Leadership Type: Administrative

Angelica Rocha serves as director of graduate school administration and institutional research at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Sanford Burnham Prebys, where she leads graduate school administration, institutional research and strategic data initiatives that support student success, curriculum development, program evaluation and evidence-based improvement.

Angelica earned a PhD in psychology (behavioral neuroscience) from Texas A&M University and completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. Prior to joining Sanford Burnham Prebys, she served on the faculty at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California and later as associate dean of student affairs at California State University San Marcos in the office now known as the Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence.

Janelle Nelson serves as Director of Philanthropy at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, where she focuses on major gifts and special projects in support of the Institute’s research priorities and strategic goals.

Janelle has worked in philanthropy for more than 25 years, with an emphasis on individual giving, donor engagement, and relationship-driven fundraising. Prior to joining Sanford Burnham Prebys, she held positions at the American Heart Association, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Santa Fe Christian Schools.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Arizona State University.

 Amy Marone provies oversight to accounting operations, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, audits, and internal controls. She partners closely with the leadership team to support accounting and business policy development, financial planning, and systems development.

Amy has over 20 years of accounting experience, including 12 years in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Sanford Burnham Prebys, she served as Accounting Director at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from National University.

Luke Dumas serves as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, overseeing the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of philanthropic funding from grantmaking foundations and corporations.

He has more than 13 years’ experience in philanthropy with a focus on institutional giving, grant writing, and philanthropic communications. Prior to joining Sanford Burnham Prebys, he worked on major campaigns with the East Coast Zoological Foundation and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and has held positions at Serving Seniors and National University.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English language and literature from the University of Chicago and a Master of Science in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh.

Liz Hincks is Director of Communications, overseeing strategic messaging, content development, social media strategy, media relations, video production, website management and collaborations with Philanthropy.

Her role focuses on guiding communication initiatives that enhance the institute’s reputation and engaging diverse audiences through innovative digital and print campaigns.

Prior to joining Sanford Burnham Prebys, Liz worked in communications and marketing with a focus on graphic and digital communications and held positions at the Salk Institute and Tufts University.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Boston University.

David Williams is the Director of Procurement , Materials Operations and Procurement Systems for Sanford Burnham Prebys. He has 29 years of supply chain and global logistics experience, joining Sanford Burnham Prebys in 2021.

His department supports diagnostic testing, manufacturing of medical products and medical devices, biologic processing, contract development and manufacturing organization and oversees the institute’s procurement activities of purchase materials, equipment and services.

Prior to Sanford Burnham Prebys, David worked as a senior director/director supply chain at Abenza San Diego & Bristol, PA; Vital Therapies; and Prometheus Laboratories (Nestle’).

Melissa serves as the Director of Philanthropy Operations for Sanford Burnham Prebys. She oversees the areas of revenue strategy, analytics, database optimization, moves management, pipeline development, reporting, donor research and annual fund.

Melissa has worked in philanthropy for more than 13 years, with a focus on operations and annual fund. Prior to joining Sanford Burnham Prebys, she held positions at San Diego Jewish Academy, California Western School of Law and National University.

She holds a Bachelor of Art degree from the University of California, Irvine and a Master of Business Administration degree from National University.

John Reed is the Director of Facilities since 2018 and has been a member of the Sanford Burnham Prebys Facilities management team since 2005. He oversees facilities operations, including capital planning, major renovation, new construction and deferred maintenance projects, work requests, preventive maintenance, janitorial and security projects.

Prior to joining Sanford Burnham Prebys, John worked for Weather Engineering, honing his expertise in HVAC design, repair and controls.

John retains certifications in HVAC Systems Design and Controls (associate degree in HVAC 1996, UCSD extension certification 2010) and is a certified LEED Accredited Professional (2009).

Jennifer Ramil, M.B.A., serves as the Director of Environmental Health & Safety. She joined Sanford Burnham Prebys in 2024.

Previously, Jennifer was Research Safety Services Manager at San Diego State University, where she oversaw and harmonized multiple safety programs (biosafety, chemical hygiene, radiation and field safety) and implemented new, high-impact, multi-phased software programs used by more than 300 labs and 1,200 researchers.

Jennifer has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from SDSU and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.

She is a registered Biosafety Professional with ABSA International (Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity) and a certified Project Management Professional.