Washington — May 20, 2025 —DIA, a global non-profit organization of life sciences professionals, has appointed three members to its Board of Directors to reflect a broader range of expertise across genetics, oncology, artificial intelligence (AI), and international biopharmaceutical leadership.

Sahirzeeshan Ali, Raju Kucherlapati, and Dr. Tadaaki Taniguchi are commencing a standard three-year term on the Board. Their selection followed a comprehensive nomination process that incorporated input from DIA's governance committee and was finalized by a vote of returning Directors.

"Sahir, Raju, and Tadaaki bring a deep understanding of science, medicine, and innovation that aligns with DIA's mission to advance global health," said Marwan Fathallah, DIA's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Each has made meaningful contributions to the life sciences community and shares a commitment to improving patient outcomes everywhere."

Ali is a technology and healthcare leader with experience in AI, medical imaging, cancer research, enterprise technology, and cloud computing. He has guided some of the world's largest companies through their integration of emerging technologies and data science practices, and his work has appeared in more than 30 journals and publications.

Kucherlapati is the Paul C. Cabot Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and a professor in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. His research has centered on gene mapping, gene modification, and cloning disease genes. He has chaired numerous National Institutes of Health (NIH) committees and served on several others focused on genetics and cancer research, and he is a member of the NIH's Cancer Genome Atlas program.

Taniguchi is the Chief Medical Officer of Astellas and a surgical oncologist who has experience in developing and commercializing innovative medicines. He held senior roles in major multinational pharmaceutical companies in the United States, Japan, and China, and spent 10 years working in clinics and research laboratories, gaining insight into how global pharmaceutical companies create and deliver new disease treatments.

Dr. Junaid Bajwa has been elected to another three-year term on the Board of Directors and succeeds Dr. Kihito Takahashi as Chair. Takahashi remains on the Board as Immediate Past Chair. Rachel Zhang, also reelected, is the Chair-Elect, and Jason Monteleone is the Secretary/Treasurer.

DIA's Board of Directors for 2025-26 is:

The Strategic Advisors to DIA's Board of Directors for 2025-26 are:

DIA's Board of Directors plays a central role in setting policy direction and organizational priorities. Working closely with DIA's standing committees, the Board helps ensure the organization meets the needs of its global membership across programs, research, and financial planning. All Board and advisory roles are voluntary and uncompensated.