AUGUST 15, 2023 [Washington, D.C.] – The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Salvatore (Salvo) Alesci, M.D., Ph.D.  as the Senior Vice President of the Center for Clinical and Social Research. In this leadership role, Dr. Alesci will spearhead the organization’s efforts to advance health equity, improve healthcare outcomes, and drive research initiatives that address the disparities faced by minority populations.

Dr. Alesci is a physician-scientist and healthcare executive with over two decades of working experience spanning multiple leadership roles in the government research and biopharmaceutical sectors. His expertise in R&D strategy and translational medicine have been applied to multiple therapy areas and drug pipelines. With a track record of groundbreaking work in medical research, health policy, and patient advocacy, a profound understanding of the intersection of clinical and social determinants of health, and a passion for addressing health disparities, Dr. Alesci is uniquely poised to lead NMQF’s efforts in fostering innovative research to promote health equity. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Salvatore Alesci to the National Minority Quality Forum as our Senior Vice President of the Center for Clinical and Social Research,” said Gary A. Puckrein, President and CEO of NMQF. “His commitment to advancing health equity aligns perfectly with our mission, and his leadership will undoubtedly drive the transformative change needed to address the health disparities that disproportionately affect minority communities.”

Dr. Alesci received his M.D. (cum laude) and a Ph.D. in Experimental Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences from University of Messina, School of Medicine (Italy). After his post-graduate training, Dr. Alesci spent almost a decade conducting cutting-edge basic and translational research on the interplay between the neuroendocrine and immune systems at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Alesci left the NIH to join the biopharmaceutical industry in 2006, serving in a number of Translational Medicine leadership roles at Wyeth, Pfizer and Merck. and leading efforts to “de-risk” several drug candidates as they progressed through the pipeline. In 2011, Dr. Alesci joined PhRMA as Vice President, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs to lead the association’s science advocacy and engagement efforts, serving as chief scientific and medical expert for input on biomedical policy issues. In 2015, Dr. Alesci joined Takeda, where his last appointment was Head, R&D Global Patient and Scientific Affairs. During his tenure, he enabled Takeda to more effectively partner with patients and their organizations throughout the drug life-cycle, ensuring early and continued access to investigational medicines.

More recently, Dr. Alesci has served as Chief Scientist and Strategy Officer and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council at Beyond Celiac, the leading research-driven patient advocacy organization focused on accelerating discovery and development of treatments for Celiac disease.

“It is with great responsibility and enthusiasm that I assume the role of SVP, Center of Clinical and Social Research at NMQF, an organization I’ve proudly collaborated with for over a decade. Our shared journey has only strengthened my personal and professional commitment to advance health equity and spotlight the disparities faced by minority communities. The value of diversity in research and clinical trials cannot be overstated. Drawing from our past collaborations and the expertise of the NMQF team, I am eager to drive initiatives that will bring about lasting improvements in healthcare for all.”

In his new role, Dr. Alesci will be responsible for leading development and implementation of a strategic and operational plan for the Center for Clinical and Social Research. Working collaboratively with NMQF cross-functional teams, Dr. Alesci will establish and maintain a clinical research network consisting of minority-serving community clinicians, oversee development of research grants and sponsorships, and coordinate research-based projects. As a member of NMQF executive team, Dr. Alesci will liaise with private organizations and public agencies to advance the research and government relations/public policy objectives of the organization. In particular, he will lead collaborative activities to raise public awareness on the value of diversity in research and clinical trials.

His leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s research agenda, fostering collaborations with stakeholders, and advocating for policies that address the unique healthcare challenges faced by minority populations.

The National Minority Quality Forum is confident that under Dr. Alesci’s guidance, the Center for Clinical and Social Research will continue to make impactful contributions to the field of healthcare research and drive positive change for underserved communities.

For more information please visit www.nmqf.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Adjoa Kyerematen
akyerematen@nmqf.org
202-220-8505