Meet Inspira Advantage’s Research Mentors

Dr. Vella began her academic training at Nova Southeastern University, where she earned a BS in biology. She then completed an MS in biomedical sciences at King’s College London. Throughout her academic research career, Dr. Vella has led projects involving immune imaging, gene expression profiling, and the development of novel experimental protocols, work that has been supported by multiple grant and fellowship programs. Her research has been published in prestigious journals such as Cancer Research, the Journal of General Virology, the Journal of Immunology, and others. 

Professionally, Dr. Vella has built experience across academia, early-stage biotech, and venture-backed therapeutics. She served as Senior Associate and then Associate Director of Business & Alliance Management at Orange Grove Bio, where she led due diligence and partnership strategy across cell therapy, immunology, and oncology assets. She is currently a Co-Founder at ACATbio, a preclinical-stage company focused on novel immunomodulatory therapies, where she oversees research and development strategy, investor communications, and funding initiatives across both grant and venture channels.

Mentorship has been a consistent focus throughout Dr. Vella’s career. Beginning as a research associate at the University of Miami and continuing through her graduate and postdoctoral years at Dartmouth College, she has trained and mentored undergraduate researchers in the lab, supporting students as they develop research skills and grow into confident scientists. At Dartmouth, she also served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, advising academic spinouts on commercial strategy and mentoring trainees through translational accelerator programs.

Many of the students Dr. Vella has coached have completed honors theses, presented at conferences, and pursued advanced degrees in science and medicine. Dr. Vella has supported students through research spanning cancer biology, tumor biology, cell biology, and immunology.

Dr. Vella’s mentorship style bridges scientific rigor with strategic clarity. She supports students through every step of the research process, from question formulation and literature review to data interpretation and manuscript development. Her approach is structured, encouraging, and tailored to each student’s interests and goals. She is particularly excited to help students connect their research work to larger scientific narratives, clinical challenges, or societal needs. Whether guiding students toward their first abstract or helping them build confidence as future physicians and investigators, Dr. Vella values mentorship as a means of cultivating scientific curiosity and clarity of purpose.