At Xtalks, we believe that every breakthrough in life sciences is powered by people whose passion and dedication move the industry forward. That’s why we’re proud to highlight our next group of Xtalks Featured Community Members, innovators shaping the future across pharma, biotech, medtech, healthcare and beyond.
This initiative shines a light on diverse individuals within our global community, from executives and clinicians to research leaders, quality experts, data strategists and entrepreneurs. Their stories showcase not only what they do, but why they do it.
Apply today or nominate a colleague to be an Xtalks Featured Community Member and help us highlight the people shaping the future of health and science.
What Is Xtalks Featured Community Members?
Xtalks Featured Community Members is our way of spotlighting the talent, ideas and leadership that drive life sciences forward.
Each member shares their proudest achievements, day-to-day highlights, favorite innovations and their vision for the industry’s future. Their profiles appear on Xtalks.com, our life science newsletter and across our social channels, reaching hundreds of thousands of life science professionals worldwide.
Meet Our Latest Featured Members
We’re proud to introduce five exceptional professionals whose work exemplifies the creativity, expertise and heart behind today’s life sciences. Get to know them below.
Christopher Missling, PhD, President & CEO, Anavex Life Sciences
Dr. Christopher Missling is leading the charge in precision medicine for CNS disorders, from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to rare diseases. With a career bridging science, business and innovation, he is dedicated to delivering therapies that restore cellular balance and transform patient lives. Read more about Dr. Missling’s vision for the future of CNS healthcare here.
“At the heart of my work is a simple yet profound mission: To deliver meaningful change for patients and families affected by CNS disorders.”
— Dr. Christopher Missling
Jonathan Hall, PhD, Founder & CEO, Qubigen
As Founder & CEO of Qubigen, Dr. Jonathan Hall is pioneering Federated AI to transform drug discovery and accelerate breakthroughs in biopharma. His technology enables secure, collaborative innovation, unlocking data’s full potential while protecting its integrity. Discover how Dr. Hall is reimagining the future of drug design here.
“With the power of AI harnessed with a diverse and extensive dataset, we could see the dawn of all drugs being cheaper for everyone, forever.”
— Dr. Jonathan Hall
Mark Franklin, Manager, Curation, DrugBank
At DrugBank, Mark Franklin leads a team dedicated to curating high-quality drug data that fuels AI and advances drug discovery. His work combines a love of science with leadership that emphasizes accuracy, collaboration and innovation. Learn more about Mark’s role in shaping data-driven biotech here.
“Over time, I’ve been consistently impressed with how my team has leveled up their skills to continue the pursuit of accurate information.”
— Mark Franklin
Petra Elischer, Head of Quality & Regulatory Affairs, Hart Biologicals Limited
Petra Elischer has built her career on fostering a culture of quality, collaboration and empowerment within life sciences. From mentoring teams to advancing quality assurance for IVDs, she is committed to raising standards and inspiring continuous improvement. Explore Petra’s perspective on quality, innovation and leadership here.
“Ultimately, the vision is to build an industry where kindness, trust and collaboration are as integral as cutting-edge science and technology.”
— Petra Elischer
Rebecca Starkie, Consultant, Civia Health
Rebecca Starkie is championing bold, patient-centered approaches to clinical research and engagement. From designing community-focused initiatives to amplifying patient voices in trial design, her work reflects empathy, innovation and impact. Read Rebecca’s thoughts on patient engagement and the future of clinical trials here.
“Those moments of connection and influence are the highlights I carry with me.”
— Rebecca Starkie
Why We’re Highlighting These Members
These five professionals represent the expertise and creativity within our global community. Their stories show the diversity of ways people are contributing to better healthcare, whether through data, discovery, quality, leadership or patient engagement.
At Xtalks, we’re committed to elevating voices like theirs, to inspire collaboration, spark new ideas and celebrate the people behind the progress.
Apply Yourself or Nominate a Peer
Do you know someone doing incredible work in the life sciences? Or perhaps you’d like to share your own story?
You can apply to be an Xtalks Featured Community Member or nominate a colleague through our simple online form. It takes just a few minutes and could open doors to new conversations, partnerships and recognition across the industry.
Let’s celebrate the people driving life sciences forward, one story at a time.
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