Tory Schaaf

Background

About Tory Schaaf

With over a decade of experience in translational research, assay development, and clinical trial management, my career has been shaped by roles across academia, industry, and the federal healthcare system. Previously, I served as Clinical Research Director at the Center for Veterans Research and Education, where I led multi-site clinical trials and secured federal and philanthropic funding to advance neurotrauma research. Throughout my career—from managing high-throughput screening platforms and mentoring scientists to designing cell-based assays for drug discovery—I’ve maintained a strong focus on mentorship, innovation, and scientific integrity. I’m passionate about bridging disciplines to develop technologies that directly impact patient care. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy teaching college-level biochemistry and chemistry, contributing to peer-reviewed publications, and supporting early-career scientists through mentorship and training.