We are a collaboration of scientists, drug research experts and parents who have had their worldview shaken by pediatric cancer and are approaching one, common goal from a wide variety of angles.
OUR TEAM
Charles Keller MD
Board of Governors
Charles is a physician-scientist with expertise in pediatric cancer basic science and experimental therapeutics. Charles’ research focuses on the development of more effective, less toxic therapies for childhood cancers. His special interest is advanced disease that has spread beyond the initial location of the cancer or which makes the tumor unresectable. Charles has co-chaired the brain tumor developmental therapeutics committee (CNS-DVL) of the Children’s Oncology Group and is a member of the soft tissue sarcoma (STS) committee of Children’s Oncology Group. He has also regularly been a standing or ad hoc member of NIH/NCI Study Sections. Charles attended Tulane University where he received a degree in Biomedical Engineering prior to attending Baylor College of Medicine where he received his M.D. degree. After completing his internship and residency in Pediatrics at Texas Children’s Hospital, Charles trained in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the University of Utah and with 2007 Nobel laureate, Mario Capecchi. Charles has authored over 100 scientific publications and is a recognized expert in the biology of childhood sarcomas and the preclinical investigation of childhood cancers. Charles is also a co-founder of First Ascent Biomedical (a company developing personalized medical approaches to therapy for canine and human solid tumor patients) and Artisan Biopharma (a company helping translate drug discoveries to clinical use)*. In their spare time, Charles & his daughters enjoy outdoor adventures, as well as designing and building treehouses. * overlap between cc-TDI, FirstAscent and Artisan Biopharma is overseen by a conflict of interest management committee.
Cody Stiverson
Operational Leader, Board of Governors
Cody is a 26-year Air Force veteran and fighter pilot who lost his first-born daughter to hepatoblastoma after an intense 13-month battle including liver transplantation. His entire family stays committed to Addie’s memory through their foundation, supporting therapeutic developments for this rare disease. As for Cody’s role, science became a passion and he is extensively connected in the patient-advocacy world across multiple diseases. Each day brings new insights to disparate efforts which need connecting, and he views any success achieved as a tribute to his daughter and her memory. Cody taps into world-wide contacts, a diverse combat and humanitarian operational management background, and is fortunate for a loving family who is committed to the mission ahead.
Anthony Haight, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
Tony is an PhD organic chemist by trade and a former Distinguished Research Fellow from Abbvie who joins the cc-TDI team having been inspired by those he has known in their battle with cancer and the people striving to find treatments. Tony brings 31 years of pharmaceutical experience with an emphasis on clinical candidate development. Overlap between adjunct role at cc-TDI and Artisan Biopharma is overseen by a conflict of interest management committee.
Kelly Woolwine
Board of Governors
Kelly is a Husband, Father, Entrepreneur and soldier in the war against childhood cancer. Kelly brings 28 years of venture capital, finance and healthcare industry experience to the Artisan Biopharma mission. Conflicts of interest between his role in the The Life Ring Foundation and Artisan are overseen by a conflict of interest management plan.
Tim Brown
Board of Governors
Tim is Luke’s Dad, and a former Vice President of Genentech. With 14 years' experience of developing and running a world-leading pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, Tim joins the Artisan Team to provide drug and biological manufacturing expertise.
Kent A. Bugg, PhD
Board of Governors & CEO
Dr. Bugg brings 33 years of management experience and a passion for childhood cancer cures to Artisan Biopharma. Dr. Bugg is recently retired from a leadership role in public education. In addition to being a high school teacher, Dr. Bugg was also an athletic director, assistant principal, middle school principal, and for the past 18 years was the superintendent of Coal City School District #1 in Coal City, IL. Dr. Bugg and his wife Debbie recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. Their daughter Mackenzie is a graduate student in speech pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Their family’s passion for childhood cancer advocacy and research comes from their daughter Megan, who tragically passed away on March 9, 2022 after courageously fighting stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma for over 7 years. During Megan’s personal battle, she became a passionate and persuasive national advocate and fundraiser for childhood cancer research raising over $1.7 million to fund various childhood cancer research projects at Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute. Dr. Bugg is currently the President of the Megan’s Mission Foundation, which is dedicated to realizing Megan’s goal of ending childhood cancer through advocacy and research.