Karen Makar

Karen Makar is a Ph.D. immunologist and molecular epidemiologist who leads the Discovery & Translational Sciences team’s Global Health Discovery Collaboratory. The Collaboratory is a network of foundation grantees that applies cutting-edge technological innovations to global health problems and fosters interdisciplinary partnerships that advance the discovery of novel biomedical solutions. Its flagship Collaboratory Platforms program provides members with early access to best-in-class tools, technology platforms, and expertise to increase scientific rigor and accelerate discovery and translation efforts among foundation grantees.

Karen’s career of 20+ years includes cultivating and sourcing cutting-edge science and technology to advance the development of innovative health interventions at Dendreon Corporation and then Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where she served as director of the Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory.

Karen joined the foundation in 2015 as a program officer in Discovery & Translational Sciences team working on vaccines and biologics efforts, with a focus on elucidating mechanisms and correlates of protection.