Dr. Dod Michael has contributed to the development and successful approval of six medicines currently on the market. Dod’s experiences of hands-on research, research management, and executive leadership have shaped his seasoned judgment about both what makes a successful drug and how to develop one. At Celosia, Dod works on new venture creation and advises portfolio companies on development strategy and execution, guiding each of Celosia’s portfolio investments toward successful outcomes.
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Dod began his career at Eli Lilly and Company, spending a decade developing antisense and small-molecule therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. He later led the revitalization of Lilly’s insulin and glucagon research team, bringing new projects from concept to clinic within three years. As Senior Director of Insulin Discovery Biology, he collaborated on connected care technologies and automated insulin delivery systems. After leaving Lilly, Dod became Chief Scientific Officer at Thermalin, refining strategies for insulin analog development and securing funding for miniaturized pump technologies. Following Thermalin, Dod began advising numerous early-stage biopharma and medical device companies as an independent consultant.
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Dod earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Alabama. He obtained his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from UT Southwestern Medical Center with a focus on reproductive endocrinology. He then conducted research on tissue-specific insulin signaling in the lab of C. Ronald Kahn, MD as a postdoctoral fellow at the Joslin Diabetes Center.
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In addition to his role at Celosia, Dod is Vice President of Metabolic Diseases at Toralgen. He has also served as adjunct professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine.