Rebecca Rosales joined NCIRE leadership in January, 2017 and brings extensive experience in Administration and Grants & Contracts Management and Compliance, including Manager of Contracts & Grants at Public Health Institute, and Associate Director, Research Administration at the UCSF, Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland.  She received a Bachelor of Science, Business Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Business Administration, Executive Program from St. Mary’s College of California.  As NCIRE’s Executive Director, she leads an administrative staff dedicated to supporting over 200 SFVAHCS physician/researchers who investigate and treat the wide range of diseases and disabilities suffered by millions of Veterans.

Joanna Zhao joined NCIRE as an Accountant in 1998 and advanced to her current position as Controller, overseeing Payroll and Accounting Department. She received a Bachelor of Science, Accounting, from Golden Gate University, and a Master of Business Administration, Finance, from San Francisco State University. Her areas of professional expertise include financial reporting, budgeting and analyses, and not-for-profit accounting.  She was appointed in June 2018 to serve as Interim Secretary and Treasurer for the NCIRE Board of Directors. 

Dr. Swanson is Chief of the Neurology and Rehabilitation Service at the SFVAHCS, and Professor and Vice Chair of Neurology at UCSF.  At SFVAHCS, Dr. Swanson heads a neuroscience research laboratory with a focus on neuronal injury and survival mechanisms.  His research focuses on the causes, treatment, and prevention of brain cell death after trauma, stroke, or hypoglycemia. He also directs a VA Research Enhancement Award Program that explores combinational approaches to improve recovery after ischemic stroke and brain trauma in animal models.  Dr. Swanson was Chair of the NCIRE Board of Directors from January 2007 through December 2009.  His BS and MD degrees are from the University of Michigan.