Dr. Deborah J. Arrindell ’79

Dr. Deborah J. Arrindell

Cornell degree: BS ’79 (CALS)

“I think one of the most important issues facing the Cornell University Board of Trustees is ensuring that the university is in a position to attract the best students and top faculty, in order to support the university’s mission statement of “learning, discovery, and engagement.” Key to this issue is encouraging alumni to give back to the university.”

Professional experience:

  • Vice President, Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management, Global Blood Therapeutics, 2020 –present
  • Executive Medical Director, Amgen Inc., 2008–2020
  • Senior Director, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, 2004–2008
  • Director Pharmacovigilance, Wyeth Laboratories, 2002–2004
  • Medical Director, Roche Laboratories, 2000–2002
  • Intern Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine
  • Resident, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  • Resident/Fellow, Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Staff Anesthesiologist, HMO

Alumni service:

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Advisory Council, Nominations Committee member, 2021–present; member, 2019–present
  • Cornell Mosaic, Programming Committee Co-chair, 2019–present; member at large, 2018–present
  • Class of 1979 Annual Fund Representative, 2019–present; Class Council, 2009–2014
  • Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, Chair, 2020–present; member, 2012–present
  • President’s Council of Cornell Women, sustaining member, 2014–present; member, 2008–2014
  • Black Biomedical and Technical Association’s Annual Winter Conference, speaker, recurring
  • Minority Student Mentoring Program
  • CALS Outstanding Alumni Award recipient, 2021
  • Featured in CALS magazine, My Cornell story, 2020
  • Cornell University Council, member, 2016–2020, 2010–2014
  • Cornell on Martha’s Vineyard, event host, 2018–2019
  • 40th Reunion Campaign, member, 2018–2019
  • West Coast Town Hall with Michelle Vaeth ’98, speaker, 2018
  • Cornell Black Alumni Association (CBAA), lifetime member; Reunion Chair, 2017–2018; Regional Director Los Angeles, 2012–2015; Vice President Programming, 2009–2012
  • Cornell Club of Los Angeles, 2011–2017; scholarship dinner host, 2015, 2017; CBAA representative, 2011–2016; Sesquicentennial Los Angeles advisor, 2015
  • Cornell Alumni Association, Director at large, 2007–2011
  • James and Janice Turner Scholarship, Endowment Scholarship Co-chair, 2010
  • Cornell Alumni Federation, Grant Committee member, 2009–2010; Committee on Alumni Federation Nominations member, 2007–2010

Community/public service/philanthropic priorities:

  • Chief, founding member
  • Cross World Africa, Livestock Project in Kamariny Village, Kenya
  • Women of Color in Pharma

Other education (if applicable):

  • Juris Doctorate, University of Maryland, 1997
  • Master of Public Health, Yale University, 1984
  • Doctor of Medicine, Yale University, 1984

Student involvements/activities:

  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA)
  • Black Biomedical and Technical Association

Additional information:

I was born and raised on Staten Island, New York, and started out in the Cornell College of Arts and Sciences, but graduated in 1979 with a BS in biology from CALS. I then went on to Yale University School of Medicine, where I earned an MD and MPH. I did two years of pediatric training before completing a residency and fellowship in anesthesia and critical care at Johns Hopkins Medical Center located in Baltimore, Maryland. I practiced medicine for a number of years before deciding to go to the University of Maryland School of Law to obtain a JD. After completion of law school and passing the bar, I made the decision to leave medicine and join the biopharmaceutical industry where I have been for about 20 years. I am currently vice president of Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management at Global Blood Therapeutics, whose mission is to provide a global, functional cure for patients living with sickle cell anemia.