Ryan J. Watts, Ph.D., is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Denali Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing transformative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Watts has been instrumental in steering the company since its inception, leveraging his extensive experience in neuroscience and drug development. Before founding Denali, he spent over a decade at Genentech, where he held various leadership roles, including Senior Director of Neuroscience. During his tenure at Genentech, Dr. Watts played a key role in advancing several drug candidates into clinical development, significantly contributing to the company's neuroscience pipeline. Dr. Watts earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed his postdoctoral training at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease. His academic and research background has been pivotal in guiding Denali's strategic focus on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. Under his leadership, Denali has established collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies and secured significant funding to support its research and development efforts. Dr. Watts is also recognized for his contributions to the scientific community, having authored numerous publications and serving on advisory boards for several organizations dedicated to advancing neuroscience research. As the CEO of Denali Therapeutics, Dr. Watts is committed to translating cutting-edge science into effective treatments for patients with devastating neurological conditions. His vision for the company is to build a robust portfolio of therapies that address the underlying causes of neurodegenerative diseases, ultimately improving the lives of those affected. His leadership has been crucial in fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration at Denali, positioning the company at the forefront of the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.