Seasoned entrepreneur, biotech executive, and venture capitalist, Christy Shaffer, Ph.D. has over 30 years of experience in the life sciences industry. Following her experience as a clinical scientist and project leader at Burroughs Wellcome, Christy joined Inspire Pharmaceuticals based in Research Triangle Park, NC at the time of the Glaxo Wellcome merger. Under her leadership, Inspire went public and was named “Best Place to Work for Scientists” by The Scientist magazine, and “Best Place to Work in North Carolina” prior to the acquisition by Merck. She has served on 12 non-profit boards, most include chronic disease foundations or those that support science and innovation. She joined Hatteras in 2011 as the Managing Director of Hatteras Discovery and became a General Partner in 2016. She has served on 10 corporate boards, including 3 public boards, as well as Research Triangle International, a global research institute based in RTP. She has worked across a variety of therapeutic areas as a scientist or investor, including ophthalmology, pulmonary, oncology and immunology. She is currently serving on 4 corporate boards.