About Cern
Science-driven innovation for
women's health.
Cern Corporation is a women’s health medical device company developing a safe,
effective, low-level visible-light spectrum (non-UV), non-hormonal platform for both
yeast and bacterial vaginal infections. We integrate microbicidal light, microbiology,
clinical medicine, and device engineering to build non-drug alternatives where none
currently exist.
About Cern
To develop clinically rigorous, light- based medical technologies that provide women a safe, effective, non- drug alternative for yeast & bacterial vaginal infections.
Vision
To establish microbicidal light based treatment as a significant new standard of care in vaginal health and build the defining platform company in this emerging category.
Leadership Team
Science built for women.
Cern was founded with a singular purpose: to build a safe, effective, non-drug alternative for the
millions of women failed by current vaginal infection treatments. The development that has taken
Cern from concept to IRB-approved human clinical evaluation is driven by a core team of
accomplished women researchers, clinicians, and engineers.
Melanie Santos, MD,
FACOG, FPMRS
Chief Medical Officer
Urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery specialist with 17+ years of clinical experience… Read More
Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery specialist with over 17 years of experience. Dr. Santos is Medical Director of Pelvic Health at Providence St. Jude Medical Center where she performs clinical work and serves on both executive and advisory boards for the Providence St Joseph Health Women & Children’s Institute. Dr. Santos has considerable experience working in the medical device and pharma area consulting to various entities and is a key-note speaker internal to Providence Health being responsible for communications with GYN related practitioners within the organization. Dr. Santos Education includes Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University, residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University with fellowship at Emory University.
Hyunsook Park, PhD
Director, Microbiology
Professor of Microbiology at Cal State LA with 20+ years studying Candida albicans and vaginal microbial pathogenesis…. Read More
Dr. Park is Professor of Microbiology at California State University Los Angeles with over twenty years of research experience on fungal pathogenesis and is a first-generation, US immigrant female scientist, Dr. Park has focused her career in research with the goal of improving women’s health using C. Albicans as a model for fungal pathogen while recognizing host environmental changes may initiate infection as part of the normal microbiome. Dr. Park received her PhD in Microbiology from Ewha Women’s University in Seoul South Korea. Dr. Park conducted post doctoral research at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Kat Chang, PhD
Chief Science Officer
Kat Chang is a business and strategy leader with over 20 years of experience in genomics and life sciences. As Chief Science Officer at Cern Corp. she specializes in translation and communication of scientific material as well as strategic relationships. Her path from engineer to scientist to strategist gives her the ability to blend technical depth with business acumen. Kat does her best work at the front end of ambiguous, high-stakes problems—diagnosing challenges, spotting high-value opportunities, and shaping strategies that translate into real-world impact. Throughout her career, she has partnered with health systems, biotech and pharma, academia, and global collaborators to bridge technical, scientific, and commercial perspectives and accelerate innovation.
Track Record
What this team has achieved.
Novel Approach & Remote Health Platform
Developed a significant new approach, now in human study showing significant results, which uniquely addresses both yeast, bacterial, as well as drug-resistant microbes. A platform technology which will evolve as a platform for remote health. Cern is addressing the gap in drug-based standards of care.
Antimicrobial Resistance
Helping reduce antimicrobial resistance by decreasing antibiotic use.
Addressing Drug-Resistant Vaginal Infections
Demonstrated efficacy against drug-resistant Candida strains with no equivalent in current pharmacologic therapy
Advancing Through Clinical Development
Advanced from concept through IRB approval into human clinical evaluation
Protecting Beneficial Vaginal Flora
Established the ability to preserve Lactobacillus crispatus — first light-based device to demonstrate a microbiome-protective profile
Protected by a Growing Patent Portfolio
Built a strong IP position with multiple issued patents
Leadership
Melanie Santos, MD,
FACOG, FPMRS'
Chief Medical Officer
Urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery specialist with 17+ years of experience…. Read More
Hyunsook Park, PhD
Director, Microbiology
Professor of Microbiology at Cal State LA with 20+ years studying Candida albicans and vaginal microbial pathogenesis…. Read More
Kat Chang, PhD
Chief Science Officer
David Pudwill
Regulatory Advisor
FDA and DoD regulatory expert. Former senior roles at AscentX Medical, ConvaTec…. Read More
David is a seasoned leader and regulatory expert who helps companies get medical devices and combination products to market. David has served in senior leadership roles at AscentX Medical and ConvaTec, and previously worked at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and St. Jude Medical. He is a founding member of the Kidney Health Initiative, and has helped startups acquire funding and successfully interact with FDA and the Department of Defense. While at FDA, David worked on DARPA projects and consulted with CBER and CDER regarding regulatory submissions, including clinical studies and marketing submissions, and reviewed FDA regulated software submissions.
David holds a Master of Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and a Certificate from HBX, now Harvard Business School Online.
Neelima Firth, MBA
Commercialization Strategy and Reimbursement Advisor
Neelima is an innovative and accomplished, biopharmaceutical leader with a record of transforming projects into successful products. Launched 9 pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Established Amgen’s initial presence in UK and through nearly 17-year career at Amgen where she worked in Medical, Project Management, Reimbursement, Marketing, and Strategic Planning. Led two key reimbursement projects that were key to Amgen revenue and success. Career experience at Amgen, Alfred Mann Foundation, BMS and GSK in the US and UK. Skilled presenter and communicator of key messages. Applies diplomatic and persuasive skills to build strong collaborative relationships with partners, vendors, and academia. Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of professionals to achieve superior and sustainable results. Experience in delivering workable and profitable strategic plans.
Gregg A. Klang, MBA
CEO, President and Founder, Inventor
Gregg’s background is principally in business with most of his career in technical sales and marketing for a Fortune 50 organization. Gregg has senior management experience, an extensive background in global sales and account management, and extensive training through the Boston Consulting Group. His interest in life sciences has generated multiple patents in the medical device space. In the summer of 2019, Cern Corp. was nominated to participate in the LA-BioStart program for CEOs bringing novel and disruptive technologies within the life sciences vertical to market.
Dr. Todd Peterson, PhD
Chief Science Advisor
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Board of Directors & Advisors
Guided by leaders in medicine & industry.
Annette M. Walker
Board of Directors
President of City of Hope Orange County. Former CEO of St. Joseph’s Health…. Read More
Annette’s current position is President, City of Hope Orange County and has also held past positions as President, Strategy at St. Joseph’s as well as CEO, St. Joseph’s Health. Annette is recognized as one of the “Top 100” people in US Healthcare and has been named one of America’s most influential health care leaders @modernhealthcare. Annette is now building a world-class cancer center for The City of Hope in Orange County CA. Annette is a solutions architect and nationally recognized strategist, thought leader and author/keynote speaker on transforming the health care industry. Annette also mentors hundreds of up-and-coming next-generation executives. Annette is a passionate team leader and Life-long advocate for female leaders and moms.
David C. Lagrew, MD
Board of Directors
Chief of Service, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Hoag Hospital. Former Regional Executive Medical… Read More
David’s current position is Chief of Service, Maternal Fetal Medicine at Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach, CA. Prior to Hoag, David was Regional Executive Medical Director for Women’s Services where he manages development of the Ministry’s Centers of Excellence and regional Clinical Institute of Women’s Health within St. Joseph’s/Providence Health. David’s background also includes extensive executive experience having held the position of Medical Director at Long Beach Memorial as well as Medical Director, Women’s Services at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center prior to his appointment as Executive Director, Women’s Services at St. Joseph’s. David has recently retired from over 35 years of clinical practice and is regarded as a thought leader within the industry.
David Powell
Advisor to Board of Directors
David is a seasoned senior global executive who has served as CEO, President and SVP of public, private, family-owned and not-for-profit enterprises. He was business unit CEO for companies in the healthcare and consumer products industries, including Johnson & Johnson and Avon Products, and has led integrated businesses with up to $1.8 billion in sales. He also served as Operating Partner and as a consultant in private equity. He is proficient in delivering revenue, EBITDA and cash growth with broad global accountability, while leading complex multinational businesses through major transformations and overseeing operations in 30+ countries. He is especially knowledgeable in sales growth, business transformation, manufacturing, supply chain management, new product development, field service as well as with start-ups. David has proactively worked with US, Japan, China and UK governmental and regulatory leaders. David also is engaged with incubators and accelerators in Orange County, CA.
Cern’s Team of Advisors
Lara Zibners, MD
Corporate Strategy Advisor
Physician and global women’s health entrepreneur. Co-founder and Chairman of Calla…. Read More
Lara Zibners is a medical doctor, entrepreneur, and author focused on improving women’s health. As co-founder of Calla Lily Clinical Care, she works on advancing intravaginal drug delivery and menstrual health diagnostics to make care more effective and accessible. Beyond her professional work, she is a mother of three and an author, known for simplifying complex medical topics with a relatable and often humorous approach, including in her book If Your Kid Eats This Book, Everything Will Still Be Okay. Her personal experiences with infertility and adoption have strongly shaped her mission to break stigma and improve conversations around women’s health, while balancing a global lifestyle across London, Vienna, and Colorado.
Jack Sobel, MD
Clinical Advisor
Widely recognized authority on infectious diseases of the gynecologic tract, with research conducted…. Read More
Dr. Sobel is a consulting Physician, Clinical Advisor, and one of the world’s foremost authorities on infectious diseases of the GYN tract. Dr. Sobel is a widely published and strongly funded physician-researcher. He has been involved in basic science, translational and clinical research since the inception of his Infectious Diseases Research Fellowship in 1976 at the NIH Laboratory of Clinical Investigation. He has served as a consultant for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s special committee for recommending guidelines for the treatment of sexually transmitted disease. He has served as President of the Michigan Infectious Diseases Society from 1997 to 1999, a Member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the National State President’s Committee and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Practice Guidelines Committee.
Neal M. Lonky, MD, MPH
Clinical Advisor
Practicing physician and clinical professor at Kaiser Permanente and UC Irvine…. Read More
Dr. Lonky is a recognized leader in women’s healthcare occupying significant roles at both Kaiser Permanente as well as The University of California Irvine as a practicing physician, research lead and key investigator. Dr. Lonky has provided significant support to SoCalPermenenteMedGroup to improve patient care, safety, and affordability and is an acknowledged expert in women’s health policy and management. Additionally, Dr. Lonky is on the Editorial Board of American Society of Colposcopy Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease and Contributing Editor for OBG Management. Editorial Board of American Society of Colposcopy Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease and Contributing Editor for OBG Management. Dr. Lonky’s association with Kaiser includes, Practicing Physician, Elected Board of Directors, Chairman of the Quality Committee of the Board of Directors, Oversight of operations and policy for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group in concert with Kaiser Foundation. Co-Chairman of the Elected Board of Directors, Chairman of the Quality Committee of the Board of Directors. Association with The University of California Irvine includes roles as Clinical Professor as well as Faculty Clinical Professor at the Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Lonky is also CEO, Founder (and inventor) at Histologics LLC, whose focus is minimally Invasive tissue sampling and wound hygiene/debridement devices.
Neelima Firth, MBA
Commercialization Strategy and Reimbursement Advisor
Launched nine pharma and biotech products across Amgen, BMS, GSK, and Alfred Mann Foundation. …. Read More
William R. Phillips
Corporate Strategy Advisor
25+ year medtech executive. Former VP at Abbott CRM, leading global commercial operations …. Read More
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Vern Roohk, PhD
Scientific Advisor
50+ years in physiology and medical device development. Co-founder of American…. Read More
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Trisha Parikh, Pharma/MBA
Pharmacology Advisor
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Dr. Allan Akerman, MD
Clinical Advisor
Board-certified OB/GYN and former Department Chair at St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA. …. Read More
Certified Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). He served as the Chair of the OBGYN Department at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA from 2016 to 2019 and holds active privileges for surgeries and deliveries at various medical centers. He was honored as the Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association and has been recognized as one of the Top 3 Gynecologists in Orange, CA in 2021 and 2019. Dr. Akerman completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in New York and has gained a reputation for his surgical expertise and compassionate patient care. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and actively participates in medical missions globally. He founded AkermanMed in 2005 and continues to make significant contributions to women’s health.