Julian Awad
Co-Founder and CEO
From making relief trips to refugees in Sumatra, to graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Wharton School of Business, Julian has always held a passion for two things: entrepreneurialism and social responsibility.
After spending 5 years with Xerox as a project manager, Julian moved on to CIGNA's Early Leadership Development Program, while simultaneously graduating from Wharton School of Business with a double major in Management and Marketing. With over 8 years of experience in strategic planning, project management, insurance, and information technology, Julian now has focused his goals on the success of Smart Genetics in the only way he knows how: by creating socially responsible value for customers and the community at large. | Richard Watson
Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer
Born in Saint Catharine, Jamaica, Richard immigrated to Philadelphia, PA in 1986, where his insatiable curiosity for science blossomed. While completing his degree in Molecular Biology at TempleUniversity, Richard began the work that would eventually lead to the backbone of Smart Genetics. Prior to Co-founding Smart Genetics, Richard served as a Research Specialist in Molecular Virology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine. During his time at the University of Pennsylvania, Richard co-authored several articles published in journals such as the Journal of Virology. He has worked on several research studies to understand the molecular pathology of coronavirus infection, including a joint study with Southern Research Institute (SRI) to develop an animal model for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). | Dr. David A. Targan MD
Director of Medical Communications
Dr. Targan is an Internal Medicine Physician , board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and member of the AmericanCollege of Physicians and the Pennsylvania and Montgomery County Medical Societies. He is on the medical staff of Lankenau and BrynMawrHospitals, part of the Main Line HealthCare System. Dr. Targan specializes in patient education, adolescent health, and personalized and genomic medicine. | Karen R. Hanson, M.S., M.B.A.
Director of Genetic Counseling
Karen is a certified genetic counselor with 18 years experience in both academic and private hospital settings. Karen also earned her MBA from Sellinger School of Business at LoyolaCollege. For the past 10 years, Karen has built, marketed and managed the cancer genetics practice here at the Genetics Department at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Maryland. She also conceived and planned a master’s level program for genetic counseling at the University of Maryland. She is frequently asked to speak to both lay and professional audiences, and contributes regularly to community newsletters and other publications. |
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