CIRM new hires include former employees and some new faces, all focused on the agency’s mission.

Rosa Canet-Aviles, PhD

Rosa has been named the new Vice President of Scientific Programs. Rosa is a familiar face at the agency, serving as a Science Officer with CIRM from 2008 to 2014. During that time, she helped oversee the development of our Translational program. She also managed a broad portfolio of projects and organized workshops on Parkinson’s and autism.

After leaving CIRM, she joined the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FINH). At FINH, she served as the Director of Neuroscience Research Partnerships. In that role, she led the successful development and management of new large partnerships. Those included the Biomarkers Consortium Neuroscience Steering Committee, the Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) for Alzheimer’s disease, the AMP Parkinson’s disease, and AMP Schizophrenia.

Rosa has more than 15 years of experience working in industry, academia, and government. Her experience in developing and managing neuroscience programs will be invaluable. Rosa will help CIRM as it decides where to invest some $1.5 billion in neuroscience under Proposition 14.

“I am very excited to be back,” says Rosa. ”It is a dream come true being able to translate all the skills, learning, and networks gathered over the past 7 years … for patients in need.” 

“We are thrilled to announce the timely return of Rosa to CIRM,” says Dr. Maria T. Millan, CIRM’s President & CEO. “Rosa has demonstrated time and again the unique ability to bring together often disparate stakeholders to successfully drive toward a common goal of advancing the science on behalf of patients with diseases of the brain and neuropsychiatric disorders.”

In addition, CIRM is pleased to announce the following new team members:

Uta Grieshammer, PhD

Uta is also returning to CIRM as the Senior Science Officer for our Discovery program. Uta was at CIRM from 2007 to 2015. During that time she led the programs that created both our Genomics Initiative and our iPSC bank. She also organized several scientific conferences and workshops involving hundreds of CIRM-funded researchers.

After leaving CIRM, she became the Scientific Director of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. At UCSF, she created and managed the application and peer review process. Most recently, she was the Program Officer at the University of California Office of the President’s (UCOP) Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program. In that role, she focused on the neuroscience of nicotine addiction. She also helped develop a scholarship program to attract students from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in science. 

Michael Bunch

Michael, a decorated veteran, joins CIRM as a Business Service Officer. He formerly worked as the Chief Business Officer at the Veterans Home in Yountville, California. In that role, he implemented new contract and review processes. He also oversaw the income and insurance tracking for some 1,000 residents. Michael has extensive background in acquisition management, contingency contracting, and deep knowledge of state regulations and guidelines. In his previous work, he increased funding, streamlined processes, and for veterans.

Michael spent 25 years in the US Army, including serving as part of the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo. During that deployment, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM) for managing the fuel needs of 4 Multinational Task Forces and 33 Nations, an essential element in helping the mission succeed.

He served as a Senior Drill Sergeant, Infantry Instructor, and Financial and Resource Manager with the Army. Michael’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaves, the Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaves, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, KOSOVO Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NATO Medal, and Expert Infantryman Badge. He is also an Honorary Kentucky Colonel and Honorary Kentucky Admiral.

Nellie Almazan

Nellie joins CIRM as a Grants Management Specialist.

Nellie comes to us from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Most recently, she served as the Associate Transportation Planner with the Low Carbon Transit Operations program.

Nellie managed more than 150 projects, reviewing grants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state and overseeing programs that emphasized serving Disadvantaged Communities.

She is currently enrolled at Sacramento City College, where her focus is on Sociology and Deaf Culture.

Alexandra Caraballo

Alexandra joins CIRM as a Grants Management Specialist. Alex has more than 15 years of grant administration experience with a focus on incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion into grantmaking practices and decision-making.

She comes to CIRM from the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, where she was the National Manager of Philanthropy. There, she was responsible for administering approximately 200 grants in the national community health portfolio.

Before Kaiser, she was the Program Assistant and Associate Program Officer at the East Bay Community Foundation, where she partnered with donors and community-based organizations to advance racial equity and transform political, social, and economic outcomes for East Bay Communities.

Alex currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Lindsay Wildlife Experience and was a former Advisory Board member for Oakland Head Start.