Michael Ehlers
About Michael Ehlers
Michael Ehlers is the Chief Scientific Officer and a venture partner at Apple Tree Partners, with a distinguished background in neuroscience research and pharmaceutical leadership.
Apple Tree Partners
Michael Ehlers is currently the Chief Scientific Officer and a venture partner at Apple Tree Partners, a life sciences venture capital firm. In this role, Ehlers oversees scientific strategy and investment opportunities within the life sciences domain. Apple Tree Partners is known for investing in transformative biotech and pharmaceutical companies, leveraging Ehlers' extensive background in scientific research and development to guide their portfolio.
Executive Vice President at Biogen
Michael Ehlers served as the Executive Vice President for Research and Development at Biogen. During his tenure, he was responsible for steering the company's R&D strategy, focusing on innovative therapies for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. His leadership at Biogen marked a period of significant scientific advancement and strategic growth in the company's research initiatives.
Chief Scientific Officer for Neuroscience at Pfizer
Before joining Biogen, Michael Ehlers was the Chief Scientific Officer for Neuroscience at Pfizer. In this role, Ehlers led the company's neuroscience research unit, directing efforts to develop new treatments for neurological disorders. His work at Pfizer emphasized the importance of groundbreaking neuroscientific research in the pursuit of novel therapeutic solutions.
Academic Role at Duke University Medical Center
Prior to his industry roles, Michael Ehlers was the George Barth Geller Professor of Neurobiology and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Duke University Medical Center. His academic research concentrated on neuronal organelles and the trafficking of neurotransmitter receptors, notably the AMPA receptor. Ehlers' work at Duke contributed significantly to the understanding of synaptic function and plasticity.
Education and Academic Credentials
Michael Ehlers holds a BS in chemistry from Caltech, earned in 1991. He also obtained an MD and a PhD in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he conducted research under the mentorship of Richard L. Huganir. Ehlers' academic training laid a strong foundation for his subsequent contributions to the fields of neurobiology and pharmaceutical research.