Dana Watt

Dana holds a PhD in cellular and molecular neurosciences from Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied mechanisms of axon development and regeneration. While in graduate school, she was an active participant in the BALSA student consulting group and a leader of the BioEntrepreneurship Core. She completed her undergraduate studies at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI.

Dana is an Investment Associate at Ascension Ventures, a strategic investment firm that focuses on healthcare services, healthcare IT, and life sciences, particularly medical devices and diagnostics. Ascension Ventures invests on behalf of 12 not-for-profit healthcare systems, and adds strategic value by connecting these providers to value-add portfolio companies. As an Investment Associate, Dana helps identify and diligence deals, and supports portfolio companies. 

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Previously, Dana worked in technology transfer and entrepreneurship functions at Washington University in St. Louis. There, she helped students and faculty commercialize university-owned technologies, and was integral to the university's effort to establish an institutional support system for SBIR/STTR applications. While at Washington University, Dana co-founded a molecular diagnostics startup, which was developing a precision medicine screen for complications associated with autoimmune diseases.

Dana is serving her fellowship under mentor Tara Butler MD, Managing Director at Ascension Ventures. She is a member of Class 24.