Annette Whittemore
CEO, Board President & Co-Founder
Annette Whittemore is a co-founder and CEO of Nevada Center for Biomedical Research. She is also President of NVCBR’s board of directors. As President and CEO, Annette oversees the operation of the center and is responsible for creating, communicating, and implementing the center’s overall vision, mission, and goals. Her vision, along with that of her co-founders, was to create the first bench to bedside medical research center dedicated to finding answers for those who suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) and similar complex neuro-immune diseases. Their combined efforts resulted in the creation of NVCBR within the Center for Molecular Medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno.
In addition to her leadership role at the center, Annette has remained a vocal advocate for disease awareness and research funding at state and national levels and has spoken at several international medical research conferences.
The University of Nevada, Reno selected Annette as Alumna of the Year in 2008 and awarded her with an honorary Doctor of Letters in 2009.
Annette feels blessed to share her life with her husband, five adult children and their spouses, and eight grandchildren. She loves the outdoors, hiking, boating, playing sports, and reading whenever time allows.
Carli West Kinne
Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
Carli Kinne is vice president, general counsel, and secretary. In addition to serving on the executive team and handling all legal matters, Carli manages NVCBR’s sponsored projects, technology transfer, corporate compliance, communication, and human resources functions.
Before joining NVCBR, Carli was in-house counsel for a management company, providing legal counsel to companies involved in a variety of industries, and served as judicial clerk to Nevada Supreme Court Justice Robert Rose. Carli received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law, and her B.A., with distinction, from University of Nevada, Reno.
Carli is passionate about health and wellness and enjoys exercising by chasing around her two children and going to the gym.
Kellen Jones
Study Coordinator & Office Manager
Kellen Jones brings more than 20 years of administrative experience across diverse industries to her role as study coordinator and office manager. Kellen is responsible for many day-to-day functions of NVCBR including AR/AP, customer service, donor relations, event planning, graphic design, website maintenance, social media, and all others areas of administrative support. As the study coordinator, Kellen communicates with study participants and works directly with the principal investigator to ensure compliance with the protocol.
Kellen worked with NVCBR on a volunteer basis beginning in 2006 and became a valued employee in 2010. Previous to NVCBR, Kellen worked for more than 15 years as an administrative services manager, first, for a civil engineering firm and, then, for a land management company.
Kellen attended University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. In her free time, Kellen enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and the outdoors.
Kenny De Meirleir, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director
Kenny De Meirleir, M.D., Ph.D., is an avid physician researcher with expertise in treating patients with ME/CFS and other chronic neuro-immunological diseases. As Medical Director, Dr. De Meirleir provides essential medical and research expertise and clinical support to NVCBR. Dr. De Meirleir has published extensively in various medical journals and co-authored a book on ME/CFS titled, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Biological Approach.
Dr. De Meirleir maintains an international medical practice in addition to his medical practice in Reno. In addition to his research and medical activities, Dr. De Meirleir recently retired from Free University of Belgium where he was a professor since 1985. Dr. De Meirleir earned his medical degree from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1977 and went on to complete an internal medicine residency in the Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Jim Harris
Accounting
Jim Harris is responsible for the day-to-day accounting functions for WPI. Jim is a retired Certified Public Accountant with over 30 years of experience in public accounting and as a CFO for a local development company. Jim graduated from California State University at Chico in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance, and holds a Master Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University.
Dean Laslo
IT
Dean Laslo has more than 21 years of IT experience ranging from manufacturing to automation. Dean is responsible for maintaining WPI’s computers and network.
Dean has worked for WPI since 2006. In addition to WPI Dean works full-time at the Barnes and Noble Reno Distribution Center as an IT System Support Analyst.
Dean attended Truckee Meadows Community College and has obtained many IT certifications. In his spare time he enjoys craft beers, gaming, and spending time with his wife and two children.