Meet the people who are passionate about the potential that neuroscience and technology hold to enable longer, healthier and happier lives
Josh Schulman, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist
Josh is the Chief Scientist at Corundum Neuroscience. Before joining CNS, he led Partnerships and Innovation at Genetika+, a startup working on tools for successful drug development and personalized treatment of psychiatric disorders. Prior to that, he led regulatory and clinical affairs at MaxQ AI and helped bring one of the first radiology AI applications to the market while working closely with FDA to develop policy on AI and Software as a Medical Device (SaMD).
He continues to be active in helping develop standards and policy for medical devices and has served on industry groups addressing the use artificial intelligence and cloud computing for healthcare.
For over a decade, Josh has also worked with academic technology transfer companies, small businesses, and investors across the medical device and pharma industries as well as lecturing and assisting team projects in Hebrew University’s Biodesign program.
Earlier in his career, Josh worked in both large and small pharmaceutical and medical device companies, including regulatory affairs at Omrix Biopharmaceuticals.
Josh’s scientific and management training began with a PhD in neuroscience which used magnetoencephalography to study the impact of different brain activity modes on normal and disease states. Following a postdoc on brain biomarker development, he worked with government agencies on science strategy and program management.
Itsik Francis, Ph.D.
Head of Business Development
Itsik is the Head of Business Development at Corundum Neuroscience. He is a seasoned professional in the life sciences and MedTech sectors, with extensive experience in investment strategy, technology scouting, and commercialization. He has held senior roles across venture capital, corporate development, and academia, focusing on advancing innovative healthcare solutions.
Most recently, Itsik was a Principal at OurCrowd, where he led MedTech, Digital Health, and Impact investments. While at OurCrowd, he played a central role in launching and managing a strategic partnership with the WHO Foundation through the Global Health Equity Fund, aimed at improving healthcare accessibility in low- and middle-income countries. He also oversaw deal sourcing, due diligence, and the development of new funds, strengthening OurCrowd’s presence in the life sciences ecosystem.
Prior to OurCrowd, Itsik served as Head of Innovation, Strategic Alliances, and Digital Health at Medison Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Medison Pharma. He managed technology scouting, investment, licensing, and partnership strategies with multinational pharma companies.
Previously, Itsik was Director of Business Development at Ariel University’s tech-transfer company (TTO), facilitating commercialization efforts, negotiating licensing agreements, and raising funds for spin-offs. He also co-founded and served as CEO of Citta Pharmaceuticals, focusing on Alzheimer’s drug development, and held board positions at several BioMed companies.
His early career includes research at Columbia University, where he led Alzheimer’s drug discovery projects and received the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Young Investigator Award.
Itsik holds a Ph.D. from University College London, where he studied epigenetic mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease, and a BSc in Biology from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, graduating Cum Laude.
Cilla Zack
Academic Program Manager
Cilla is a social psychologist managing the CNS Academic Grant Program focusing on innovative technologies, interventions and novel approaches in the field of neuroscience.
Since 2018, Cilla has also managed her own business, Simple Habits, where she studies and conducts research in social psychology to offer consumer-friendly, science backed tools for wellbeing.
Cilla holds a Master of Arts in Social Psychology, with a concentration in Judgment and Decision Making, from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Philosophy and the History of Art and Architecture from University of California Santa-Barbara. Recently, she completed her MBSR training and is currently working on her BECK CBT certificate.
Karinna Moreno
Investment Analyst
Karinna focuses on sourcing and diligence at Corundum Neuroscience. At SOSA, she worked in tech scouting, market research, and accelerator programs for corporates and governments; at Tel Aviv University, she led cross-sector partnerships and fundraising for the Blavatnik Cyber Research Center. She holds a BA in International Relations and Global Islamic Studies from Connecticut College and an MA in Security and Diplomacy Studies from Tel Aviv University.
Yhonatan Shemesh
Research Analyst
As Research Analyst at Corundum Neuroscience, Yhonatan is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date picture of the scientific literature in the neuroscience space.
Prior to joining CNS, Yhonatan was employed at the Israel Gerontological Data Center at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he conducted research on the psychological and social predictors of healthy aging, and was involved in producing evidence-based recommendations for policymakers. In 2017, he co-published an academic book on public understanding of economics.
Yhonatan holds a Masters degree in brain and cognitive science, and is currently pursuing a PhD in psychological data science. He has served in several research capacities in the military and in academia.
Ruth Schechter
Operations Manager
Ruth is the Operations Manager at Corundum Neuroscience. She began her journey with the company in 2022 as the Office Manager. With an extensive experience in administration and back-office operations, Ruth oversees all operational and administrative aspects of the company. Her responsibilities also include communication with suppliers and portfolio companies, as well as ensuring the well-being of the team.
Prior to joining CNS, Ruth operated an independent design company, where she managed production activities across the Far East and oversaw import and marketing processes. She has also held key administrative and back-office roles at the Open University and within the local authority of the city of Ra’anana.
Ruth holds an Associate in Applied Science in Communication Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in NYC, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from the State University of NY Empire State College (SUNY ESC). Additionally, she has completed an International Trade certificate from the Chamber of Commerce in Tel Aviv.
Maayan Eilon-Ashkenazy, Ph.D.
Content Manager
Maayan is the Content Manager at Corundum Corporation, where she leads development and execution of content strategy, including thought-leadership articles, social media strategy, and event coverage to showcase Corundum’s expertise in neurotechnology and systems biology.
Before joining Corundum, she earned her PhD in Chemical and Structural Biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science, elucidating immune-evasion mechanisms of the Lujo arenavirus, solving its spike protein complex structure, and leading structure-based design of therapeutic candidates against Lujo virus.
Maayan holds an M.Sc. in Biotechnology Engineering (Honors Program) from Ben-Gurion University, where she developed a novel hydrogel-based sustained-release system for myocardial infarction treatment, and a B.Sc. in Biotechnology Engineering (cum laude) from the same institution.
Beyond research, Maayan is passionate about biotech innovation and science communication. She has contributed to peer-reviewed papers, scientific blogs, and popular science articles for the Davidson Institute of Science Education. She has also mentored students and served as a teaching assistant and lab instructor, shaping the next generation of scientists.
Maayan holds a PhD in Chemical and Structural Biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science and an M.Sc. and a B.Sc. in Biotechnology Engineering from Ben-Gurion University, graduating cum laude.
Sara Shnider, Ph.D.
US Academic Innovation Lead
Sara is the US Academic Innovation Lead at Corundum Neuroscience, where she is responsible for creating research partnerships between CNS and academic institutions in the US. She brings over a decade of experience managing diverse aspects of industry-academia partnerships across pharma, academia and the nonprofit sector.
Prior to CNS, Sara directed a portfolio of global academic collaborations at Teva Pharmaceuticals, designed to enhance the company’s drug development efforts from discovery through Phase I. In this capacity, she was responsible for technology scouting and evaluation, scientific project management, and international public-private consortia. She was also an active mentor in Teva’s entrepreneurship and educational programs for graduate students across Israel.
Previously, Sara was executive director of the non-profit organization Prize4Life. She led scientific programs that engaged startup companies, universities, and nonprofits to identify and validate new drug candidates for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Earlier in her career, she negotiated industry research agreements in the technology transfer office of University of California, San Francisco, and was a science policy fellow at the National Academies in Washington, DC.
Sara completed her PhD at Harvard University investigating the molecular controls over development of neuronal subpopulations in the neocortex. Earlier, she completed her MSc in bioinformatics at the Weizmann Institute of Science, and a BSc in biology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
JoJo Platt
US Partnerships Lead
JoJo Platt is a US Partnerships Lead at Corundum Neuroscience, where she focuses on sourcing promising early-stage neuroscience companies and research in the United States.
With over 15 years in the field of neurotechnology, JoJo has built a unique and powerful network within the neurotech community. Her role in the launch of the field of bioelectronic medicine, the peer-reviewed journal of the same name, and the Feinstein Institute’s Center for Bioelectronic Medicine, has afforded her the opportunity to create meaningful relationships with researchers and business leaders at all levels in neuroscience and neurophysiology, molecular biology, engineering, data science, microfabrication, materials science, signal processing, imaging, and more. She has staffed multiple labs from postdocs to PIs. JoJo’s network is over 5,000 strong and includes engagement with some of the field’s most influential and respected leaders.
JoJo works with a variety of clients including academic and research institutions, start-ups, industry leaders, and venture firms to accelerate business and create opportunities. She travels the world to stay connected and up-to-date, and she serves on the organizing committees of some of the field’s most important conferences including the Cleveland NeuroDesign Entrepreneurs Workshop, IEEE’s Neural Engineering Conference and Brain Initiative, EMBC, Rice University’s InterfaceRice, the Feinstein Institutes’ Bioelectronic Medicine Summit, and Neurotech Leaders Forum and Bioelectronic Medicine Forum.
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