OUR TEAM
BORIS NIKOLIC, M.D.
Managing Director
Dr. Nikolic is a physician and investor who previously served as chief advisor for science and technology to Bill Gates, leading select for-profit and not-for-profit investment activities. His investments spanned the life science, information technology and health care sectors, including companies such as Foundation Medicine, ResearchGate, Schrodinger and Nimbus Therapeutics.
Dr. Nikolic completed postdoctoral training in transplantation immunology at Harvard Medical School and served as an assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. He has authored more than 70 articles, patents and patent applications, and has co-founded several biotechnology companies that have since been acquired. Dr. Nikolic earned his M.D. from University of Zagreb School of Medicine in Croatia, and clinical training at University Hospital Centre in Zagreb.
Dr. Nikolic sits on the Board of Directors for several of Biomatics’ portfolio companies including Encodia, eGenesis, Omniome and GuideRx. He is a board observer for Cytrellis, Verve and Thrive.
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JULIE SUNDERLAND
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Prior to co-founding Biomatics Capital Partners in 2016, Ms. Sunderland was director of Program Related Investments for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She led the foundation’s $1.5 billion strategic investment pool, which focused on global health, global development and education. She funded 50 investments, including 30 in health care, and built a team of 10 investment professionals.
Ms. Sunderland also chaired Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s investment committee, which reviews all program-related investments. Prior to that role, she advised foundations, development finance institutions and governments on venture capital, SME financing and technical assistance programs.Ms. Sunderland holds a B.A. from Harvard University, an MBA from Wharton Business School and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Ms. Sunderland sits on the Board of Directors for several of Biomatics’ portfolio companies including Aledade, BlackThorn, eGenesis and Verana.
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MIKE POOLE, M.D.
VENTURE PARTNER
Dr. Poole identifies and evaluates potential investments for Biomatics, with a focus on data- and genomics-enabled approaches to diagnose and treat neurological disorders. He also supports portfolio companies with transitional and operational leadership, leveraging his deep experience working with large pharma and venture-funded biotechnology companies.
Most recently, Dr. Poole led external investments in the Office of the President for Global Health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Prior to joining the Gates Foundation, Dr. Poole served as vice president and head of neuroscience innovation at AstraZeneca. He also specialized in neurodegenerative disease as chief medical officer for Link Medicine and Hypnion, and was vice president of neuroscience at Pfizer.
Dr. Poole earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley and his medical degree from the UC San Diego School of Medicine. He is board certified in internal medicine, having trained at Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester. He also is board-certified in adult neurology, completing his post-graduate training in neurology at the University of Michigan. In his free time, he can often be found sailing the waters of Puget Sound, enjoying the incredible scenery.
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LIZ BIRCH
INVESTMENT ASSOCIATE
Liz Birch is an Investment Associate in the Biomatics Boston office where she evaluates pipeline opportunities, undertakes due diligence on investment opportunities and supports portfolio companies. Liz was formerly a Consultant in the Life Sciences practice at L.E.K. Consulting in Boston, where she worked with biopharma clients on strategic and transactional engagements.
During her four years at LEK, she developed a range of skills including pricings strategies, financial modeling and business development working in oncology, rare diseases and diagnostics that she is now applying to the Biomatics portfolio.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Liz holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford, where she studied the pathology of fungal infection. Liz received a first class undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences, and was president of the Keble College Boat Club. Liz likes being active in her spare time – in the summer of 2016, she took three weeks off to hike 240 miles along the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
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LESLIE HEPNER
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Leslie Hepner is a Portfolio Manager at Biomatics where she manages portfolio reporting, pipeline development and financial operations. Leslie was formerly a Project Coordinator at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she coordinated the investment process for the Program Related Investments (PRI) team, the strategic investment arm of the foundation.
During her five years with the PRI team, Leslie enhanced a number of her skills including process, external partnership, and portfolio management that she is now bringing to the Biomatics team.
Leslie previously spent time with the Enterprise Partner Group at Microsoft providing sales support and industry analysis for clients across the world. She holds B.S. in business from Southern Oregon University. Leslie especially enjoys spending time in developing countries, and still likes to learn about international economics and development issues.
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YEON CRAMER
BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER
Yeon Cramer is the Business Operations Manager at Biomatics where she manages investor relations and business operations. Before joining Biomatics, Yeon spent six years at Bill Gates’ private office in Seattle (Gates Ventures) working with leaders in communications, energy, health and science on major projects.
Previously, she worked as a Research Assistant at Farallon Capital, a San Francisco-based hedge fund.
Yeon is a seasoned administrator with over 25 years of experience in startups, hedge funds, and traditional asset managers. Yeon has extensive experience developing employee events and company retreats, as well as tapping into her resources, experience and network to solve problems for Biomatics and its portfolio companies.
Outside of work, Yeon and her husband have one daughter. They enjoy adventurous travel and expanding their culinary creativity together.
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WILL MCCONNELL
INVESTMENT ANALYST
Will McConnell is an Investment Analyst in the Biomatics Boston office where he focuses on pipeline evaluation, diligence activities, and broader portfolio support. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in strategy consulting in L.E.K. Consulting’s Life Sciences practice in Boston, where he primarily focused on business development strategy and transactional support for a range of healthcare clients (discovery /clinical stage biotechs to large biopharmas).
Will holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College in Biology and Computer Science, where he was also a member of the Division I basketball team. In his free time, like all other members of the Biomatics team, the San Francisco-Bay Area native likes staying active. In addition, he enjoys spending time with family (Will has two brothers who both played college basketball as well), exploring New England, trying new restaurants, and traveling – he has backpacked through 20+ countries.
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STONE CONNELL
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Stone Connell serves as the Director of Finance for Biomatics where he will assist in managing the operational functions and financial strategy of the firm. Prior to joining Biomatics, Stone worked as an engagement manager with the fund administrator, Standish Management, serving clients across the private equity industry. He began his career with PwC as an auditor within the asset management line of service. At PwC he provided audit and consulting services to clients ranging from large hedge funds to local private equity managers in the Seattle market.
Stone is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (Accounting emphasis) as well as his Masters in Accountancy from the University of Washington – Seattle.
Outside of work, you’ll find Stone outdoors with his wife hiking, skiing, running or exploring new activities. He is also an avid sports fan and always enjoys going to a local team game.
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