About Us
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to educate individuals about our unique class of genetic biomarkers, to advance research about them in order to find ways to prevent and better treat disease, and to help enable access to their meaningful applications.
OUR STORY
MiraKind is a nonprofit organization founded by Joanne Weidhaas, MD., PhD., in 2013, after the discovery of the KRAS-variant, the first discovered of a unique class of genetic biomarkers with dramatic implications for cancer risk, prevention, and treatment.
Dr. Weidhaas co-discovered the KRAS-variant in 2006, and soon thereafter found that the variant was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer,1 ovarian cancer, and triple negative breast cancer.2,3 After additional studies found that women with the KRAS-variant were at risk of multiple primary cancers,4 Dr. Weidhaas established MiraKind and set its mission to find ways to best help people with the increased risks presented by this variant.
As more and more studies of the KRAS-variant were completed, it became clear that by using this variant and variants like it, was possible to identify specific cancer treatments that would work best, both for response as well as minimizing side effects.
Since the founding of MiraKind in 2006, Dr. Weidhaas has discovered hundreds of additional variants like the KRAS-variant. MiraKind has expanded its mission to serve the entire community of individuals who carry these important biomarkers.
To stay up to date with MiraKind's research and efforts, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
OUR FOUNDER
Joanne Weidhaas, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Weidhaas is an oncologist and scientist who is passionate about improving patients' lives through research and the application of newly discovered scientific breakthroughs to healthcare. After an MD, PhD in molecular biology at Tufts, and residency in radiation oncology and a postdoc in genetics at MSKCC, she joined Yale University and Yale New Haven Hospital as a physician scientist and head of the breast cancer service in radiation oncology. In 2006, Dr. Weidhaas, in collaboration with Frank Slack, PhD, discovered the KRAS-variant, the first of a new type of inherited genetic biomarkers with broad implications in human health.7
Currently Dr. Weidhaas continues her work as the Head of Translational Research and Vice-Chair of Radiation Oncology at UCLA.
OUR TEAM
Tina Kelly
Patient Advisor & Lead Ambassador
Tina is a patient advisor to MiraKind and an advocate for women with the KRAS-variant. As a breast cancer survivor, she is passionate about empowering women to protect their health.
Sara Rosenthal
BOARD MEMBER
Sara began her career in the fields of health policy research and healthcare management consulting, with a specific interest in women's health. After earning her master's degree in business administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Sara gained deep finance experience working for an urban infill developer, where she helped secure over $75 million in acquisition capital to purchase multifamily buildings. Sara then went on to serve as principal of a Bay Area design build firm focused on green building projects, working alongside the CEO and founder.
Sara transitioned from real estate to work at the Stanford Graduate School of business in the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, where she developed graduate level entrepreneurship curriculum in partnership with entrepreneurs and faculty. Sara currently works as a Principal at TTCER Partners, an investment firm that serves as a platform to help entrepreneurs build and grow enduring companies. Sara brought her skills and passion for women's health to MiraKind in early 2014, where she currently advises the founder on women's health programming.
Rachel Vane
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Rachel has been helping small businesses and non-profits with website design and WordPress development for more than 13 years. She's been working with MiraKind as a website designer, website developer and graphic designer for 10 years. She loves MiraKind because she is passionate about people, especially women, having the information they need to make the best healthcare choices for themselves.
Hans Galland
TREASURER
Hans is an investment professional with ten years experience in transaction, asset management and corporate finance advice. His past work focused on profitability enhancement, repositioning/turnaround and product development. He was last Senior Vice President and head of the Beijing practice for the global hotel investment services firm Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.
Hans holds a MS degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BSc in Business Economics and International Hospitality Management from EHL at the University of Applied Science of Western Switzerland. He speaks fluent German, French and Mandarin Chinese.
As the son of a doctor and with three cancer victims in his immediate family, Hans is strongly committed to making a contribution to the field of cancer diagnostics.
