Danielle Friend joined the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) as a Director of Science and Regulatory Affairs in 2017. In this role, Dr. Friend develops and advocates for policies that support the development of innovative therapies. Her portfolio includes work on issues pertaining to rare diseases and orphan drugs, pediatric drug development, and PDUFA and 21st Century Cures Act implementation, including patient-focused drug development and she leads BIO’s work related to the current opioid crisis. Prior to joining BIO Dr. Friend was selected as a Science and Technology Policy Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). During her fellowship Danielle developed policies related to genomic and scientific data sharing within the Office of the Director, in the Office of Science Policy at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Danielle Friend received her Ph.D. in neuroscience in 2013 from the University of Utah. After completing her graduate work, Danielle conducted postdoctoral research at the NIH. Dr. Friend has published papers in peer-reviewed science journals on drug addiction and toxicity and the relationship between obesity and reward circuitry in the brain.
