Mike Avena
BS information systems ’19, entrepreneurship minor
Head of Information Technology, Ori Biotech (London)
Age 27
My Greatest Accomplishment
Becoming head of IT at such an early stage of my career with a company that is at the forefront of the innovative cell and gene therapy industry. Having joined a high-growth biotech startup immediately after graduation, I found myself working directly with senior leadership and earned a reputation for delivering outstanding solutions. I have been able to take the lessons learned to Ori Biotech as head of IT, where I support the mission of enabling patient access to curative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
How Drexel Helped Me
I credit my early career success to the challenges I navigated and the skills I learned during co-op and as the editor-in-chief of The Triangle. These positions gave me the opportunity to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real-world scenarios. The work I was involved in allowed me to develop robust problem-solving skills that have enabled me to excel at several fast-paced, early-stage startups.
Where I Hope to Be in Five Years
I hope to continue to advance my career working with exciting startups to build novel technologies that make our world better. My time in biotech has proven to me that small groups can develop major innovations, and I want to continue to play a key part in that.
How I Pay It Forward
In 2023, I helped formally found The Triangle Alumni Association. Along with three other Drexel alumni, I am donating time and expertise to mentor the staff members at Drexel’s independent student newspaper. We plan to advise on sustainable business models that will help them build a financially healthy organization that exhibits the highest standards of journalistic excellence. Given how important The Triangle was to my career, I want the next generation of students to continue to have the professional development opportunities that come from it well into the future.