Dennis K. Stone Award
2023 Dennis K. Stone Winner Announced
(from left to right) Kathleen M. Otto, BioNTX, Stella Robertson, PhD, Bios Partners, and Kristin Lonergan, CIC, Cadence Insurance
Stella Robertson, PhD
About Stella Robertson:
Stella Robertson has over 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical Research and Development, including R&D strategies, project management, clinical trials, regulatory filings for US and international registrations, product launch, market support, translational medicine and medical communication. Currently, Dr. Robertson is a member and investor with Cowtown Angels and the owner of Arrochar Consulting.
She formerly was a Vice President in Research and Development at Alcon Laboratories, Inc., a Division of Novartis, where she grew and led organizations that were responsible for the ophthalmic pipeline, otic pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. During her tenure at Alcon, she and her colleagues successfully developed, registered, and globally launched sixteen ophthalmic medications, and also treatments for otitis media and nasal allergy.
She received a Ph.D. in Biology-Immunology from Johns Hopkins University, is an adjunct member of the Ophthalmology Department of UTHSCD Southwestern Medical School, and a volunteer in the University of North Texas Health Science Center translational research and entrepreneurial program. She holds a number of patents and is the author or co-author of over 50 publications.
What is the Dennis K. Stone Award?
Every year BioNTX is proud to honor Dr. Stone’s memory and work by awarding an individual who has positively affected the North Texas biotechnology industry and contributed awareness and funds to life science research.
Who was Dennis K. Stone?
Dennis K. Stone was an accomplished scientist and an instrumental figure in biotechnology developments and advancements at UT Southwestern and in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Stone led UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Office for Technology Development and launched its BioCenter at Southwestern Medical District. Of his many contributions, Dr. Stone is remembered by colleagues as ”having an infectious enthusiasm and passion for the biotechnology industry”. This passion helped fuel the confidence of companies and investors and kicked off an emergence of the industry in North Texas.
Dennis Stone was born and raised in Dallas before receiving his undergraduate degree from UT Austin in 1973 and his medical degree from UT Southwestern in 1977. Following an internship and residency training at Columbia-Presbyterian, he obtained his postdoctoral training at UT Southwestern and Cornell University.
Dr. Stone joined the faculty of UT Southwestern as a member of the Nephrology Division of Internal Medicine and then became the Chief of the Division of Molecular Transport. He quickly ascended the academic ranks, becoming Professor of Internal Medicine, Physiology, and Biochemistry. He was the first Associate Dean for Medical Student Research and then was appointed Vice President of Technology Development (1998-2011).
In 2011, Dr. Stone left UT Southwestern to become the Chief Scientific Officer of Remeditex Ventures. Dr. Stone held this position from August 2011 to June 2016. During his time at Remeditex, he was involved in key investments into Texas-based companies such as Bellicum Pharmaceuticals and Peloton Therapeutics that not only were successful investments but also developed efficacious products that are either approved or in late stage clinical trials, benefitting patients across the globe.
The impact that Dr. Stone left on the DFW biotech industry is immeasurable. Dr. Stone’s legacy is carried on by his wife and colleague, Dr. Helen H. Hobbs, with whom he shared a strong commitment for the UT Southwestern mission. “Dennis was committed to the development of biotechnology in Dallas both as a faculty member of UT Southwestern and after he left to join the venture capital firm of Remeditex.”
