Dr. Chad R. Jackson is a neuropharmacologist, entrepreneur, and science policy professional with over two decades of research and development experience. Dr. Jackson is a native of Xenia, Ohio and received his Ph.D. in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology from Emory University (Atlanta, GA) and a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Earlham College (Richmond, IN).
Dr. Jackson is currently the Director of the Preclinical Translational Research program at the Foundation Fighting Blindness. This program accelerates the movement of preclinical research toward clinical use through proactive management and industry level advising, to ultimately drive the research that will lead to preventions, treatments, and vision restoration for degenerative retinal diseases.
Before joining the Foundation, Dr. Jackson served at the pleasure of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the Biological Technologies Office, the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Basic Research Office, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency leading strategy development, communications, and planning of their R&D portfolios. He also worked in foreign affairs with the Science and Technology Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State to foster relationships between governments, the private sector, universities, and foundations to advance science diplomacy with non-traditional allies during the Obama Administration.
He enjoys shaping emerging life science technologies toward addressing national security and global health challenges. Dr. Jackson is passionate about working across scientific enterprises including government funding agencies, private industries and foundations, and international organizations to bring novel solutions to the most prevalent issues facing the world.