Swati Naphade, PhD, Founder

Transforming science
for accelerated breakthroughs

Swati Naphade, PhD

Scientific Consultant & Founder

Fearless Science. Bold Innovation. Transformative Success.

Phoenix Scientific provides contract-based scientific support and strategic guidance to help biotech organizations advance innovation from concept to clinic. We support projects at any stage, from strategy development through hands-on implementation, with engagements that can be structured as consulting, contract, or hybrid support delivered on-site, remotely, or through a flexible combination of both.

Our expertise spans therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, aging, autoimmune conditions, and rare disorders. We bring experience across preclinical in vitro and in vivo platforms, precision medicine, biomarkers, AI and machine learning-enabled R&D across diverse therapeutic modalities.

At Phoenix Scientific, we help organizations identify the missing pieces, align scientific and strategic priorities, and bring clarity to complex challenges. Our distinctive, intuitive approach is rooted in fearless, calculated exploration, combined with a flexible willingness to thoughtfully push boundaries, question assumptions, and connect dots others often overlook. We don’t just think outside the box—we help reframe the way challenges are approached, opening new paths to innovation and insight.

Through flexible consulting and contract partnerships, we help create a sustainable competitive edge and a culture of progress that positions your organization to lead with purpose and impact. Please refer to the Services page for additional details.

Services

Through a transformed way of doing science, clients gain significant cost and time savings, and an empowered team that truly works together, creating a strengthened competitive advantage for their organization.

Scientific Approach
& Implementation

Project / Program
Management

Writing
& Communication

Scientific Mentoring
& Operational Leadership

Business
Development

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Swati Naphade, PhD

Founder

Scientific Consultant & Founder

Swati has over 20 years of experience researching and advancing therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, aging, autoimmune, and rare disorders. Her career spans both academia and biotech startups, where she has built research infrastructures, led cross-functional teams, and advanced scientific programs from early discovery toward IND filing.

Recognized for her strategic mindset and collaborative leadership, Swati supports impactful science through her company, Phoenix Scientific, and is driven by a deep passion for improving patients’ lives.

More About Swati

  • “Swati has deep knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases and a strong track record of leading target discovery, validation, and drug discovery. She is careful with data, makes thoughtful decisions, and keeps a high bar for scientific quality. What I appreciate most about Swati is her initiative and creativity—she is often the first to suggest a new idea, platform, or technology that could move the science forward, and she is willing to take ownership to make those ideas real. She is an excellent communicator and presenter and consistently brings a solutions-oriented mindset. As a leader, Swati set a clear direction, encouraged open discussion, built a collaborative and respectful team culture, and fostered growth. I strongly recommend her to any organization looking for a strategic scientific leader, trusted partner, and consultant.”

    ~ Chao Wang, Principal Scientist, Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Verge Genomics

  • “Swati is one of those rare colleagues who combines deep scientific expertise with genuine drive and heart. She consistently takes initiative, steps up to challenges with resilience, and is determined to get things done and make a real difference. Her strong background in neuroscience and next-generation sequencing was a huge asset to every project we worked on, and she always approached problems with both rigor and creativity. Beyond her skills, Swati is a thoughtful, collaborative teammate who makes the people around her better, and she is well poised to continue making significant impact as a trusted advisor and consultant.”

    ~ Ningzhe Zhang, PhD, Director, CNS Drug Discovery, Simcere Pharmaceutical Group

  • “Swati is a highly resourceful, productive, and passionate scientist, skilled at managing multiple projects across diverse scientific areas and consistently delivering high-quality results. Her attention to detail, exceptional writing and presentation abilities, and clarity of communication allow her to convey complex data with impact. With strong organizational skills and the ability to quickly master new concepts and technologies, she is an invaluable collaborator and consultant, well poised to make a tangible difference and deliver measurable impact.”

    ~ Lisa Ellerby, PhD, Professor, Buck Institute for Research on Aging

  • “It was a pleasure collaborating with Swati to co-organize and moderate a highly successful Neuroscience Symposium. She demonstrated deep subject matter expertise, exceptional communication skills, and an engaging presence throughout every stage of planning and execution. Her captivating opening presentation set the tone for the event, drawing in the audience and fostering enthusiasm and engagement. Swati’s meticulous planning, proactive approach, and attention to detail ensured the symposium ran seamlessly and earned wide praise from participants. Beyond her organizational strengths, she is a cordial, dependable, and creative collaborator who brings strategic thinking and fresh perspectives that elevate any project she undertakes. Her combination of professionalism, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skill makes her not only an outstanding partner for scientific initiatives but also a trusted advisor and consultant.”

    ~ Songli Wang, MD, PhD, CEO and Founder, BioEdge Global LLC

  • “Incredibly talented scientist with deep expertise in neuroscience and genomics. Consistently takes initiative to launch new projects and push science forward. Fantastic collaborator — thoughtful, insightful, and positive presence on every team.”

    ~ Raj Bhatnagar, PhD, Lead of Computational Biology, Nautilus Biotechnology

  • “Swati will get it done — even if it hasn’t been done before. Her deep knowledge across diverse scientific areas and relentless drive make her an invaluable asset to any organization. In meetings, she consistently contributes insightful ideas, and in the lab, she guides their execution with clarity, precision, and speed. Swati holds herself and those around her to the highest standards, and working with her is both motivating and inspiring, pushing teams to think bigger and perform at their best.”

    ~ Katherine Kurylo, Senior Scientist, Marea Therapeutics

  • “I had the pleasure of working at Verge Genomics with Swati, where she focused on several neurodegeneration research projects, and I was consistently impressed by her exceptional attention to detail and unwavering dedication. Swati brings deep technical expertise and precision to every project, ensuring that results are both reliable and reproducible. Her focus and commitment to quality were key in advancing our understanding of complex cellular mechanisms. Swati's expertise makes her an invaluable contributor to any drug discovery project that demands rigor and thoroughness.”

    ~ Shannon Stone, Director of Portfolio Talent at The Column Group