Melissa McCracken

Melissa holds a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology from University of California, Davis, and a Ph.D. in molecular and medical pharmacology from University of California, Los Angeles where her research focused on engineered immunity for cancer. Melissa also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University where her research focused on immuno-oncology.

Melissa is a Principal at Nextech Invest Ltd., a global, cancer therapeutics-focused venture capital firm headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Melissa is a scientist by training with a passion for emerging technologies in cancer therapies. At Nextech, Melissa performs sourcing and due diligence on new investment opportunities and helps to support our current portfolio companies. Currently, Melissa is a board member of ImaginAb and a board observer of Silverback Therapeutics. 

​

Prior to Nextech, Melissa was a senior associate at Third Rock Ventures focusing on scientific due diligence, partnership development and new company formation in oncology and immunology. Melissa helped build and launch Celsius Therapeutics, a company focused on discovering precision therapeutics for oncology and autoimmune. Melissa has also worked within larger biotech organizations completing multiple internships in research and development at Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN).

As a member of Class 25, Melissa is serving her fellowship at Nextech Invest under the mentorship of Thilo Schroeder.