The Institute for Applied Biomedicine

Board of Directors
Institute for Applied Biomedicine

Institute for Applied Biomedicine's Board of Directors oversees the direction of the organization and develops long-term plans. The Board of Directors is additionally responsible for the fulfillment of the scientific, charitable and legal obligations of the Institute.

Robert Wickes joined the Board of Directors in 1997 and has served as its President since 2000. Mr. Wickes has a broad background in sales and sales management, primarily with 3M Business Products, but more recently with MCSi. Semi-retired, Mr. Wickes is now involved with RV sales and brokerage in Phoenix, AZ. Aside from his involvement with the Institute, Mr. Wickes has supported several community service activities in the Central Coast region, including the construction of a community center in Watsonville, CA. Mr. Wickes received his Bachelor of Science in Business and Industrial Management from San Jose State University.

Ann Bennett received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Until 2005, she was a scientist at Bay-area biotech powerhouse Arcturus, where she was involved in microgenomics and cancer research.

Michael R. Hardaway, J.D. is a patent attorney specializing in the electronic and mechanical arts. His career has ranged from Marine Corps Fighter Pilot during the Vietnam Era to electrical engineer. Mr. Hardaway has two sons, one of whom develops pharmaceutical delivery systems and one of whom is an information technology manager. Mr. Hardaway is also the proud grandparent of one! Mr. Hardaway uses his free time to pursue his hobby of bike racing. Mr. Hardaway received his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Cal Poly, and was awarded his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona.

Stuart A. Schlegel, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Schlegel is an internationally recognized authority on the culture and society of the Teduray people of the Philippines, about whom he has written numerous books and articles. Dr. Schlegel has served on a wide variety of boards and scholarly committees. Dr. Schlegel was awarded his Doctorate in Anthropology from the University of Chicago.

Gary R. Sigman began his own consultant practice in 2001 and is a frequent speaker and trainer for biopharma organizations. Following previous careers in media production and financial services, Mr. Sigman joined the pharmaceutical practice of a global human resources solutions provider in 1992. During the next six years, he played an integral role in the growth and management of that practice, which grew from two consultants to more than 100 during his tenure. In 1998, Mr. Sigman became the head of business development and corporate operations for a newly-public clinical research services company, with responsibility for managing a four-fold expansion in company size, as well as being responsible for development of the company's services in Europe.

Cole Strickland, MBA is a financial advisor at The Capitol Quorum who specializes in 401(k) management and professional portfolio and retirement services. Formerly a Senior Sales Manager with AT&T wireless, Mr. Strickland assisted in major implementations of wireless deployment for the State of California, the county and city of Santa Cruz, and San Benito County. He also supervised cash management, capital improvement budgets and regulatory negotiations for multiple wireless carriers. Mr. Strickland joined the Board of Directors in 2004 and is active in the planning, marketing and development of Institute events and fundraisers. Mr. Strickland received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a Masters of Science in Business from California State University, San Francisco.

John Winterle, Ph. D. is a Research Associate at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Winterle has served on the Board of Directors since 1999 and as the Director of Research since 2001. Dr. Winterle's background includes positions as the Director and Department Head at Syntex Research (Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences), as well as Roche Bioscience in Palo Alto, CA. Dr. Winterle has participated in the development and commercial licensing of five pharmaceutical products including ganciclovir and naproxen, and has 28 scientific publications and 16 significant registration documents on file. Dr. Winterle received a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honors) in Chemistry from Florida State University, and was awarded his Doctorate in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology. He is also a patent agent.