Vidula Dixit Duarte, Ph.D.
About Vidula Dixit Duarte, Ph.D.
Vidula Dixit Duarte, Ph.D., serves as the Director of Portfolio & Program Management at Erasca, Inc., where she has worked since 2021. With over two decades of experience in the biotechnology industry, she has held various roles in program management and scientific research across multiple organizations.
Current Role at Erasca
Vidula Dixit Duarte, Ph.D., serves as the Director of Portfolio & Program Management at Erasca, Inc. since 2021. In this role, she oversees complex projects and leads cross-functional teams through various stages of drug development. Her extensive experience in program management enables her to effectively manage portfolios and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Previous Experience in Biotechnology
Prior to her current position, Duarte held several roles at Nektar Therapeutics from 2008 to 2017, where she progressed from Scientist to Senior Scientist. She later served as Associate Director of Program Management at Nektar from 2019 to 2020. Additionally, she briefly worked as Director of Project Management at Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2020 and as Associate Director at Catalyst Biosciences for six months in 2021.
Educational Background
Duarte earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Microbiology from the University of Mumbai, completing her studies from 1996 to 2001. She also holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Microbiology and Immunology from the same institution, obtained from 1985 to 1990. Furthermore, she studied Sitar at Sangeet Mahabharati, achieving a diploma in Indian Classical Music from 1989 to 2000. She has also pursued a certificate in Digital Photography at UC Berkeley Extension since 2015.
Research and Academic Experience
Duarte has a robust academic background, including postdoctoral research positions at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from 2001 to 2004 and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2004 to 2008. She began her career as a Research Assistant at Hoechst in Mumbai, India, where she worked from 1990 to 2001. This extensive research experience has contributed to her strong technical background in biotechnology.
Expertise in Drug Development
With over two decades in the biotechnology industry, Duarte possesses a unique combination of scientific research experience and program management skills. Her expertise includes leading cross-functional teams from early preclinical to late-stage clinical development, which supports her role in overseeing complex projects at Erasca, Inc.