School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Message from the Dean

Dear BIOMED Graduates,

Congratulations on your graduation from Drexel’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems! All of us in the school, from faculty who have guided you, professional staff who have cheered you on and hundreds of alumni Dragons, are ready to welcome you into their ranks and share in your pride and in your accomplishments.

Sincerely,

Paul W. Brandt-Rauf, ScD, MD, DrPH
Dean of the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems and Distinguished University Professor

About the Keynote Speaker

Rita Johnson-Greene, BS electrical engineering '99, is an accomplished international healthcare executive with a proven track record of building high-impact cross-functional teams. Johnson-Greene has worked at several world-class organizations and launched three of the five gene therapies currently marketed in the U.S., including Luxturna, the first FDA-approved gene therapy.

Johnson-Greene currently serves as chief financial officer at Ocugen, a biotechnology company dedicated to developing gene therapies for blindness. She is responsible for driving Ocugen's capital markets strategy, investor engagement and financial stewardship. Prior to her role with Ocugen, Johnson-Greene was the chief operating officer of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), an international cell and gene therapy advocacy organization that promotes access for all patients. She has also held leadership roles at Bluebird Bio, Spark Therapeutics, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

Johnson-Greene earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University, where she also met her husband of 23 years. She later earned her MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and began her career in strategic consulting and has experience in sales and commercial operations. Johnson-Greene serves on the BIOMED Dean's Executive Advisory Council and as a guest lecturer for the school's biomedical engineering graduate students. She is also the co-founder of Anchor Church and teaches Bible study.