Meet the minds behind SAGE® Labs.

SAGE Labs was created by researchers. It’s run by researchers. Our team understands the science and business of drug discovery and research model production. And we’re perfectly equipped to support you in this new era of biomedical innovation.

David Smoller, PhD
Chief Executive Officer

Dr. David Smoller leads the company in partnership with its strong management team. Previously, Dr. Smoller was Chief Scientific Officer for Sigma-Aldrich.

At Sigma, Dr. Smoller had numerous roles, including heading up both R&D and operations for the Research Biotech Business Unit, and acting as President after being promoted in 2007. Before joining Sigma, Dr. Smoller also served as President of ProteoPlex, a seed stage spinout focusing on proteomics, and founded Genome Systems Inc., which gave the scientific community access to genome project-related technologies.

David earned a doctorate degree in Molecular Biology and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He also completed postdoctoral fellowships at Washington University in St. Louis Missouri, and at Monsanto Corporation.

Edward Weinstein, PhD
President

Dr. Edward Weinstein is the current President of SAGE Labs. Prior to his current assignment, he managed scientific operations for the cutting-edge RNAi business within Sigma-Aldrich®.

Before joining Sigma-Aldrich in 2005, Weinstein managed the Molecular Profiling portfolio within Merck & Company’s Oncology franchise. His pharmaceutical research experience also includes a Senior Scientist position at Pfizer, Inc.

Edward received his master’s in medical science from Harvard Medical School and his doctorate in genetics from Harvard University, where he developed numerous mouse models of mammary gland carcinoma.

Phil Simmons, MBA
Vice President of Marketing and Business Development

Phil Simmons leads the marketing and business development functions for SAGE Labs. Before joining SAGE Labs in 2008, Phil was responsible for the launch and commercialization of the ZFN technology platform, the basis for SAGE Labs’ genetic engineering program.

Simmons’ previous experience includes Product Management and Business Development roles at Incyte Genomics and Xenogen Biosciences (now Caliper Life Sciences), where he was instrumental in expanding both companies’ business in the transgenics services sector.

Phil holds a bachelor’s in biochemistry from the University of Missouri and a master’s in business administration from Webster University in St. Louis, MO.

Deb Knoerzer, MS
Chief Operating Officer

Deb Knoerzer leads a large and diverse group of scientists and specialists in the areas of animal model generation, colony production, facility management, health and genetic monitoring and the SAGE core analysis team.

Deb joined SAGE Labs in July 2011 after 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry working for companies such as Pharmacia and Pfizer. In those years, Deb has led numerous pharmacology groups and project teams in a variety of therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular, inflammation and ophthalmology. She also has served as chair of site and global IACUCs for over 12 years.

Deb holds a Bachelor’s in Biology from Illinois State University and a Master’s in Biology from Washington University.

Xiaoxia Cui, PhD
Vice President of Research and Development

Dr. Xiaoxia Cui joined SAGE Labs in 2009 and manages a dedicated team of specialists focused on creating and producing next-generation transgenic research models using ZFN and RNAi technologies.

Prior to joining SAGE Labs, Cui spent four years in R&D developing gene targeting tools using group II introns and zinc finger nucleases. Her research background is in protein/RNA interactions in group II intron splicing and mobility.

Cui earned her master’s in basic medical sciences from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, followed by a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Texas in Austin.

Ken Boschert, DVM
Consulting Veterinarian

Ken Boschert, DVM, DACLAM is the Associate Director of the Division of Comparative Medicine and a Research Assistant Professor of Medicine at Washington University. He is the attending veterinarian for transgenic rodent and biohazard facilities. Ken has 25 years of experience in laboratory animal medicine. He is a member of and/or holds committee appointments in AALAS, ACLAM, ASLAP, MVMA, and AVMA.

In addition to his impressive portfolio of published works, Ken also created NetVet Veterinary Resources, the Electronic Zoo and Compmed, among many other distinguished online contributions. Most recently, he wrote the laboratory rodent chapter for the Merck Veterinary Manual.

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