Christine Brennan

Cass Carrier:

Christine Brennan, venture capitalist, neuroscientist, gemologist and soon-to-be Antarctica -adventurer.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work.  I currently make investments into early-stage biotechnology companies with innovative new ways to tackle diseases. With my training in science, this provides a way to feed my curiosity about how diseases occur, how they can be treated or stopped, how we can find medicines faster, and how we can provide healthcare for everyone. 

2.  What inspires you to do what you do?  The question “why?” inspires me. I don’t remember a time when I wasn't "experimenting" - from poking fungus on trees to catching fireflies and wondering not just how they lit up, but why the hell they lit up? I got my first microscope when I was 10 and found the world beyond our natural sight, which led me to wonder even more about how things worked. As I got older, I became more inspired by the need for better healthcare and toyed with the idea of becoming a medical doctor. In college, I found the science labs. What a rush! Now I could ask why biology worked a particular way and then run experiments to try and find answers. I was so intrigued that I pursued my doctorate in neuroscience. Today, I’m still inspired by “why?” but my curiosity extends beyond science and I am asking why there isn’t more diversity and why society isn’t equitable? I’m working to find ways to contribute to make changes that can benefit everyone. 

3.  What is something you’d like to learn? One of my hobbies is photography and I love learning more about light, exposure, and composition -- capturing a picture that tells a story.  

4.  If you could travel right now, where would you go? Antarctica!  We had to postpone our trip scheduled for 2020 but we’re hopeful to get there in 2021.

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?  I like wearing something comfortable, usually jeans and a shirt but I’m a huge gem/jewelry fan so I never feel fully dressed unless I am wearing a necklace, earrings, and rings - at a minimum. 

6.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)?

My must-haves include my phone, wallet, pen, nail file, tissues, and now during the pandemic an extra mask, sanitizing lotion and disposable gloves. Yet somehow my bag fills up with eyeglass cases, a small cosmetic bag and various earbuds for my phone, iPad, and computer.

Off The Cuff: 

Rock Or Rap?  Rock

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Mountain

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Cocktail

Exercise Nay Or Yah?  Yah

Butter Or Olive Oil?  Olive Oil

Tea Or Coffee?  Coffee

Pen Or Pencil?  Pen

Nude Or painted lips?  Painted

Reality Show Or Documentary?  Documentary

Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Milk Chocolate 

Thank you Christine!