Mental Health

Cara Altimus leads SPARC at the Milken Institute. She is also the Managing Director of Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD²), a philanthropic initiative launched out of SPARC. Previously, Altimus led the Neural Interfaces Laboratory at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She serves as the chair for the Trainee Advisory Committee for the Society for Neuroscience and as an advisor to the Ontario Brain Institute. Altimus holds a PhD in biology from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in genetics from the University of Georgia.

Sylvie Raver manages SPARC’s Brain Disorders and Mental Health focus areas. She has published work on biomedical strategy with a focus on mental health, neurotechnology, and rare neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, Raver led the Society for Neuroscience’s global programming and policy efforts in neuroscience training for individual scientists and other members. Raver conducted postdoctoral research at the National Institute on Aging, received a PhD from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College.

Kelsey Barcomb is the Program Manager of Discovery Research at BD2, where she builds community and facilitates collaborative efforts in the BD2 network. Previously, Barcomb was a project manager for a multi-institutional team funded by Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s. She also completed two postdoctoral fellowships at Brown University and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU-AMC), focused on neural pathways of stress and reward. Barcomb holds a PhD in pharmacology from CU-AMC.

Emily Baxi is the Director of the Integrated Network within ​​BD^2​. Prior to joining SPARC, Baxi was an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, serving as the executive director of the Packard Center for ALS Research and program director for Answer ALS. Previously, she completed postdoctoral training in neuroimmunology at Johns Hopkins University. She holds ​a PhD in neuroscience from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology from University College Dublin, Ireland.

Veronica Beck is the Program Manager of the BD² Integrated Network within BD². Previously, Beck completed the Research Operations, Management, and Strategy Fellowship at the University of Michigan Medical School, complementing her biomedical research background with experience in managing projects, administering grant programs, and fostering partnerships among business, basic science, and medical science sectors. Beck holds a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Michigan with a focus on rare pediatric neurological diseases.

Ishtiaq Mawla applies his background in translational research, business consulting, and stakeholder management to support philanthropists, families, and foundations to SPARC’s Rare Disease and Cancer focus areas. Ishtiaq received his PhD from the University of Michigan and his undergraduate degree from Connecticut College.

Lillian Parr supports SPARC’s Brain Disorders and Mental Health focus areas. Previously, Parr was a research fellow at the Council on Strategic Risks, where she conducted research on biosecurity and pandemic-prevention policy. Her work focused on a range of issues, including zoonotic spillover prevention, regulation of dual-use life sciences research, and technology for pathogen early warning. Parr holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of William & Mary. As an undergraduate, Parr was an iGEM researcher and completed a research fellowship at Caltech.

Daniel Pham is the Director of Discovery Research Programs at BD². He played a lead role in building the foundation for BD², cultivating productive collaborations, and co-authoring multiple publications on bipolar disorder. Previously, Pham worked in science advocacy and policy at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, as well as Research America and Future of Research. Pham holds a PhD in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from UCLA.

Martine Polycarpe is the Program Coordinator for the Integrated Network program within BD². Previously, she was a global health and international development consultant. Polycarpe was also bureau chief for business development and director of global health at ADRA International, developing strategies for health, development, and disaster relief programs. She holds a master of public health from Loma Linda University and a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Adventist University.

Erin Ross manages SPARC’s strategy and operations across all initiatives. She applies her expertise in health systems and analyzing the role scientific evidence plays in health policy implementation to the role. Ross has published work on health policy and implementation strategies for topics such as type 1 diabetes, dementia, and tauopathies. Prior to joining SPARC, Erin worked in the life science industry for more than 17 years, building strong skills in scientific research, writing, facilitation, and communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Hood College.

Samantha Schumm applies her expertise in neuroscience to SPARC’s Mental Health focus area. Previously, Schumm was a program officer with the Board on Health Sciences Policy at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; she directed studies on race and ethnicity in biomedical and genomics research and led working groups on workforce development and manufacturing technologies in regenerative medicine. Schumm holds a PhD in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Yale University.

Elizabeth Stafford brings expertise in mental health and person-centered research to the Milken Institute’s partnerships with philanthropists and foundations, developing collaborative strategies to optimize philanthropic investment in advancing mental health research priorities. Previously, Stafford served as Director of Research for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She received a master of public health degree in Epidemiology with a Certificate in Public Health Genetics from the University of Michigan.