Biomarkers Consortium:
Our Team

In her role, Melissa oversees the projects under the Metabolic Disorders Biomarkers Consortium (MDSC) portfolio including biomarker qualification efforts in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), bone quality, heart failure, preeclampsia, and emerging programs in obesity, pulmonary hypertension, maternal health and digital health technologies. She has significant experience managing diverse Life Sciences initiatives supporting a wide range of stakeholders across industry, government, academia and private sector. Prior to joining the FNIH, she was Program Manager for the Laboratories Canada Initiative at Merrick & Company, where she facilitated the functional programming and design efforts for biocontainment laboratories in the greater Ottawa Ontario area. During her diverse career she has managed biomedical research programs, clinical trials and studies, and biosurveillance programs. She holds an MS in Biology from East Carolina University, and a PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She completed her post-doctoral training at the University of Ottawa, Ontario in Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

Rohini Khillan is Program Manager for Neuroscience at the FNIH. She manages the Biomarkers Consortium Neuroscience Steering Committee (NSC) and supports projects in development within the NSC. She joined FNIH after five years at AARP, where she developed a strategic plan to coordinate internal efforts across the AARP national and state offices to educate the public about brain health and slowing cognitive decline, and to build a collaborative for organization to partner with external stakeholders across multiple sectors to advance consumer-facing brain health information and action.

Previously, Rohini worked for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), focusing primarily on dementia and aging policy. She served as the Designated Federal Officer for the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, coordinating the federal government’s work on dementia across biomedical research, clinical care, and long-term services and supports, advising HHS and Congress on how best to address the needs of those living with the disease and their families. Rohini has a Master of Public Health degree in Health Policy from the Mailman School at Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College.

Beth Kohl is a Program Manager in Inflammation & Immunity with over 17 years of clinical trial program experience and client-based project management experience. She is knowledgeable in the therapeutic areas of Dermatology, Rheumatology, Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Internal Medicine, and Digestive Disorders.

Beth currently leads the Inflammation and Immunity Steering Committee (IISC) , providing oversight on several public-private partnership projects in Translational Science, and providing guidance and support to the other Project Managers on her team.

Beth has previously worked on interventional and non-interventional clinical trials for several large healthcare systems. She has worked closely with key stakeholders including pharmaceutical managers, scientific leaders and physicians in immunology, and patient advocacy organizations. In her previous role, Beth managed several patient councils (focus groups) in Immunology and Oncology.

Beth earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of South Florida and a Master of Science in Biomedical Studies from Baylor University. She also holds professional certifications in both Clinical Research (CCRP) and Project Management (PMP).

Althea Lang is a Senior Project Manager for Cancer Research Partnerships at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Lang manages the Biomarkers Consortium Cancer Steering Committee (CSC) and supports projects in development within the CSC.

Prior to joining FNIH, Dr. Lang was Chief of Staff for Materials Science Research at DuPont and Assistant Director of Education Programs at the American Institute of Physics. Dr. Lang earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Chemistry developing inhibitors of HIV-1, and served as a Technology Transfer Fellow at the Penn Center for Innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Swarthmore College.