Bio: Prior to joining Solid, Dr. Morris was a Senior Director for Pfizer’s Rare Disease Research Unit, leading their efforts in neurologic diseases and the muscle biology programs. While at Pfizer, Dr. Morris directed several small molecule and biotherapeutic development programs, including a program that led to a Phase 2 study in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, while also heading an internal research group responsible for advancing programs from target identification to the clinic for many rare neurologic and muscle-related diseases. Dr. Morris identified key external opportunities and worked closely with patient groups, academic laboratories, and other industry partners to advance drug development in the rare neuromuscular disease space. His scientific and drug development experience at Pfizer also included investigations into broader muscle wasting conditions, as well as tendon and bone repair biology.
Prior to joining Pfizer in 2007, Dr. Morris was an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Medicine and a founding faculty member of the Muscle and Aging Research Unit, established to investigate strategies for improving muscle function during aging or disease. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Physiology at the University of Pennsylvania where he worked on multiple projects ranging from molecular aspects of muscle protein interactions to therapeutic approaches for modulating muscle size and function. As a trained muscle physiologist, his academic pursuits have ranged from biophysical aspects of muscle contraction and enzyme kinetics to therapeutic interventions in a variety of in vivo muscle atrophy and disease models.
Dr. Morris holds a B.A. in Biology from Franklin Pierce College (Rindge, NH) and a PhD in Physiology from UCLA.
