Mark Zervas

Consultant May 2025 -

Zervas Scientific Consulting

Experienced scientist with deep scientific leadership background in academia, industry, and nonprofit sectors. Leading efforts have primarily been in advancing discovery and preclinical science to facilitate understanding and designing therapies for CNS disorders. Previously developed a therapy to treat a rare neurological disorder (Niemann-Pick Disease Type C, NPC). Developed novel murine model of Tuberous Sclerosis encapsulating features of somatic mosaicism and aberrant morphological, electrophysiological, and neural circuitry features. Most recently, developed a novel strategy to identify putative drug targets for PTSD and a platform for interrogating how blast related injuries affect the blood brain barrier and neural circuits. Currently utilizing my background and skills as a Life Sciences Consultant to fascinate organizations in their interest in understanding complex disorders and developing treatments to ameliorate cellular phenotypes underpinning disorders.

Group Leader Jan 2023 - May 2024

Cohen Veterans Bioscience

Led discovery and preclinical cross-disciplinary research teams, which advanced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) research projects. Project 1 produced novel strategy to identify targets and ascertain neuronal phenotypes underpinning PTSD: Established and led collaboration to validate targets with iPSC-derived neurons for PTSD therapeutic development. Project 2 yielded a novel BBB-TBI screening platform I designed: Established and led international collaboration to build / validate platform to uncover mechanisms of TBI. Four Significant Advances were:

1. Originated strategy using human transcriptomics, which identified and prioritized 20 novel PTSD drug targets.

2. Developed approach and procured funds to conduct PTSD target validation and understand disease biology.

3. Created research plan to conduct discovery studies using human iPSC derived blood-brain barrier (BBB) and technological modalities including:
   -Integrating BBB cells, neural circuitry, and blast mechanism into a multilayer platform.
   -Controlling TBI severity, quantifying disease phenotypes and biomarkers, and testing putative therapeutics.

4. Developed Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias-TBI project to interrogate link between TBI and AD.

Deputy Director, Translational Research and Development Jan 2021 - Jan 2023

Cohen Veterans Bioscience

Provided oversight and strategic guidance to lead translational research team, which bridged discovery science and clinical research for complex CNS (psychiatric) indications including PTSD as well as TBI. Three Significant Advances were:

1. Led programs including grant distribution and management to advance PTSD and TBI portfolios.

2. Oversaw critical assessment of in vivo PTSD models, which resulted in determination to cease model use.

3. Developed and led discovery PTSD studies using human iPSC-derived neuronal and computational models.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Field of study: Neuroscience
Degree: Ph.D.

Conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments to explore the role of GM2 ganglioside in establishing pyramidal neuron basilar dendrites. Also interrogated the role of GM2 in ectopic dendritic growth in Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC), which led to the development of the gangioside synthesis inhibitor, Miglustat for the treatment of NPC.