Following the announcement of Keith Gary stepping down as BioNexus KC’s vice president in 2021, the life sciences nonprofit launched a nationwide search for his replacement.
On Tuesday, BioNexus CEO Dennis Ridenour announced the selection of Daniel Kennedy, a Kansas City native well-versed in the research community in the region, as the organization’s next vice president.
“His background and expertise in both research and product development positions BioNexus KC for long-term success in strengthening the research infrastructure in the region and helping researchers translate their work into treatments that benefit all Kansas Citians,” Ridenour said in a release.
Most recently, Kennedy worked for Lenexa-based private research facility Novation iQ as a research and development director. There, he translated research concepts into assets for a number of fields. He holds a master’s degree in neuroscience and biomedical engineering from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Purdue University. His background includes robotics, neuropharmacology, curriculum development and FDA approval processes.
As vice president at BioNexus, according to the release, will further the organization’s collaboration and research funding opportunities, ultimately increasing the pipeline of life sciences researchers and entrepreneurs through relationships with educational institutions.
From 2002 to 2018, BioNexus KC, a regional organization promoting human and animal health efforts, managed 108 grants totaling $5 million. For every $1 invested in grants, $11.70 on average has been returned to the region from follow-on funding from federal sources, according to its website.
