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Dr. Ernest Mario has worked in drugstore pharmacy, research, and management in several pharmaceutical companies. He was named Chief Executive of Glaxo in 1989, when it was the second-largest drug company in the world. Dr. Mario led Glaxo’s growth as it introduced five major products to the market and grew profits by 15%. He served as CEO of ALZA Corporation from 1993 until it was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2001. He then served as CEO of Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. until its acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline.

Dr. Mario is Chairman of Soleno Therapeutics and a Venture Partner with Pappas Ventures in Research Triangle Park. He has served as a trustee of Rutgers University, the University of Rhode Island, and Duke University, where he was previously Chairman of the Duke University Health System.

Throughout his life Dr. Mario has been active in numerous charitable organizations that focus on education and healthcare, and continues to sit on the boards of a number of public and private companies. He served as a trustee of Rutgers, where the pharmacy school he attended now bears his name; the University of Rhode Island, where he earned his PhD in physical sciences; and Duke, where his 18 years of service was the longest tenure ever for a non-Duke family member.