Makana Therapeutics Team

Joe Tector, MD, PhD, FACS

Joe Tector, MD, PhD, FACS

Founder

More than 30 years of experience in transplant surgery and the pioneering visionary whose work the modern xeno-field is built upon. He is currently Director of the Xenotransplant Institute; Surgical Director, Small Bowel and Multivisceral Transplant Program, University of Miami Medical School. Dr. Tector received his training from McGill University, University of Miami, and St Louis University School of Medicine.
Mark Platt

Mark Platt

President & CEO

More than 30 years of experience in business and organizational leadership with background in manufacturing, engineering, hospital administration, sales, marketing, and product development. Former Pres/CEO of Multistack, SVP and Board Member at Gundersen Health System, Combat Engineering Officer-U.S. Air Force, and member of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame. B.S. – Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Vanderbilt University.
Matt Tector, PhD

Matt Tector, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer

More than 30 years of experience in Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Genetic Engineering, and Xenotransplantation. Oversaw the creation and validation of the Makana TKO Pig and its xenotransplant-related histocompatibility and pathogen detection assays. PhD – Pathology/Immunology from the University of Pittsburgh with Postdocs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Max-Planck Institute.
Ed Gray

Ed Gray

Chief Operating Officer

Transplantation industry veteran with broad experience in genetic engineering, porcine development and facilities, infection disease, preclinical program design and execution, regulatory strategy and planning.
Zak Dorsey, FACHE

Zak Dorsey, FACHE

VP Finance & Business Development

Hospital Administrator with 15+ years of experience in transplant administration, practice management, managed care contracting, reimbursement, and analytics. Involved in Xenotransplant research effort for over 10 years using his experience to monetize and grow the market for this technology. He holds a Master of Health Administration degree from Indiana University.
Karl Kraebber

Karl Kraebber

VP Operations

Kraebber is a xenotransplantation and hospital operations professional with 14+ years of experience in designated pathogen free barrier facility design, animal facility operations, regulatory compliance, quality management. Prior work with Indiana University, University of Alabama. BS and MS from Purdue University in General Health Science, Technology, and Organizational Leadership.