Dr. Kukekov received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City.

The focus of his research was the molecular mechanism of programmed cell death in neuronal cells exposed to various stress conditions where he published numerous peer-review papers.

After his thesis defense and post-doctoral position at Columbia, he spent 20 years on Wall Street, where he held a number of investment banking position as a senior banker with Rodman & Renshaw, Gilford Securities, Summer Street Research Partners and others. He also was a managing director for Paramount Capital, a private equity firm from New York City where he oversaw more than 20 private and public companies in the portfolio. Later, he became a co-founder of a merchant bank Highline Research Advisors (HRA Capital) specializing on capital raising, M&A and IPO transactions for OTC and Nasdaq listed companies. Dr. Kukekov was also involved in establishing liquidity in capital markets by working with national stock exchanges and equity marketing firms.

In his most recent role, Dr. Kukekov served as the President and CEO of a private Canadian healthcare company involved in development of novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s.