Meet the Team

Zehra Ansari is a Senior Project Manager of Life Sciences and Healthcare at NYCEDC. In her role, Zehra manages an early-stage investment fund for emerging life sciences companies, and enables investor engagement & business development across NYC's growing life sciences ecosystem. Prior to joining NYCEDC, Zehra worked on business strategy and operations at an early-stage biotechnology company, on foreign and domestic policy for senior decision-makers at the United Nations and the White House, and operated a jazz club in downtown New York. Zehra earned her Bachelor's degree in Government and Art History from Smith College.

Mikko Baylosis is an Assistant Vice President of the Life Sciences and Healthcare Initiatives portfolio at NYCEDC. In this role, Mikko has managed NYCEDC’s digital health portfolio, developed the Life Sciences Internship Program, coordinated interdisciplinary projects such as the Pandemic Response Institute and the SPARC Kips Bay campus, and sourced PPE during New York City’s COVID-19 response. Prior to his role in NYCEDC, Mikko supported the business and product development for a biotech startup. Mikko holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering from the City College of New York. Within the team, Mikko currently leads in managing the LifeSci NYC Internship Program, the life sciences development activities in the Kips Bay neighborhood (including SPARC Kips Bay and the 455 First Ave. project) and identifying ecosystem development activities.

Valicia Browne is a Project Manager for the Life Sciences and Healthcare team at NYCEDC. In this role, Valicia manages internal and external communications, and manages the Life Sciences asset map and events calendar. She also provides research and support on various workforce development and entrepreneurship initiatives. Valicia earned her BA degrees in Medicine, Health, & Society, and Theatre from Vanderbilt University.

James Gibaldi is a Vice President of Life Sciences and Healthcare for NYCEDC. In his role, James supports a portfolio of strategies creating innovation infrastructure for the growing ecosystem of life sciences in New York. James joined NYCEDC from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, where he managed clinical operations, grant agreements, and industry partnerships for the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), a $450M global clinical biomarker study. Before MJFF, James was at the NYC Mayor’s Office, successfully partnering with companies and nonprofits to deliver mental health workshops and trainings. He has conducted research within Weill Cornell’s Department of Neurological Surgery, and his work on somatization in concussion was published. Through Cornell, he also supported neuropsychological concussion assessments for the NY Jets and NY Islanders. James earned an MS in Neuroscience from Columbia University and a BA in Psychology from The George Washington University.

Kyle Kaniecki, PhD, is a Vice President of Life Sciences and Healthcare at NYCEDC, where he leads efforts in supporting translational R&D to accelerate startup formation, IP creation, and job growth. Before joining NYCEDC, Kyle was Director of Operations for Perception Neuroscience, a VC-backed neuropharmacology company where he led preclinical development. He spent years at Columbia Technology Ventures supporting licensing activities and startups coming from Columbia University, and led the development of the companion diagnostic for the blockbuster drug, Kalydeco. Kyle earned his PhD in Genetics & Development from Columbia University, his MS in Biotechnology from the Johns Hopkins University, and his BS in Zoology from UW-Madison.

Monica Malowney, MPH, is a Vice President for NYCEDC’s Life Sciences and Healthcare initiative, where she leads LifeSci NYC’s workforce development strategy to create a robust and diverse talent pipeline for NYC’s growing life sciences industry. Monica also provides oversight for the NYC Pandemic Response Institute. Monica joined NYCEDC from CUNY where she worked to connect employers and industry partners in the health and life sciences to the University and its 500,000+ students. Prior to this, Monica spent over a decade working in healthcare delivery research, redesign and reform, publishing research on behavioral health access and training of healthcare professionals. She earned her Master's in Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health and Bachelor's in Clinical Psychology from Tufts University.

Viq Pervaaz is the Senior Vice President, Life Sciences & Healthcare at NYCEDC. Viq leads the Life Sciences and Healthcare team and strategy, spearheading the City’s $1B+ LifeSci NYC initiative to create jobs and establish New York City as a global leader in life sciences. Bringing extensive leadership in global market expansion, corporate strategy, and financial governance, Viq is leading the LifeSci NYC initiative into its next chapter. His diverse background includes guiding strategic acquisitions, driving organizational transformation, and pioneering health equity and sustainability. Prior to joining NYCEDC, he held executive level roles in the biopharma, clinical, and consulting industries. He recently completed and published a thesis, “Authenticity in the Workplace: What Does it Really Mean?”. Viq holds a Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy, an MS in Management from MIT Sloan, and he completed an AMP at Harvard Business School.

Kidd Duhe Solomon, MPH, is an Assistant Vice President for Life Sciences and Healthcare at NYCEDC. At NYCEDC, Kidd manages the planetary health portfolio focused on using biotechnology to address climate change, while making NYC a leader in the expanding bioeconomy. Prior to joining NYCEDC, Kidd worked in Washington, D.C. for the Aspen Institute, where he focused on increasing the impact of global social ventures with Fellows of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and the U.S. State Department, where he worked on a micro-entrepreneurship campaign to increase protections for entrepreneurs in the global south. Kidd earned his M.P.H. from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and his B.A. in International Relations from Tulane University.

Justina Torres, MPP, is the Assistant Vice President of Operations on the Life Sciences and Healthcare team at NYCEDC. In her role, Justina leads business development and external engagements efforts, positioning New York City as a global leader in life sciences. Prior to joining the team, Justina worked as an analyst in the public and private sectors, in areas spanning financial technology, capital markets, City budget and policy. Justina also served as an AmeriCorps member, supporting undocumented and first-generation students of color. Justina holds a Master of Public Policy from The Johns Hopkins University, with a focus in policies affecting the health and wellbeing of AI/AN women and girls, and a B.A. in History and Political Sciences from Rutgers University.