In this online session, the leadership of Cures Within Reach (a Chicago-based philanthropic leader in leveraging the speed, safety and cost-effectiveness of medical repurposing research) will provide an update of the many fast-tracked clinical trials using repurposed drugs to treat COVID-19 patients as well as more about its work to find treatments for infectious diseases and other unmet medical needs – before an outbreak occurs.

Barbara Goodman leads Cures Within Reach and its mission of driving more treatments to more patients more quickly through medical repurposing research. She joined in 2017 to help expand the reach and influence of CWR in both the philanthropic and commercial spaces, as well as to foster organizational growth and financial sustainability.

Barbara has nearly 25 years of international business and healthcare / biomedical / life sciences sector business experience, focused on planning and implementation of strategic growth initiatives at both for-profit and not-for-profit corporations. She joined CWR after leading iBIO Institute’s PROPEL Center for 10 years, where she led programs to increase the number and success rate of early-stage life sciences companies in Illinois, and supported iBIO’s international activities. Barbara previously worked in corporate strategy and business development at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab), Cardinal Health Medical Products & Services Division, and Chesapeake Corporation.

Barbara earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s of Business Administration from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Clare Thibodeaux, PhD is the Director of Scientific Affairs with Cures Within Reach, working with repurposing stakeholders to catalyze repurposing research opportunities. Clare joined the Cures Within Reach team in November 2015 with over 10 years of experience in cancer research and cancer philanthropy. Clare is responsible for managing Cures Within Reach’s scientific grant outreach and review process, building partnerships with academic institutions, foundations and nonprofits, managing the Science Advisory Board and implementing new scientific initiatives at Cures Within Reach. Clare is also significantly involved with organizing and planning Cures Within Reach meetings and fundraising events. Clare has conducted original scientific research, advocated with state and federal elected officials concerning cancer related issues, and engaged the general public through community outreach. She also has led various committees and boards through her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society. Prior to her involvement in the biomedical field, Clare was a market research professional. She holds a PhD in Tumor Biology from Georgetown University and an MBA from George Mason University.