Ron Najafi, Ph.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Ramin (Ron) Najafi is a seasoned scientist, entrepreneur, and executive with more than three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. He is the Founder, President, and CEO of Emery Pharma, a leading Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in preclinical research, bioanalysis, and regulatory compliance. Under his leadership, Emery Pharma has grown into an FDA-registered, DEA-licensed, and cGMP/GLP-compliant laboratory with robust analytical capabilities including LC-MS, HRMS, NMR, and GC-MS.
At Emery Pharma, Dr. Najafi has led groundbreaking work in the detection and analysis of nitrosamine impurities—a critical area of pharmaceutical safety. Most notably, he and his team were the first to demonstrate that the heartburn medication ranitidine (Zantac) could form the carcinogen NDMA under certain environmental conditions. This discovery played a pivotal role in shaping regulatory decisions and public health policy. Dr. Najafi also oversaw investigations into nitrosamine contamination in other medications such as Valsartan and Metformin. Emery Pharma, under his direction, has supported numerous clients through method development, validation, and GMP-compliant testing to ensure compliance with FDA Acceptable Intake (AI) limits for both Volatile Nitrosamines and Nitrosamine Drug Substance-Related Impurities (NDSRIs).
Before founding Emery Pharma, Dr. Najafi established NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, where he served as Chairman and CEO and successfully led the company to its IPO in 2007. He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from UC Davis and B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of San Francisco. With deep expertise in analytical chemistry, regulatory science, and intellectual property, Dr. Najafi continues to drive innovation and quality in drug development and pharmaceutical testing.
Kathryn Najafi-Tagol, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Kathryn Najafi-Tagol, M.D., is the founder and Medical Director of the Eye Institute of Marin and Chief of Ophthalmology at Marin Health Medical Center. She is a leading expert in cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma and laser treatments, and the management of blepharitis and dry eye disease. She currently serves as Medical Director for Emery Pharma and is credited with the discovery and development of 0.01% PURE hypochlorous acid for the treatment of blepharitis—an innovation now commercialized as Avenova® by NovaBay Pharmaceuticals for both therapeutic and pre-surgical care.
Dr. Najafi has played a pivotal role in clinical research, including spearheading and serving as medical monitor for multiple national and international clinical trials targeting viral conjunctivitis (EKC), bacterial conjunctivitis, and blepharitis due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. She made significant contributions to NovaBay, where she helped develop and oversee clinical trial programs from conception to execution. Her involvement extended across protocol development, establishing and qualifying clinical sites, training investigators, and monitoring study performance to ensure scientific rigor and regulatory compliance. Dr. Najafi is also well-versed in global clinical trial execution and has served as medical monitor on various multicenter studies.
Dr. Najafi graduated with honors in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, and earned her M.D. from UCLA. As a UC Regent Scholar, she received numerous accolades throughout her academic and clinical training. She conducted early research at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute and completed her residency at Brookdale Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident. She pursued a glaucoma fellowship at USC’s prestigious Doheny Eye Institute. After her training, she led the Glaucoma Service at a multi-specialty medical group in Solano County before founding the Eye Institute of Marin in 2004—a premier ophthalmic practice in Northern California.
Ryan Cheu Ph.D.
Director, Chemisty Department
Dr. Ryan Cheu is a seasoned bioanalytical chemist and regulatory scientist with deep expertise in pharmacokinetics, method development, and pharmaceutical compliance. As Director of Chemistry at Emery Pharma, he leads the company’s bioanalytical and regulatory programs across both R&D and GLP/cGMP-compliant studies.
Since joining Emery Pharma in 2019, Dr. Cheu has overseen the development, validation, and qualification of analytical methods using advanced instrumentation including LC-MS/MS, HRMS, HPLC/UPLC, UV-Vis, NMR, and CAD. His work supports the analysis of small molecules, biologics, metabolites, and biomarkers in complex matrices. He plays a critical role in regulatory strategy and execution, contributing to IND filings, IRB submissions, and method transfers, while ensuring alignment with FDA, DEA, ICH, and ISO 17025 standards.
Dr. Cheu is also a recognized expert witness, having provided deposition and trial testimony in high-stakes pharmaceutical litigation involving analytical chemistry and bioanalysis.
He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Washington, where his research focused on microbial dysbiosis and HIV prevention. Prior to Emery, he held research roles at Genentech and the University of Washington, contributing to multi-omics and drug metabolism studies.
Janet Liu, Ph.D.
Director, Biology Department
Janet Liu is an accomplished microbiologist and molecular biologist with extensive experience in preclinical research, microbiological assays, and method development. She currently serves as Director of Biology at Emery Pharma, where she has held leadership roles since 2018.
At Emery Pharma, Dr. Liu leads the design and execution of microbiology, cell biology, and molecular biological studies tailored to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. She is deeply involved in troubleshooting complex assay systems and ensuring scientific rigor and compliance. Dr. Liu’s technical skill set spans microbiology, PCR, ligand binding assays (i.e., ELISA), and various cell and immunological assays. She is proficient in culturing a variety of bacteria species, as well as in bioassays to determine MIC, MBC, antibiotic synergy, and in-vivo infection models. She also has experience validating and performing GLP-compliant ELISA assays to support pharmacokinetic studies in clinical trials. As part of Emery Pharma’s litigation and consulting support, she has overseen numerous litigation projects and has provided disposition testimony as an expert witness.
Before joining Emery Pharma, Dr. Liu completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Pediatrics at UC San Diego, where she investigated bacterial pathogenesis, including anthrax toxin mechanisms and cholera infection models. Her doctoral research at UC Irvine focused on host-pathogen interactions involving zinc acquisition in Salmonella and E. coli.
Neeku Mahdavian
Director, Operations and Corporate Development
Neeku Mahdavian is an experienced Operations and Business Development professional with a strong background in analytical chemistry and regulatory compliance. Since joining Emery Pharma in 2017, she has played a key role in driving the company’s growth and operational excellence. Rising through the ranks from Business Development Associate to her current position as Director of Operations and Corporate Development, Neeku has helped grow the business multi-fold. She now oversees company-wide operations and quality systems, ensuring the smooth management of both ongoing and incoming projects.
In her leadership role, Neeku works closely with scientific and executive teams to develop research and product development proposals that support the company’s strategic direction. She manages critical aspects of business development, including client engagement, negotiations, and the establishment of long-term strategic partnerships.
Prior to Emery Pharma, Neeku held roles at Gilead Sciences and Bayer Healthcare, where she gained hands-on experience in analytical operations and quality control. Her work included executing laboratory tests using techniques such as UPLC and HPLC, validating raw materials, drafting SOPs, and supporting FDA audits. These experiences provided her with a solid foundation in cGMP, cGLP, and compliance practices.
Neeku holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from San Francisco State University and a post-baccalaureate in pre-health sciences from California State University East Bay.
Hubert Lin, M.S.
Director, Quality Assurance
Hubert Lin is a seasoned Quality Assurance specialist with over a decade of experience in quality assurance and laboratory operations within FDA-regulated environments. He holds a Professional Science Master’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of San Francisco and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from UC Davis. His expertise includes FDA GLP/cGMP regulations (21 CFR Parts 58, 210, and 211), ISO 17025, method validation and analysis (e.g., ICH Q2(R2), M10), U.S. Pharmacopoeia, equipment qualification, risk management, data integrity, and audit readiness.
At Emery Pharma, Hubert currently serves as the Director of Quality Assurance. He has been instrumental in building and refining the company’s Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and supporting client regulatory submissions such as INDs and IMPDs. His responsibilities include managing and updating QMS documentation, managing and overseeing the employee training program, handling quality events such as deviations and CAPAs, and overseeing and reviewing documents and records generated from GLP studies and cGMP release testing. Notably, Hubert has successfully hosted multiple compliance audits, including two FDA inspections, further cementing Emery Pharma’s regulatory credibility.
He also manages QA personnel and closely collaborates with scientists to support analytical and bioanalytical method validations, data integrity processes, and regulatory documentation. His cross-functional expertise allows him to effectively bridge scientific operations with compliance strategies.
Before fully transitioning into QA, Hubert served as Assistant to the Director of Chemistry at Emery Pharma, where he performed several analytical chemistry and microbiology assays and methods, including LC-MS, HPLC, NMR, and various antimicrobial profiling methods. His prior industry experience includes biomedical engineering, where he contributed to the FDA clearance of NovaBay’s intelli-Case, a 510(k) medical device.
Ana Najafi, Pharm.D.
Strategic Pharmaceutical Development
Ana Najafi is a PharmD graduate from UCSF with a strong foundation in biology and chemistry, coupled with a track record of impactful work in pharmaceutical development, regulatory advocacy, and healthcare systems optimization. Notably, she authored an FDA Citizen Petition addressing Vitamin B6 toxicity risks during the COVID-19 supplement surge, gaining national media attention.
At Emery Pharma, Ana has played a key role in business development since 2016, transitioning to a full-time Strategic Pharmaceutical Development Associate in 2021. In this role, she collaborates with the Chemistry and Biology departments to drive client engagement, scope new projects, and manage project initiation and client communication. She leads marketing initiatives, including website content development and aligning outreach strategies with industry trends and internal capabilities. Her role at Emery Pharma also involved overseeing digital marketing, liaising between clients and scientific teams, and contributing to the execution of over 200 research projects. Ana’s combined experience in pharmacy operations, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration underscores her value in supporting early-stage drug development and expanding Emery Pharma’s industry presence.
Benjamin Ezeokoli, B.S.
Research Scientist I, Chemistry Department
Benjamin Ezeokoli is a highly skilled chemist with a strong foundation in analytical chemistry, biological systems, and pharmaceutical research. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University, graduating with honors and additional academic recognition from Contra Costa College. His career spans clinical research, oligonucleotide manufacturing, and R&D, reflecting both technical depth and a commitment to health equity and scientific innovation.
At Emery Pharma, Benjamin currently serves as a Research Scientist I, where he leads analytical method development and validation following ICH Q2(R2) and M10 guidelines. His work involves independent operation and troubleshooting of advanced instrumentation such as LC-MS/MS, Orbitrap, and GC-MS, along with in-depth data analysis using specialized software platforms. Benjamin also plays a key role in antibody-drug conjugation studies, ensuring precise characterization through both analytical and biological workflows. In addition to his lab responsibilities, he enhances Emery Pharma’s infrastructure by drafting SOPs, validating sensors, and maintaining lab equipment in alignment with quality standards.
Prior to Emery Pharma, Benjamin gained extensive experience in GMP-grade oligonucleotide method development, synthesis, and purification using advanced chromatographic and automation systems at Synthego Corporation. He also contributed to healthcare access during the COVID-19 pandemic through co-founding a non-profit organization focused on distribution of medical supplies and resources to communities in need.
Brianna White, M.S.
Research Scientist III, Chemistry Department
Brianna White is an accomplished analytical scientist with a strong background in biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioanalytical method development. She holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Sheffield and a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from California State University, Sacramento. Her professional expertise spans a wide range of techniques, including HPLC, LC-MS/MS, ELISA, FTIR, GC-MS, PCR, NMR, SDS-PAGE, and various wet chemistry assays.
At Emery Pharma, Brianna currently serves as a Research Scientist II. Since 2022, she has led the development, validation, and transfer of complex analytical and bioanalytical assays under both R&D and GxP conditions. Her work focuses on the quantification and characterization of small and large molecules, APIs, drug metabolites, impurities, and biomarkers across various formulations and biological matrices. She is proficient in multiple chromatographic techniques (RP, HILIC, SEC, IEC, HIC, NP) and detection methods (UV-Vis, MS, CAD), and is experienced in using industry-standard data analysis software such as ChemStation, MassHunter, and Chromeleon.
Brianna also plays a vital role in laboratory operations, including instrument maintenance, equipment calibration, SOP and protocol drafting, and GxP-compliant documentation. Her work extends to client-facing responsibilities, supporting technical discussions, proposals, and reporting.
Prior to Emery Pharma, Brianna held several QC analyst roles, including at Agenus West and Joinn Biologics, where she gained extensive experience in analytical testing, method development, and compliance across the biopharmaceutical and food testing industries.
Chris Purcell, B.S.
Business Development Manager
Chris Purcell is an experienced business development manager with a B.S. in Molecular Biology from UC Santa Cruz. Chris brings prior experience utilizing on-chip microfluidic platforms in small molecule drug discovery along with business development experience selling analytical lab services in a regulated setting.
At Emery Pharma, Chris has served as a key contributor to business development, leveraging his role as Business Development Manager to support client engagement and strategic growth. He works closely with both the Chemistry and Biology teams to accurately scope project requests. Chris plays a central role in organizing and executing client-facing initiatives such as lunch and learn events, which foster new partnerships and highlight Emery Pharma’s scientific capabilities. He also contributes to proposal review and development, ensuring alignment between client needs and internal resources.
As an outward-facing representative of Emery Pharma, Chris is instrumental in expanding the company’s reach, building relationships with potential partners, and supporting the advancement of small molecule and biologics-based programs through collaborative CRO services.
Colin Goswell, B.S.
Research Scientist II, Chemistry Department
Colin Goswell is an experienced analytical chemist with a B.S. in Chemistry from San Diego State University and a strong foundation in mass spectrometry and chromatographic techniques. With a career spanning from research associate roles to advanced analytical responsibilities, Colin brings expertise in method development, validation, instrumentation maintenance, and data interpretation across a range of analytical platforms.
At Emery Pharma, Colin currently serves as a Research Scientist II. Since joining the company in 2021, he has led and supported the development and validation of analytical and bioanalytical assays under both R&D and GxP conditions. His work involves advanced techniques such as HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and NMR across various separation modes (RP, HILIC, NP, SEC, IEC, HIC) and detection methods (UV-Vis, CAD, MS). Colin performs both preparative and semi-preparative isolations and characterizations of analytes, including impurities, metabolites, and biomarkers, and conducts stability, solubility, and lipophilicity assessments of pharmaceutical formulations.
Prior to Emery Pharma, Colin gained experience in molecular biology and logistics at Abcam and conducted undergraduate research on bacterial metabolomics using mass spectrometry.
Hamid Mobedi, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Chemistry Department
Dr. Hamid Mobedi is a seasoned pharmaceutical scientist with more than two decades of experience in polymer science, pharmaceutical formulation, and advanced drug delivery systems. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mashhad and completed a sabbatical course at the University of Manchester. His career spans academia, industry, and translational research across Iran, Canada, and the United States.
Dr. Mobedi spent over 20 years at the Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, where he led extensive research on biodegradable polymers and controlled-release drug delivery systems, including in-situ forming implants, microspheres, and nanospheres for tissue engineering. His prior leadership roles included Head of the Polymer Incubator and Director of the Novel Drug Delivery Systems Department. In the private sector, Dr. Mobedi co-founded Varian Pharmed Company, where he served as CEO and R&D Manager. He oversaw the formulation, development, and commercialization of long-acting injectable products, including Triptorelin and Luprorelin formulations now on the market.
Since joining Emery Pharma in March 2023, Dr. Mobedi has been applying his expertise to the development of innovative pharmaceutical products. His current work focuses on creating a new intranasal naloxone HCl formulation aimed at improving bioavailability and achieving a faster onset of action than existing products. To support this effort, he is leading the establishment of an in-vitro permeation assay to screen top candidate formulations and the validation of an LC-MS/MS method for plasma naloxone quantification—key steps in preparing for future clinical trials.
Hoorieh Jahanbani, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Chemistry Department
Dr. Hoorieh Jahanbani is a seasoned synthetic organic chemist with more than two decades of experience in drug development, analytical chemistry, and academic leadership. She holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Tarbiat Modares University and began her academic career at Islamic Azad University in Tehran, where she established the institution’s first chemistry research lab, mentored graduate students, and held several leadership roles including Dean of Faculty and Vice President. Her research focused on the synthesis of biologically active heterocyclic compounds, green synthesis of nanosilver particles, and evaluation of their antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
At the University of Northern British Columbia, she expanded her expertise into advanced material science, drug delivery, and environmental remediation using porous materials and biopolymer composites. She led the synthesis of Lignin@MOF-Cu as a pH-responsive drug delivery system and worked extensively with analytical tools such as NMR, LC-MS/MS, FTIR, and TGA.
Since joining Emery Pharma in 2024, Dr. Jahanbani has played a key role in supporting a range of analytical and bioanalytical projects, both non-GMP and GMP-compliant. Her work includes method development, validation, and stability testing using cutting-edge instrumentation such as 400 MHz NMR, Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry, Triple-Quadrupole LC-MS/MS, Vanquish Flex UPLC, and HS/GC-FID. She has developed and validated methods for critical applications, including detection of nitrosamine impurities (e.g., NDMA) and residual solvent analysis per USP <467>. Her contributions also include excipient characterization, profiling of volatile compounds, and bioanalytical studies of drugs like Naloxone. Additionally, she supports permeation and stability testing to evaluate product performance.
Prajita Pandey, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Chemistry Department
Dr. Prajita Pandey is a skilled analytical chemist with deep expertise in analytical and bioanalytical method development. She currently serves as Associate Director of the Chemistry Department at Emery Pharma. Since joining Emery Pharma in 2020, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s protein characterization and biologics analysis capabilities.
In her current role, Dr. Pandey focuses on the development and validation of analytical and bioanalytical methods for a broad spectrum of biologic molecules, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), peptides, and proteins, as well as small molecules. She employs advanced instrumentation such as HRMS, HPLC, UHPLC, LC-MS/MS, and GC-MS for both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Dr. Pandey leads large molecule characterization initiatives, including drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) determination, peptide mapping, intact mass analysis, aggregate analysis, and post-translational modification (PTM) profiling.
Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of North Texas and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington. Before Emery Pharma, she worked as a microbiologist at Mérieux NutriSciences, where she conducted molecular testing for foodborne pathogens.
Rakesh Jain, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Chemistry Department
Dr. Rakesh Jain is a seasoned medicinal chemist with over 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and drug development. He currently serves as Senior Scientist at Emery Pharma, where he specializes in impurity profiling and nitrosamine risk assessment. Dr. Jain holds a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry and is a recognized expert in the formation, mitigation, and analysis of nitrosamines such as NDMA and NDEA.
He played a key role in investigating nitrosamine impurities in ranitidine (Zantac), including the synthesis of radiolabeled ranitidine to study degradation pathways. His work provided critical insights into NDMA formation under various conditions, establishing him as a go-to expert in nitrosamine mechanisms.
Prior to Emery Pharma, Dr. Jain spent nine years at Vicuron Pharmaceuticals (formerly Versicor) as Associate Director of Chemistry, where he led the discovery of novel antibacterials targeting drug-resistant pathogens. His team’s efforts culminated in a first-in-class compound that entered Phase I clinical trials and included collaborations with Novartis and Merck.
Dr. Jain’s contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications and over a dozen patents. His deep expertise in SAR optimization, synthetic route design, and mechanistic chemistry supports Emery Pharma’s mission in pharmaceutical innovation and regulatory compliance.
Rowena Matias, B.S.
Senior Research Scientist II, Biology Department
Rowena Matias is an accomplished microbiologist and research scientist with over two decades of laboratory experience spanning microbiology, molecular biology, and cell culture. Since 2016, she has served as a Senior Research Scientist II at Emery Pharma, where she plays a central role in microbiological research and client-driven assay development.
At Emery Pharma, Ms. Matias is responsible for designing and executing a broad range of microbiological assays, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing (MIC, MBC), time-kill kinetics, biofilm eradication assays (MBEC), and synergy testing. She has deep expertise in Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) antimicrobial susceptibility test methods, evaluation of novel antibiotics, antibiotic resistance testing and post-antibiotic effect (PAE) studies. Her precise and professional approach underpins the high-quality execution of microbiology and cell biology experiments across a wide range of therapeutic and consumer applications.
Prior to Emery Pharma, she worked at Anacor Pharmaceuticals and Achaogen, where she conducted high-throughput antibacterial and antifungal screening using CLSI guidelines. Notably, her work at Achaogen contributed to the development and FDA approval of plazomicin (ZEMDRI). She began her career at Celera Genomics, gaining early experience in cell culture, Baculovirus expression systems, ELISA, and protein analysis.
Ms. Matias holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Philippines.