# Maria Beconi

> Maria G. Beconi is a Bedford, Massachusetts-based scientist, founder and research executive. Her career includes Merck, Abbott, CHDI Foundation, Retrophin, Goldfinch Bio, Disc Medicine and ZielBio. She founded KAB DMPK Strategies, holds a doctorate from Michigan State University, is listed as Chief Scientific Officer Advisor at FireWheel Bio, and currently lists Neli Therapeutics, formerly Kolm Therapeutics, on LinkedIn.

- **Role:** Chief Scientific Officer Advisor at FireWheel Bio
- **Organizations:** FireWheel Bio, Neli Therapeutics (formerly Kolm Therapeutics), Atlas Venture (reported venture-building affiliation), KAB DMPK Strategies, LLC, ZielBio, Disc Medicine, Goldfinch Bio, Retrophin (now Travere Therapeutics), CHDI Foundation, Abbott Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Research Labs, Upjohn/Pharmacia/Monsanto
- **Education:** BS, Agricultural Engineering, University of Buenos Aires, Master’s, Animal Science/Statistics, University of Kentucky, PhD, Biochemistry/Chemistry, Michigan State University
- **Known for:** Built Retrophin’s discovery research and early development team, infrastructure and portfolio., Supported more than 30 successful international regulatory submissions and registrations, according to employer biographies., Authored or co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and meeting presentations, according to ZielBio’s January 2022 announcement.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2013** — Held research and leadership roles at Upjohn/Pharmacia/Monsanto, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott and CHDI; founded KAB DMPK Strategies.
- **2013** — Joined Retrophin as Vice President of Preclinical Development; later served as Chief Scientific Officer.
- **2017** — Appointed Vice President of Pharmacology and Non-clinical Development at Goldfinch Bio in September.
- **2020** — Identified as SVP of Translational Research and Development at Disc Medicine in its December meeting announcement.
- **2022** — Appointed Chief Science Officer at ZielBio on January 20.
- **2026 (observed)** — FireWheel Bio lists her as Chief Scientific Officer Advisor; LinkedIn lists Neli Therapeutics, formerly Kolm Therapeutics. Start dates and Neli title are not publicly confirmed in the reviewed pages.

## Achievements

- Built Retrophin’s discovery research and early development team, infrastructure and portfolio.
- Supported more than 30 successful international regulatory submissions and registrations, according to employer biographies.
- Authored or co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and meeting presentations, according to ZielBio’s January 2022 announcement.
- Founded independent scientific consultancy KAB DMPK Strategies, LLC.
- Won her age group in the two-mile Mighty Merrimack Swim on August 6, 2017.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Research check: FireWheel Bio’s public team page lists Beconi as Chief Scientific Officer Advisor; this is an observation date, not an appointment announcement.
- **2026-10** — Research check: her public LinkedIn profile lists Neli Therapeutics (formerly Kolm Therapeutics), based in Bedford, Massachusetts; no current Neli title is visible.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-beconi

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/maria-beconi
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-10