ABOUT US

Executive Management

Proacta's management and scientific team consist of highly experienced and successful professionals who share a vision of improving outcomes for patients with cancer.

John C. Gutheil, MD – Chief Executive Officer
John Gutheil, MD joined Proacta in May 2006 as the Chief Medical Officer. He was appointed CEO in 2008. Dr. Gutheil is the former VP of Medical Affairs for Favrille, Inc. and Executive Director of Clinical Research and Development at Vical, Inc. Dr. Gutheil also served as the Director of Clinical Research at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in San Diego. Previously, Dr. Gutheil was a faculty member at the University of Maryland Cancer Center, where he was Co-director of the Neuro-oncology Program, Director of the Fellowship Program and Director of the Community Physician Outreach Program. Dr. Gutheil received a BS in Biology from the University of California, San Diego and his M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed his internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins University and his Medical Oncology fellowship at the University of Maryland Cancer Center. Dr. Gutheil holds board certifications in both Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.

Kevin de la Torre, BS, MBA – Chief Financial Officer
Kevin joined Proacta as Chief Financial Office in September 2008, having previously been Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller at Favrille Inc. Kevin has over 20 years experience in the Finance and Accounting sector, including senior positions at Reaction Design, Conneq.com, Inc and Chromagen, Inc.
Kevin holds a BS in Business Administration and Finance and an MBA, both from San Diego State University.

Terri J. Melink, NP, MSN – Director, Clinical Development
Terri Melink joined Proacta in February 2007. Ms. Melink is responsible for overseeing clinical research, clinical operations and data management. She has over 20 years experience in clinical medicine and research with 15 years focused in oncology and drug development from phase I through phase III clinical trials. Prior to joining Proacta, Ms. Melink was Associate Director of Clinical Research at Favrille, Inc. Previously, she was a faculty member in the Department of Medicine/Division of Oncology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She has authored over 40 scientific publications, including abstracts, peer-reviewed clinical research manuscripts, three invited publications and seven book chapters. Ms. Melink completed her Nurse Practitioner training and received her Master of Science degree at Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Kate Parker, PhD – Director, Business Operations
Kate Parker joined Proacta in April 2007 as Director of Business Operations, based in our Auckland office. Prior to joining Proacta, Dr Parker worked with Auckland UniServices, focusing on commercializing technologies invented at the University of Auckland. Before moving to New Zealand, she worked at GlaxoSmithkline in the UK as a member of the Business Projects Team, advising the R&D business on strategic and operational issues. Dr Parker also spent 5 years at ISO Healthcare consulting (now part of the Monitor Group) and 6 years at CMR International, a not for profit research organization that advises the pharmaceutical industry on issues in international drug development. She has PhD in drug development from the University of Wales (Cardiff) and an MSc in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Aberdeen.