Insights & Intel: The Bracken Blog

Brains Behind the Breakthroughs: Meet Our Neuroscience Team

Written by Bracken | Apr 7, 2025 12:00:00 PM

At Bracken, we bring together a world-class team of experts, including a team dedicated to advancing neuroscience and central nervous system (CNS) research. With decades of combined experience in drug development, medical imaging, regulatory strategy, and biomarker innovation, our team is uniquely positioned to support clients at every stage of development. Read on to meet the exceptional individuals who make up our neuroscience team. 

Deepak Behera, MD

20+ Years Experience
Dr. Deepak Behera is a highly accomplished Nuclear Medicine physician with extensive leadership experience in medical affairs and clinical development. With a deep understanding of radiopharmaceutical product launches, Deepak has contributed significantly to the field, publishing over 20 journal articles, delivering more than 15 invited presentations, and co-authoring two patents. His tenure at Stanford University saw the development of two start-ups and five early-phase trials. His industry experience includes leadership roles such as Senior Medical Director, Head of Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, where he has shaped clinical strategies for radioligand therapy. Deepak remains actively involved in the medical community through leadership roles in EPPIC Global, IASNM, and MISI.

 
Jeffrey Cottrell, PhD

20+ Years Experience
Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell is a neuroscientist with two decades of experience in CNS research and drug discovery. Earning his PhD in Neuroscience from MIT, Jeff has dedicated his career to developing treatments for brain disorders. His work at the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard focused on translating genetic insights into therapeutic strategies. As the former Head of Neurodevelopment and Psychiatry at Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Jeff was instrumental in shaping drug development programs. He holds multiple patents for innovative brain disorder treatments.

 
Jim Gilligan, MSIB, PhD

40+ Years Experience
Dr. Jim Gilligan is a distinguished expert in drug development, pharmacology, and peptide-based therapeutics. Jim has recently spent a significant portion of his career in developing psychedelic therapeutic treatments for patients with fibromyalgia, IBS, and bulimia. His expertise spans the full spectrum of drug development, from preclinical studies to Phase III clinical trials. With extensive experience in due diligence, strategic planning, and regulatory strategy, Jim has played a pivotal role in leading biopharma companies, including Tarsa Therapeutics, Herborium Inc., and Unigene Labs. He has successfully executed licensing and feasibility deals, collaborating with venture capitalists and investment bankers.

 
David Krause, PhD, FACP

30+ Years Experience
Dr. David Krause is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with a deep background in neuroscience and psychiatry. As the former Chief Medical Officer at Genomind, he led efforts in pharmacogenetic testing and neuropsychiatric medication management. His career includes key roles at SmithKline Beecham, GlaxoSmithKline, and Vicuron Pharmaceuticals, where he spearheaded multiple successful regulatory filings. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians, David has authored numerous scientific publications and is widely respected for his contributions to neuroscience.

 
Sandy McEwan, MB, FRCPC, FSNMMI

40+ Years Experience
Dr. Sandy McEwan is a globally recognized leader in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical development. With 35 years in academia at the University of Alberta and a strong track record in the pharmaceutical industry, Sandy has pioneered systemic targeted radiotherapy (SRT) approaches. His tenure as Vice President of Radiopharmaceuticals at Ipsen and Chief Medical Officer at Ariceum underscores his leadership in bringing radiopharmaceutical innovations to market. A past president of SNMMI, he has authored over 120 publications and played a key role in securing Canada’s first radiopharmaceutical drug approval by an academic center.

 
David Raunig, PhD

25+ Years Experience
Dr. David Raunig is an expert in imaging biomarker development, medical image analysis, and statistical modeling. His contributions have been instrumental in securing FDA and EMA approvals for drugs targeting cancer, neurodegeneration, and rare diseases. As the statistical lead on multiple clinical trials, David has played a key role in designing statistical and biomarker analysis plans, supporting the development of five FDA-validated biomarkers.

 
Rosemary Shull

20+ Years Experience
Rosemary Shull brings extensive sales, marketing, and business development expertise in medical imaging, drug development, and medical devices. She has held leadership roles at VirtualScopics, playing a key part in its acquisition by Biotelemetry. Currently consulting for imaging CROs, Rosemary specializes in biomarker development and strategic business planning.

 
Brad Wyman, MS, PhD

20+ Years Experience
Dr. Brad Wyman is a renowned expert in clinical imaging and clinical trial design. His decade at Pfizer saw him lead imaging biomarker initiatives across multiple therapeutic areas. As a former Vice President of Imaging and Clinical Development at ImaginAb, he oversaw the development of novel PET tracers. Now consulting with biotech and medical device companies, Brad advises on innovative biomarker integration and data-driven clinical trial strategies.

 

At Bracken, our Neuroscience experts combine scientific expertise with strategic insights to drive innovation and success across the industry. Whether you need guidance on regulatory pathways, biomarker strategies, or clinical trial design, our experts are here to support you. Contact us today to learn more about working with Bracken’s Neuroscience team.