Dean's Advisory Council

College of Science and Health
Advisory Council Members

Adam Beder
BA '99 (Political Science)
MBA '16

Relationship: Alumnus
Employer: Hackensack Meridian Health*
Title:  Vice President of Government Affairs

Brief Background: Adam began his academic journey at WP as a music major before finding his path in political science. His extensive experience in public policy includes roles as Legislative Director for a New Jersey State Senator and Deputy Director of Legislation and Policy for the New Jersey Hospital Association. Currently, he is Vice President of Government Affairs at Hackensack Meridian Health. Adam earned the AHA Grassroots Champion award from the American Hospital Association in May 2022. He holds an MBA from Rider University and has completed MPP coursework in Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Adam was recently selected for WP 50 Alumni Under 50. For more information about Adam, please refer to the November 2024 section.

Victoria Cardwell
BA '16 (Marketing) & MBA '20 Ph.D Candidate

Relationship: Alumna
Employer: Starburst*
Title: Data Engineer II

Brief Background: Victoria is a Data Engineer II at Starburst Data with over eight years of experience in data engineering, specializing in ETL pipelines and cloud technologies. She has led initiatives in data warehousing and big data lake projects, transforming teams to agile workflows. Recently, she built a data engineering foundation that enhanced automation and speed to insights. Victoria earned her MBA in 2020 and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Technology Management at Indiana State University, focusing on human resource theory for software teams with a passion for supporting first-generation college students.

 Scott Hofsess
BA (Biology)
MS (Molecular Biology)

Relationship: Alumnus
Employer: Longboard Pharmaceuticals*
Title: Director of Clinical Vendor Management

Brief Background: Scott has over 25 years of experience in the New Jersey pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. His career spans roles in Pre-Clinical Drug Evaluation, Global Clinical Development, Supply Chain, and Medical Affairs. His work across therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, rare diseases, and neuroscience, has supported FDA approvals for life-saving treatments. Scott’s experience includes work with industry leaders like Merck, Immunomedics, and Novartis. 

 Sara Jones
BA '00 (Communcation)

Relationship: Alumna
Employer: Atlantic Health System*
Title: Vice President, Workforce Experience

Brief Background: Sara is a Human Resources leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategic initiatives that enhance organizational performance, retention, and employee engagement. After transferring from Bergen Community College to William Paterson University, Sara embraced campus life by becoming a Resident Assistant, an experience she credits as her first step into leadership and HR. Graduating with a degree in Communication Studies, she began her career with a recruiting firm and has since held various HR roles in healthcare and retail. Currently, as Vice President of Workforce Experience at Atlantic Health System, Sara supports 18,000 team members, focusing on creating a positive and productive work environment. A proud WP alumna, she remains deeply connected to her local community and values her role in fostering growth and success. 

Sara was recently selected for WP 50 Alumni Under 50. For more information about Sara, please refer to the January 2025 section.

Dr. Margaret Landi
BA (Biology)
MS (Bio/MedEthics)
MS (Comparative and Laboratory Animal Medicine)
VMD (Veterinarian)

Relationship: Alumna
Former Company: Glaxo Smith Kline*
Fomer Title: Chief Veterinarian

Brief Background: Margaret served as the Chief Veterinarian at GSK, where she led the Office of Animal Welfare, Ethics, Strategy, and Risk for over a decade. Now retired, she continues to specialize in laboratory animal medicine, bioethics, and translational research. Margaret remains active in academia as a faculty member at UPenn and is a recognized voice in animal welfare, animal research, and Harm/Benefit analysis, frequently publishing and speaking on these topics. 

Tom McGuire
BA '03 (Mathematics)

Relationship: Alumnus
Employer: Bantam Technologies*
Current Title: Co-founder/Chief Technology Officer

Brief Background: Tom is the co-founder of Bantam Technologies, a cybersecurity and consulting firm. He serves as an instructor in Johns Hopkins University's master’s program, teaching Reverse Engineering, Cryptology, and Cyber Risk Management. His expertise spans reverse engineering, OS internals, and AI applications in biotech. Tom has presented at BlackHat and DEFCON and served as a technical editor for "The Art of Mac Malware” series. He is passionate about advancing biotech including investing in various companies, one of which focuses on genetic disease solutions using CRISPR technology.

Tom was recently selected for WP 50 Alumni Under 50. For more information about Tom, please refer to the February 2025 section.

Nicole Trella
BS '97 (Nursing)
MBA (Marketing)

Relationship: Alumna
Employer: Boehringer Ingelheim*
Current Title: Director, Therapeutic Area Clinical Development & Operations

Brief Background: Nicole has built a career spanning over 20 years in Clinical Research and Development. Currently the Director of Medical Operations, she manages trial oversight, budget planning, and strategic development across oncology, respiratory, and immunology. Nicole graduated from William Paterson University with a BS in Nursing and holds an MBA in Marketing. 

Ed Vanderbeck
BS '96 (Biotechnology)

Relationship: Alumnus
Employer: XGen Pharmaceuticals*
Current Title: President and CEO

Brief Background: Ed is the President of XGen Pharmaceuticals and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from WP. His career began in pharmaceutical sales, later progressing through various roles at Chemworth Inc., where he served as Chief Operating Officer. Ed’s extensive experience includes work on the Human Genome Project and leadership in pharmaceutical innovation.

Dean Venkat Sharma
PhD '89 (Biochemistry/Microbiology)

Relationship: Dean of the College of Science and Health
Employer: William Paterson University*
Title: Dean and Professor of Biology

Brief Background: Dean Venkat Sharma has led the College of Science and Health since 2017, bringing over 37 years of experience in immunology, virology, biochemistry, and biomedical ethics. He has secured multiple grants and published extensively, with his research recognized globally.

Rose Mitchell
MA (Counseling, Human Development & Educational Leadership)

Relationship: ASPIRE Representative
Employer: William Paterson University*
Title: ASPIRE Stem Coordinator

Brief Background: Rose brings over 30 years of experience in higher education, specializing in program planning and implementation, staff supervision and training, and managing state and federal grant budgets. Her leadership has had a significant impact on student enrollment, development, and retention. Rose’s passion for student success inspires students to pursue excellence personally, educationally, and professionally, both on campus and in their future careers.