Dr Bart Spee has taken up the position of Scientific Director, while Donatas Staniulis has assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer at Vilnius-Utrecht Center for Advanced Disease Modeling (CADM), this year established at the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University (VU).
The management team will work towards one of CADM’s key objectives: fostering a positive, collaborative research environment for translational research in disease biology and the development of clinically relevant solutions.
CADM brings together expertise from Vilnius and Utrecht to develop advanced, human-relevant disease models and accelerate their translation into biomedical research, drug development, and new therapeutic approaches.
By connecting scientific expertise, clinical needs, advanced technologies, and industry collaboration, the Center aims to build a strong platform for internationally competitive translational research.
Dr Bart Spee, Associate Professor at Utrecht University, will lead the CADM scientific strategy and strengthen collaboration between the Vilnius and Utrecht research communities.
With more than 20 years of experience in molecular biology, regenerative medicine, organoid technologies, and translational research, he brings extensive expertise in developing advanced disease models and leading international multidisciplinary collaborations.
He currently coordinates the Horizon Europe NEOLIVER consortium and is CTO and co-founder of DEMCON Orgonex B.V.
Donatas Staniulis, Chief Operating Officer of CADM, will focus on establishing and developing the Center’s operational model, building strategic partnerships, and strengthening collaboration with industry and the wider life sciences ecosystem.
His background combines biotechnology and scientific training with experience in project management, business development, commercialization, and ecosystem building. Prior to joining CADM, he held leadership roles at biotech industry.
Together, the management team will work to connect scientific excellence with strong operational capabilities, international partnerships, and pathways toward real-world application of advanced disease-modeling technologies.
