UCSD - University of California - San Diego

06/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/11/2026 17:57

Horizon Accelerator Expands Advisory Board with Four New Members

Published Date

June 11, 2026

Article Content

UC San Diego's Horizon Accelerator has expanded its advisory board with four new appointments, whose experience spans venture capital, intellectual property (IP) law, public policy and technology. The new advisory board members are:

  • Douglas Cohen '08, data science manager, Figma
  • Dr. Lisa Haile, partner, DLA Piper
  • Jaime E.Lizárraga '88, former commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
  • Rachel Tsui '14, partner, The Council Capital

These appointments build on Horizon's founding advisory board, announced in December 2025, and reflect the program's continued effort to connect UC San Diego founders with seasoned advisors whose industry experience, insight and networks provide critical support to its ventures.

"The four new board members extend and expand the UC San Diego ecosystem by reinforcing Horizon's capacity to serve our university community as well as our ecosystem," said Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Corinne Peek-Asa. "We are beyond fortunate at UC San Diego to have the level of expertise and engagement with our innovation activities, and this input makes all the difference in our success."

Expanding Horizon's Impact Across the Region

Part of the UC San Diego innovation ecosystem, Horizon supports research-based startups as they move from early development toward growth and commercialization. The program works with companies after core foundations are established, including team formation, IP protection and initial validation. Since its launch, Horizon has supported 52 companies, with 29 currently in residence at the Design and Innovation Building. Portfolio ventures have collectively raised nearly $32 million.

Horizon's board expansion comes as San Diego continues to grow as a national center for innovation and entrepreneurship with a reported $3.6B raised in venture capital across equity financing rounds in 2025 according to Connect's 2026 Impact Report. UC San Diego produces 437 invention disclosures each year from approximately $1.7 billion in annual research funding, with 15 to 20 startups launched annually through the university's research enterprise.

The new advisors reflected on the opportunities and challenges involved in guiding research-based innovations from the lab to market.

"It is an honor to join Horizon's advisory board at a time when UC San Diego is producing so many promising founders, technologies and new ventures," Lizárraga said. "UC San Diego is a world-class Tier 1 research institution that attracts and develops extraordinary talent. The university's innovators are creating tremendous opportunity but must also grapple with complex policy, governance and regulatory challenges. I look forward to advising this next generation of UC San Diego founders and innovators as they navigate this evolving landscape."

"My experience with early-stage life sciences companies has focused on the intersection of science, IP and commercialization, where many promising companies either gain momentum or lose it," Haile said. "Founders often begin with extraordinary science, but building a successful company also requires a thoughtful strategy around patents, partnerships and long-term growth. As both a scientist and an IP attorney, I look forward to helping Horizon founders protect innovation, position technology for investment and build companies that can successfully scale."

Meet the New Advisory Board Members

Douglas Cohen '08

Data science manager, Figma

Douglas Cohen has nearly a decade of experience leading data science at Snap, where he oversaw analytics and experimentation across revenue, growth, and small and medium-sized business advertising. His previous experience includes work at Facebook and Instagram. Cohen's background in machine learning, product experimentation and data infrastructure will support Horizon companies developing AI, software and other data-driven technologies. His appointment underscores the growing importance of data and analytics across science- and technology-based ventures.

Dr. Lisa Haile

Partner, DLA Piper

Dr. Lisa Haile brings 35 years of experience in life sciences and IP law, along with a postdoctoral background in molecular biology. At DLA Piper, she advises clients on patent portfolio strategy, regulatory positioning, and the IP aspects of venture financing, mergers and acquisitions across the biotech and medtech sectors. Her experience in science, law and commercialization will support Horizon companies working in therapeutics, diagnostics and biotechnology.

Jaime E.Lizárraga '88

Former SEC commissioner, advisor, Range Finance, Inc.

Jaime Lizárraga has 34 years of federal service, including a Senate-confirmed appointment as commissioner at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and 14 years as a senior adviser to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. His experience in public policy and regulation is particularly relevant to Horizon's portfolio of dual-use technologies, critical infrastructure companies and ventures operating in areas shaped by capital markets and federal policy. His appointment highlights Horizon's continued focus on navigating the space between innovation, regulation and government policy.

Rachel Tsui '14

Partner, The Council Capital

Rachel Tsui is a healthcare investor and operator with experience across both venture capital and health technology companies. She previously served as head of customer success at Komodo Health, where she helped scale a new business unit to account for roughly one-third of the company's revenue. At The Council Capital, she focuses on investments in healthcare technology and business-to-business (B2B) software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. Her experience in the Bay Area startup and investment community brings additional industry connections to Horizon's advisory board.

"Clearly, the strength of this board is its range," concluded Horizon's Managing Director Shane Moise. "IP law, federal regulatory policy, venture investing and data science are increasingly vital to the growth of science-driven companies. That is why we are beyond grateful to have advisors who have operated at the frontier of each and why we are so excited to see that expertise translate into opportunities for students, faculty and founders across the university."

Investors and strategic advisors interested in engaging with Horizon's portfolio can learn more at beyondhorizon.ucsd.edu. Additional information about the Office of Innovation and Commercialization is available at oic.ucsd.edu.

Want to see what other accelerator programs are available at UC San Diego? Explore all the university innovation programs today!​​​​​​

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