Dr. Mochly-Rosen is the George D. Smith Professor of Translational Research and Professor of Chemical and Systems Biology at Stanford. She was the Chair of her department (2001-2004) and the Senior Associate Dean for Research (2006-2013) at Stanford School of Medicine. Dr. Mochly-Rosen's research focuses on improving health as it relates to heart disease and improving mitochondrial functions in cardiac and neurodegenerative diseases. Many laboratories have used the research tools that her lab has generated, and these tools also led to the foundation of three pharmaceutical companies. She published >275 papers and several dozen patents. Dr. Mochly-Rosen’s experience in translating basic research to drug development efforts led her to found SPARK, a translational research program at Stanford University. Now in its 13th year, SPARK has a >50% success rate each year, as measured by projects that were licensed and/or entered clinical studies, and continues with efforts to address local and global health care needs as they arise. The SPARK model has been adopted in ~60 institutes on all continents and Dr. Mochly-Rosen serves as Founder President of the SPARK GLOBAL organization.