At Xtalks, we believe that behind every breakthrough, discovery and innovation in the life sciences is a person — or a team — whose passion and dedication drive progress. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch our newest initiative: Xtalks Featured Community Members, a celebration of the people powering change across pharma, biotech, medtech, healthcare, academia and beyond.
This initiative shines a light on the diverse professionals who make up our global life science community — from researchers and clinicians to product developers, regulatory experts, data scientists, entrepreneurs and more.
Whether you work in a lab, lead a team or support patient care, your work matters — and it deserves to be recognized.
Apply today or nominate a colleague to be an Xtalks Featured Community Member and help us celebrate the people shaping the future of health and science.
What Is Xtalks Featured Community Members?
Xtalks Featured Community Members is more than a recognition program — it’s a way to bring the industry closer together through shared stories, inspiration and connection.
We’ll highlight a selection of individuals who are making an impact in the life sciences. Featured Members will be showcased in articles on Xtalks.com and across our social media channels — reaching our audience of over 250,000 life science professionals worldwide.
As part of their feature, members will share:
- Their proudest life science achievements
- What their day-to-day work looks like
- The innovations that excite them most
- Their vision for the future of the industry
We’ll also include a professional headshot, job title, company affiliation and LinkedIn profile to help foster new connections and professional opportunities.
Meet Our Inaugural Featured Members
We’re honored to introduce our first Xtalks Featured Community Members — five exceptional professionals whose work exemplifies the innovation, heart and dedication that fuel progress in life sciences.
These individuals come from across the pharmaceutical, biotech and clinical research landscape, each bringing unique perspectives to the table.
Get to know them below — and be inspired by their words and work.
Dawn Heimer, PhD, Vice President of Clinical Research, Corvivo Cardiovascular
A dynamic force in both science and storytelling, Dr. Dawn Heimer is building bridges between clinical strategy, mentorship and human impact. From leading FDA-facing initiatives to co-authoring “Determined To Be Extraordinary,” a memoir that spotlights women in STEM, Dawn’s work inspires on multiple fronts.
“I see a future where access, insight and empathy drive innovation.”
— Dr. Dawn Heimer
Learn more about Dawn’s journey and impact here.
James Eldridge, Senior Director, Global Drug Safety, Y-mAbs Therapeutics
James Eldridge brings clarity and rigor to safety science in rare disease oncology. With a passion for leveraging real-world evidence (RWE) and AI tools in pharmacovigilance, James is shaping how safety data informs regulatory decisions and clinical care alike.
“I perform safety oversight activities for several first-in-human radiopharmaceutical clinical trials utilizing innovative products.”
— James Eldridge
Explore James’s work in clinical safety and innovation by clicking here.
Kellie Giles, MS, PMP, Director of Clinical Operations, Takeda
From the bench to boardroom, Kellie Giles has touched every phase of the drug development lifecycle. With experience ranging from antibody research to NDA/BLA submissions, she now leads with precision, collaboration and a commitment to patients.
“I thrive at the intersection of operational detail and scientific strategy.”
— Kellie Giles
Discover how Kellie is driving clinical operations forward right here.
Marissa Halfin, MD, MBA, Director of Clinical Informatics, Labcorp
Dr. Marissa Halfin leads cross-functional teams at the intersection of clinical data and engineering, driving efforts to transform complex health information into actionable insights. With a strong focus on integrating AI and real-world data (RWD) into clinical research, she is helping modernize how evidence is generated and used to advance patient care.
“My proudest achievements in life sciences center around merging technology solutions with healthcare delivery to improve patient outcomes.”
— Dr. Marissa Halfin
Click here to read more about Marissa’s work at the cutting edge of informatics.
Simran Padam, MD, APMMC, Senior Medical Director, Worldwide Clinical Trials
Dr. Simran Padam lives by the motto “Think globally, act locally” — a philosophy evident in her work advancing oncology clinical trials, regulatory collaboration and education. Her leadership is helping usher in a more personalized, inclusive era of drug development.
“I feel incredibly proud when colleagues reach out to me with their comments, questions and feedback.”
— Dr. Simran Padam
Meet Simran and learn how she’s shaping the future of oncology trials here.
These five professionals represent just a fraction of the incredible talent in our global life sciences community — and we can’t wait to feature many more.
Why We Created This Initiative
We hear from so many of our community members that their work is rewarding but rarely seen outside their immediate circles. We want to change that.
At Xtalks, we’ve always believed in elevating voices and surfacing insights that inspire action and collaboration.
This initiative is our way of giving back to the community — by amplifying your stories, celebrating your contributions and helping others learn from your experiences.
Apply Yourself or Nominate a Peer
Do you know someone doing incredible work in the life sciences? Or perhaps you’re proud of your own journey and want to inspire others? We’d love to hear from you.
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 it 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.
Join or login to leave a comment
JOIN LOGIN