Samer Dahshi
Dallas
Summary
Director of Operations and Business Development with 15+ years in healthcare management. Proven expertise in strategic planning, financial management, and team leadership. Key achievements include launching a gene therapy program at UT Southwestern, facilitating FDA product approval, and driving a 400% increase in company value at ABAvac Bio-Technology. Committed to operational excellence and strategic growth initiatives.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Site Head of Viral Vector Core cGMP
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas
11.2018 - Current
- Led the strategic development and operational launch of a cutting-edge gene therapy AAV manufacturing program, guiding cross-functional teams, Design, Construction, HVAC, Logistics, Finance and Technical, to build a clean room facility and planning to scale production from 25mL flasks to 500L bioreactors under cGMP conditions.
- Drove regulatory and compliance strategy, facilitating the successful advancement of an FDA approved AAV drug product for human clinical trials.
- Designed and implemented workforce planning initiatives, creating job descriptions aligned with industry standards, developing an organizational structure, and recruiting top talent to ensure operational excellence.
- Optimized financial and supply chain operations, negotiating strategic supply chain contracts that enhanced efficiency and secured cost savings of up to 50% over UTSW standard prices, resulting in over $500,000 in annual savings for the Core.
- Spearheaded high value partnerships, securing a multi-year, multiprogram manufacturing contract valued at $20 million with a leading gene therapy institute, strengthening UTSW’s industry collaborations.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and scalability, training and leading a lean team of fewer than 12 staff to successfully scale up production to a 1000L batch, an unprecedented achievement within an academic institution and the AAV9 sector, where similar industry benchmarks require greater than 100 staff.
- Expanded technological capabilities, overseeing the successful handling of over 145 different AAV species and variants, with findings set to be published in peer reviewed journals by 2025.
- Demonstrated resilience and crisis management leadership, maintaining full operational continuity during the COVID19 pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted production and research progress despite significant industry disruptions.
Sr. Strategy and Business Development Consultant
Counterfeit Combat Technology (CCT)
Dublin
02.2016 - 11.2018
- Developed and executed a strategic business plan, partnering with the Central Bank of Jordan to conduct a multi-year Proof of Concept (POC) with four major banks. The successful POC led to central bank program approval and recommendation, establishing market trust and driving widespread adoption.
- Led cross-functional teams through key milestones, achieving 300% growth by securing patent approval, expanding product offerings, and driving market penetration—scaling from 3 to 12 clients within two years.
- Directed high-value contract negotiations, ensuring measurable outcomes, efficient implementation timelines, and the successful commissioning of security solutions for universities, banks, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies.
Sr. Strategy and Business Development Consultant
ABAvac Bio-Technology
Ankara
01.2013 - 07.2018
- Developed and executed a strategic business plan, focusing on high-demand, low-supply vaccine products, driving 400% company value growth and securing long term market positioning.
- Led regulatory approval efforts, successfully obtaining cGMP certification and facility plan approvals from 12 government ministries and agencies, ensuring compliance with international standards.
- Spearheaded financial planning and stakeholder engagement, negotiating $5 million in governmental funding and securing a 0% tax break for five years post production, bolstering the company’s financial sustainability.
- Implemented Lean Six Sigma methodologies, optimizing project budgeting, licensing, and SOP development, reducing capital and operational costs by over 40% while maintaining efficiency and compliance.
- Expanded international market presence, leveraging strategic partnerships and contract negotiations to double the company’s market value, strengthening its competitive position in the global vaccine industry.
Director of Operation and Process Consultant
GE Healthcare – Clarient Diagnostics
Aliso Viejo
08.2013 - 02.2016
- Led the strategic deployment of GE/Clarient’s Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring regulatory compliance (FDA, CAP) and operational standardization across U.S. and Saudi facilities.
- Optimized supply chain and laboratory workflows, leveraging Lean Six Sigma methodologies to enhance Anatomic Pathology turnaround times (TAT) and achieve a 50% reduction in manpower utilization while maintaining service quality.
- Secured key governmental partnerships, collaborating with the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) to obtain a $1.8 million GE Lab Accreditation tender, reinforcing the lab’s credibility and positioning within the healthcare sector.
- Spearheaded GE’s digital pathology market entry, driving adoption of the Omnyx Digital Pathology Solution, generating over $1.5 million in sales opportunities and expanding the company’s service portfolio.
- Executed a high-stakes business exit strategy, navigating GE’s divestment and Riyadh project closure, successfully recovering $950,000 from local partners while ensuring seamless stakeholder transition.
- Served as a GE Subject Matter Expert (SME) on process control, developing and delivering a two-day Quality Management System (QMS) training program, fostering operational excellence and compliance.
Strategy Consultant, Special Project
Creet Projects
Riyadh
01.2013 - 08.2013
- Led the strategic oversight of a $10M hospital operating room turnkey project, ensuring successful completion and handover within just 8 months, exceeding industry benchmarks for efficiency.
- Ensured full compliance with international Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, aligning construction, facility design, and operational workflows with global regulatory requirements.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between Creet, healthcare stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, ensuring smooth project execution and adherence to hospital infrastructure best practices.
- Directed project planning, execution, and commissioning phases, implementing robust quality control measures to optimize cost efficiency and delivery timelines.
Director of Laboratory Services
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
Jeddah
03.2003 - 01.2013
- Led and scaled the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Department, managing 120 personnel and 7 pathologists, transforming it into a premier regional reference lab with over 2 million tests performed annually, up from 400K/year.
- Drove strategic expansion into the private sector, collaborating with the CEO to establish a sustainable revenue stream, elevating annual earnings to $1.5 million and solidifying the lab’s leadership in specialized diagnostics.
- Executed multiple Lean Six Sigma projects, optimizing workforce utilization to handle 400% workload growth and 33% service expansion, achieving 11% cost savings while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Secured and maintained accreditations from CAP, AABB, and JCI, reinforcing operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and patient safety.
- Pioneered a fully integrated Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) system, enhancing patient care efficiency and diagnostic turnaround times.
- Developed specialized laboratory divisions, including the Molecular Infectious Disease Lab 2010, and Western Region’s first HLA Lab 2011, broadening diagnostic capabilities and transplantation services.
- Received the prestigious 2009 Arab Health Award for, Best Healthcare Initiatives and Development, recognizing innovative contributions to healthcare.
- Implemented a career ladder program, fostering professional growth, staff retention, and internal leadership development.
Lab Supervisor
Aurora Healthcare
Milwaukee
08.2000 - 03.2003
- Revamped Improved lab service satisfaction from the low 2.7/5.0 to 4.1/5.0.
- Improved Lab results TAT for Early Patient Discharge team from 80% by 10 am to 90% by 8 am.
- Hospital wide early patient discharges initiative success from average 2 pm to 10 am. Resulting in $20 Million increased revenue.
- Improved Emergency Lab results TAT and reduced blood amount draws significantly.
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
09.1999 - 01.2003
- Instructed undergraduate and graduate-level courses in Clinical Chemistry and Human Pathophysiology.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Lab Science and Healthcare Management
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
USA08.2000
Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology and Chemistry
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
USA05.1995
Skills
- Business growth
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Operations management
- Gene Therapy
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Budget Planning
- Change Management
- Leadership development
- Organizational growth
- Supply Chain Management
- Effective negotiation
- Team Building
- Effective communication
- Quality Control (QC)
- Quality Assurance (QA)
- Startup Development
- Budget management
- Public Speaking
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Market Analysis
- Manufacturing
- Data Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance
- Conflict Resolution
- Relationship Management
- Performance Management
- Multitasking Abilities
- Strategic partnerships
- Stakeholder engagement
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Controls (CMC)
Certification
- Certified Manager (CM)
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- CAP Inspector
Languages
- English, Fluency spoken and written
- Arabic, Fluency spoken and written
Affiliations
- Best Mentor of the Year Jan 2025.
- Innovative Award for Smart Log System development.
Accomplishments
- Gene Therapy - Viral Vector Scale-up success to from flasks to 500L bioreactor.
- Improving IVF fertility success rate from 28% to 58%.
- Patient Early Discharge from 2 pm to 10 am saving about $20 Million dollars and improving patient satisfaction
- Semi-Total lab automation with 400% workload efficiency.
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Arabic
Native/ Bilingual
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Site Head of Viral Vector Core cGMP
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
11.2018 - Current
Sr. Strategy and Business Development Consultant
Counterfeit Combat Technology (CCT)
02.2016 - 11.2018
Director of Operation and Process Consultant
GE Healthcare – Clarient Diagnostics
08.2013 - 02.2016
Sr. Strategy and Business Development Consultant
ABAvac Bio-Technology
01.2013 - 07.2018
Strategy Consultant, Special Project
Creet Projects
01.2013 - 08.2013
Director of Laboratory Services
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
03.2003 - 01.2013
Lab Supervisor
Aurora Healthcare
08.2000 - 03.2003
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
09.1999 - 01.2003
Master of Science - Clinical Lab Science and Healthcare Management
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology and Chemistry
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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