Team

Kevin Neshat, D.D.S., M.D. is a leading oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the founder of Nu Image Surgical and Dental Implant Centers, a multi-center, multi-surgeon practice located in the Triangle region of North Carolina. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and has pioneered innovative dental implant techniques in the region, including Zygoma implants and Teeth-in-an-Hour™.

As an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, Dr. Neshat imparts his extensive knowledge to future dental professionals. He also directs Nu-Image Advanced Dental Seminars, where he educates dental professionals on the latest advancements in oral surgery and implant dentistry. With over 25 years of experience, Kevin is also the founder and President of Rilento, further enhancing his impact on oral health care.

William A. Daunch, PhD is a seasoned scientist and product development expert with over 25 years of experience in creating medical devices and industrial products. He specializes in turning innovative research into practical solutions, particularly for cardiovascular devices, biomedical adhesives, tissue reconstruction, and drug delivery systems. With a strong background in polymer science and biomaterials, Dr. Daunch has successfully brought numerous Class II and Class III medical devices to market, navigating complex US and international regulations during his time at companies like AorTech, Closure Medical, Johnson & Johnson, Allergan, and Focal Medical. In addition to his product development expertise, Dr. Daunch is skilled in preclinical research, including animal models, cell-based assays, and toxicology studies. He also has experience in market research and collaborating with surgeons to refine prototypes. Bill is advising Rilento Pharma on the development and scale-up of their new technology for managing pain after oral surgery.

Tony Parker, PhD is a prolific inventor and innovator who seamlessly blends science and art across diverse fields. He holds over 45 patents and his remarkable career showcases successful commercialized products ranging from wood composites and biopolymers to medical devices and specialized surface treatments. His inventive spirit has led to breakthroughs in advanced materials like wood composites, biopolymers, and pigments; medical technology such as guidewires, control release devices, and surface treatments; and even consumer products like windshield coatings and musical instrument strings. Dr. Parker's ability to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries exemplifies the power of imagination and creativity in driving impactful innovation. Tony is leading the formulation and compounding efforts, and helping the team obtain critical intellectual property protection.

Mike Bravo, SRS is a medical device leader with over 20 years of experience helping companies develop and commercialize products. He has extensive experience in surgical and interventional procedures, having logged over 15,000 hours working with animal, human cadaveric, and bench models. A recognized expert in his field, Mike has presented at industry events and served as a subject matter expert for clients during regulatory meetings. He has co-authored numerous publications and presentations, and his work has been featured in industry journals. Mike has a unique perspective on product development, having worked with academic and private CROs, as well as within the industry itself. In 2018, he founded Osiris Med Dev to provide clients with expert guidance on regulatory clearance, sales force training, and end-user education. He works closely with client core teams to develop and implement efficient plans for successful product launches and market adoption. Mike is leading the preclinical model development and testing efforts with his team at Osiris.

Kristin Blackwell, RAC is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, having worked with both small and large companies. She specializes in regulatory affairs and has contributed to over 50 Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, particularly for ophthalmology products. Beyond regulatory affairs, Kristin has also held senior leadership roles in quality assurance, drug safety/pharmacovigilance, and clinical development. Her diverse experience includes overseeing company safety reporting, creating Quality Management Systems, leading FDA inspections, auditing clinical practices, and directly managing a Phase 2a clinical study. She has also played a key role in due diligence activities, such as evaluating potential partners and managing data rooms. Furthermore, Kristin has managed all North American regulatory affairs and quality assurance activities for a global medical device company, demonstrating her broad expertise in the life sciences industry. Kristin is leading all of the regulatory affairs activities.

Raymond A. Dionne, D.D.S., Ph.D. is a renowned clinical pharmacologist with a distinguished career focused on pain research. He holds a DDS and MS in pharmacology from Georgetown University and a PhD in pharmacology from the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Dionne dedicated 35 years to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a Tenured Investigator, where he held leadership positions such as Chief of the Pain and Neurosensory Mechanisms Branch and Scientific Director. His contributions were recognized with three NIH Director’s Awards. A prolific researcher, Dr. Dionne has authored over 200 publications on analgesic drugs, including clinical trial results, original articles, and book chapters. He has also played a key role in shaping national guidelines on pain management, serving on the FDA/ASCPT Analgesic Guidelines Committee and chairing the Analgesiology and Headache Section of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Ray is advising the team on the preclinical evidence generation strategy, product pharmacology requirements, and supporting clinical development.

Asma Khan, B.D.S., Ph.D., FICD is a highly accomplished dentist and neuroscientist, recognized internationally for her work in pain management. She's an expert in both endodontics (root canals) and neuroscience, bringing a unique perspective to her research and patient care. Dr. Khan serves on the ADA Council of Scientific Affairs and has won many awards for her research, which focuses on finding better ways to diagnose and treat dental pain. She's currently exploring new methods to manage acute dental pain, evaluate new pain relievers and anesthetics, and detect cracks in teeth. Dr. Khan is also investigating how tiny biological components contribute to pain signaling. In addition to her research, she mentors students and provides specialized dental care in her private practice. Asma is helping Rilento Pharma develop their new pain management technology for oral surgery by conducting preclinical studies and advising on clinical development.