Dr. Vishal Patel and Alan Lee concluded their terms as Seeding Labs board members at the end of 2024. Patel, the outgoing board chair, had served the organization since 2017, while Lee—who served as Board Chair twice during his tenure—began his service in 2018.
“I am deeply grateful to Vishal and Alan for their leadership over the years,” said Seeding Labs CEO Melissa P. Wu, PhD. “They both played important roles in our transition through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as our more recent strategic shift to center sustainable development in our work. On behalf of our staff and our partner institutions around the world, thank you.”
Dr. Chad Jackson, who works as the Senior Director of Preclinical and Translational Research at the Foundation Fighting Blindness, will serve as the next Board Chair. He expressed his enthusiasm for his new position, saying, “I’m proud to be a part of Seeding Labs because of its unparalleled commitment to empowering scientists in developing countries to address critical global challenges.”
Jackson added, “Through innovative programs that expand access to high-impact scientific equipment and foster international collaboration, Seeding Labs drives meaningful progress in advancing science and equitable development.”
Joining Jackson on the board for 2025 will be new members Dr. Kala Subramanian and Edward Melia.
- Subramanian is an Operating Partner at Flagship Pioneering, where she provides strategic and operational planning for Flagship’s new corporations.
- Melia joins the board for 2025, bringing expertise in life sciences and technology business development. He is a Managing Partner at Evolution Global Growth Partners.
With plans to supply more researchers with equipment, 2025 is set to be a year of growth and innovation for Seeding Labs, a year set up by departing board members Patel and Lee and continued by the additions of Subramanian and Melia.
