Leona M. Flores, PhD, has been named vice president of research operations at Sanford Burnham Prebys. She will elevate the research capacity of the institute by working with faculty and other scientists to ensure successful execution of research projects and reducing the increasingly complex administrative burden of research.
She officially joined Sanford Burnham Prebys January 6, 2025.
“I was drawn to Sanford Burnham Prebys because of the compelling vision Dr. Brenner has set forth for strengthening our research enterprise,” said Flores. “I’m excited by the opportunity to work alongside dedicated and talented colleagues in advancing this vital mission.”
Flores will oversee a team responsible for advancing the institute’s mission by providing professional project management techniques, administrative support and research resources to Sanford Burnham Prebys laboratories. Her initial focus will be ensuring the successful renewal of the Institute’s National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, now in its 43rd year.
“Modern science requires teams of researchers addressing questions from different disciplines using multiple techniques that generate huge data sets,” said Kurt Marek, PhD, chief research development officer at Sanford Burnham Prebys.
“Managing such teams and projects requires someone with professional project management skills in addition to advanced scientific training. Leona is that rare individual who possesses both.”
Flores will also provide support to the nearly one dozen new assistant professors recruited to Sanford Burnham Prebys over the past 18 months, thanks to a transformational gift from philanthropist T. Denny Sanford. Her aid will help them focus on their science and careers instead of administration.
Flores comes to Sanford Burnham Prebys from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies where she served as executive director and deputy director for research administration, overseeing strategic initiatives and research programs at Salk’s National Cancer Institute-designated basic research cancer center and inter-institutional research collaborations.
Prior to Salk, Flores was director of research development at San Diego State University Foundation (2018-20) and director of research development and collaboration for UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center (2012-18).
She was also associate editor of the Cancer Prevention Research Journal, published by the American Association for Cancer Research, from 2012 through 2018.
Flores received her Bachelor of Sciences degree in architectural engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and a Bachelor of Sciences degree in biomedical sciences from California State University Fullerton.
She earned a doctorate in biomedical sciences at UC San Diego and trained as a postdoctoral fellow at UC San Diego’s Institute of Engineering in Medicine under Shu Chien, MD, PhD.