Desnor Chigumba

Venture Analyst

Desnor brings to Innovation Partnerships a unique blend of scientific expertise and entrepreneurial acumen in the life sciences sector. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from the University of Michigan, complemented by a Graduate Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Throughout her diverse experiences in industry and academia, Desnor has demonstrated expertise in assay development and multi-omics for drug discovery, including developing a multi-omics platform for plant cyclic peptide discovery.

As the Co-founder and Co-Managing Director of Nucleate Michigan, Desnor led the flagship accelerator program, Activator, fostering partnerships within the Michigan life science ecosystem. Currently serving as a Venture Analyst at the University of Michigan’s Innovation Partnerships, she supports due diligence and fund management for the Accelerate Blue Fund and the Michigan University Innovation Capital Fund (MUICF). Desnor leverages her expertise in biotechnology and venture creation to evaluate and support early-stage business development efforts for university research technologies and startup spinouts. She aims to serve as a valuable bridge between cutting-edge scientific innovation and impactful commercialization in the life sciences sector.