Gretchen Argast
About Gretchen Argast
Gretchen Argast serves as the Director of Translational Medicine at Tenaya Therapeutics, bringing extensive experience in cancer biology and drug development. Her career includes roles at notable institutions and companies, where she has focused on translational research and clinical biomarkers.
Current Role at Tenaya Therapeutics
Gretchen Argast serves as the Director of Translational Medicine at Tenaya Therapeutics, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on advancing translational research initiatives that bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications. Her work involves developing strategies for drug development and identifying clinical biomarkers that can inform treatment decisions. Tenaya Therapeutics is located in South San Francisco, California, where Argast contributes her extensive expertise in cancer biology and signal transduction.
Previous Experience in Translational Medicine
Prior to her current role, Argast held several significant positions in the field of translational medicine. She was the Director of Translational Medicine at OncoMed Pharmaceuticals from 2017 to 2019 and served as the Associate Director of Translational Medicine at the same company from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, she worked as the Director of Translational Sciences at ESCAPE Bio for one year in 2020. Her previous roles have equipped her with a robust understanding of both large and small molecule drug development.
Research Background and Education
Gretchen Argast has a strong academic foundation in the biological sciences. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Chicago, where she studied from 1987 to 1991. She then pursued a PhD in Pathology at the University of Washington, completing her studies from 1996 to 2002. Her educational background supports her extensive experience in cancer biology and signal transduction, which are critical to her work in translational medicine.
Career Path and Previous Roles
Argast's career includes a variety of roles that have shaped her expertise in translational medicine. She began her career as a Research Technician at the University of Utah from 1991 to 1993, followed by a similar role at the University of Washington from 1993 to 1996. She later worked as a Research Investigator at OSI Pharmaceuticals from 2007 to 2013 and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Colorado Boulder from 2002 to 2007. These positions provided her with a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies and drug development processes.
Expertise in Drug Development and Leadership
Gretchen Argast possesses expertise in both large and small molecule drug development, with a specific focus on translational research and clinical biomarkers. Her strong leadership skills have been instrumental in guiding early and late-stage development projects. Argast's broad range of in vitro and in vivo experience enhances her ability to contribute to the advancement of innovative therapeutic strategies in the field of medicine.