Associate at Blackstone within the Hedge Fund Solutions Group. Jenna began her career working at Ernst & Young.
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Sara Nayeem
MD/MBA | Investment Partner – Avoro Ventures
Sara has nearly 20 years of banking and institutional investment experience. Prior to joining Avoro Ventures in February 2021, Sara was a Partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA) focused on private biopharma investments. Over her 12 years at NEA, Sara invested across six funds totaling greater than $15 billion in committed capital. She played a key diligence and management role in 25 investments, from which there have been 10 IPOs and 9 acquisitions with upfront payments exceeding $16 billion. Prior to joining NEA, Sara worked in investment banking at both Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Sara concurrently earned her MD (cum laude) and MBA from Yale University, where she was a Yale MBA Scholar. She received her AB (magna cum laude) in Biology from Harvard University. Sara currently serves on the board of Vanqua Bio Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, and as a board observer for Scribe Therapeutics, a private molecular engineering company developing CRISPR-based in vivo therapies.
Sara Nayeem
Sara has nearly 20 years of banking and institutional investment experience. Prior to joining Avoro Ventures in February 2021, Sara was a Partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA) focused on private biopharma investments. Over her 12 years at NEA, Sara invested across six funds totaling greater than $15 billion in committed capital. She played a key diligence and management role in 25 investments, from which there have been 10 IPOs and 9 acquisitions with upfront payments exceeding $16 billion. Prior to joining NEA, Sara worked in investment banking at both Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Sara concurrently earned her MD (cum laude) and MBA from Yale University, where she was a Yale MBA Scholar. She received her AB (magna cum laude) in Biology from Harvard University. Sara currently serves on the board of Vanqua Bio Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, and as a board observer for Scribe Therapeutics, a private molecular engineering company developing CRISPR-based in vivo therapies.
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Bryan Phillips
JD | Deputy Chief Compliance Officer
Bryan is responsible for administering Avoro’s Compliance Program. Prior to joining Avoro he served as the CCO for Centenus Global Management, LP. Before Centenus, he was a Compliance Officer at Citadel LLC., and Visium Asset Management; respectively. Preceding Visium, he was a Compliance Officer at Goldman Sachs & Co., where he performed trading reviews and oversaw the employee personal account trading policy. Bryan held Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 licenses, through experiences at other reputable financial institutions and has industry knowledge across the areas of financial products, trading, client support, and wealth management. He received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from New York Law School. Bryan joined Avoro Capital in 2020.
Bryan Phillips
Bryan is responsible for administering Avoro’s Compliance Program. Prior to joining Avoro he served as the CCO for Centenus Global Management, LP. Before Centenus, he was a Compliance Officer at Citadel LLC., and Visium Asset Management; respectively. Preceding Visium, he was a Compliance Officer at Goldman Sachs & Co., where he performed trading reviews and oversaw the employee personal account trading policy. Bryan held Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 licenses, through experiences at other reputable financial institutions and has industry knowledge across the areas of financial products, trading, client support, and wealth management. He received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from New York Law School. Bryan joined Avoro Capital in 2020.
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Robert Raphael
Trader
Robert holds a BA Cum Laude in Political Science from the University of Rochester. Robert has over 10 years of trading and operations experience. Prior to joining Avoro Capital in 2019, Robert helped launch and was Head Trader at Jafra Capital Management. Before Jafra, he was a Trader at Jericho Capital Asset Management. He began his career on the Trade Operations team at TPG Axon.
Robert Raphael
Robert holds a BA Cum Laude in Political Science from the University of Rochester. Robert has over 10 years of trading and operations experience. Prior to joining Avoro Capital in 2019, Robert helped launch and was Head Trader at Jafra Capital Management. Before Jafra, he was a Trader at Jericho Capital Asset Management. He began his career on the Trade Operations team at TPG Axon.
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Anastasia Voevodin
PhD | Senior Associate
Anastasia received her B.A. from Boston University and earned a M.A. and PhD from Columbia University in Chemistry. Anastasia’s PhD research involved designing functional materials from nanoscale building blocks and evaluating their emergent properties. While at Columbia University, Anastasia was a fellow with Columbia Technology Ventures focused on assessing commercial opportunities for Columbia inventions. After graduate school, Anastasia worked as a strategy consultant with ZS Associates supporting emerging pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients across therapeutic areas and stages of development. Anastasia joined Avoro in 2022 and is primarily focused on evaluating mid-to-late stage biotechnology investment opportunities.
Anastasia Voevodin
Anastasia received her B.A. from Boston University and earned a M.A. and PhD from Columbia University in Chemistry. Anastasia’s PhD research involved designing functional materials from nanoscale building blocks and evaluating their emergent properties. While at Columbia University, Anastasia was a fellow with Columbia Technology Ventures focused on assessing commercial opportunities for Columbia inventions. After graduate school, Anastasia worked as a strategy consultant with ZS Associates supporting emerging pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients across therapeutic areas and stages of development. Anastasia joined Avoro in 2022 and is primarily focused on evaluating mid-to-late stage biotechnology investment opportunities.
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Andy Washkowitz
PhD | Director
Andy holds a B.A. from Harvard University, and earned his M.A. and PhD in genetics from Columbia University. While at Columbia, Andy was a fellow at the Technology Ventures office, focusing on out-licensing discoveries from Columbia labs. After graduate school, Andy worked in sell-side equity research at Stifel focusing in the biotechnology sector. Andy joined the Avoro Capital team in 2015 and is primarily involved in evaluating platform technologies and early clinical development programs.
Andy Washkowitz
Andy holds a B.A. from Harvard University, and earned his M.A. and PhD in genetics from Columbia University. While at Columbia, Andy was a fellow at the Technology Ventures office, focusing on out-licensing discoveries from Columbia labs. After graduate school, Andy worked in sell-side equity research at Stifel focusing in the biotechnology sector. Andy joined the Avoro Capital team in 2015 and is primarily involved in evaluating platform technologies and early clinical development programs.