David D. O’Keefe, PhD, is vice president of research development, joining Sanford Burnham Prebys in December 2024.
O’Keefe duties include working with scientists to maximize research funding and increase research capacity at the institute by nurturing a culture of grant writing and collaboration.
He oversees a team responsible for advancing the institute’s mission by identifying research trends, developing diverse and sustainable funding strategies, and helping faculty craft compelling grant proposals.
In addition, he spearheads development of large, complex projects and manages proposals for scientific efforts that span disciplines, including the institute’s four disease-focused centers and two enabling technology centers.
He also provides guidance and hands-on mentorship to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at Sanford Burnham Prebys as they begin to secure funding for their own training and research.
Previous to Sanford Burnham Prebys, O’Keefe served as senior director of research development at the Salk Institute in La Jolla and did his postdoctoral work at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
O’Keefe received his doctorate in neurosciences from the University of California San Diego and Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Stanford University.