Dr. Tracy Laabs is the Head of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at the Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering in Geneva, Switzerland.
In this role, she focuses on identifying and advancing innovative translational research projects and strategic partnerships to expand the reach of the science and technology of the Center. She assumed this role in 2024, after four years as Chief Development Officer and five years as the Founding Deputy Director of the Center where she was instrumental in growing and evolving the Center into an international leader in neurotechnology. She also serves on a number of Advisory Boards as well as hold Board (observer) roles for Wyss Center spin off companies.
Tracy has over eighteen years of combined professional and research experience in multiple life science disciplines including neuroscience, neurotechnology, molecular biology, physiology, human performance, and regenerative medicine. Prior to joining the Wyss Center, she was a Senior Scientist at Strategic Analysis, Inc. where she provided technical expertise and scientific program management support on multidisciplinary programs at the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Defense Sciences (DSO) and Biological Technologies offices (BTO).
Tracy has extensive research experience as well as expertise in strategic planning, development and management of high risk/high reward multidisciplinary programs and coordinating interdisciplinary teams of academic and industrial scientists in the development of technologies. She enjoys mentoring young scientists and entrepreneurs, writing and presenting to broad audiences about neuroscience and neurotechnology translation. She holds a PhD in Clinical Neuroscience from the University of Cambridge (UK) and a BS in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (US).
Tracy leads the Center’s translational research team, partnerships and efforts to accelerate the translation of science and technology to the patient. She is a champion for Wyss Center science and technology and brings over eighteen years of combined professional and research experience toward advancing innovative clinical solutions.