DLF Science Advisory Board Spotlight
Dan Lewis Foundation | Fall 2023

Judy Carmody, Ph.D., is a leading figure in the life sciences industry, boasting a rich career characterized by innovation, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to improving quality and safety in pharmaceutical products. As the founder and Principal Consultant of Carmody Quality Solutions, LLC, she spearheads initiatives that champion patient safety and deliver quality products to a diverse client base, ranging from life science startups to global Fortune 500 organizations.


Before establishing herself as a prominent consultant, Dr. Carmody held the prestigious position of president at Avatar Pharmaceutical Services, a GMP and FDA-registered contract research organization and manufacturer. During her tenure, she guided the company to heights that culminated in its acquisition by Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2010. This pivotal moment paved the way for her to assume senior-level roles in various pharmaceutical firms, further honing her expertise in constructing robust quality systems. Dr. Carmody’s roots in the industry stretch back to a decade-long stint in the (bio)pharmaceutical sector before founding Avatar. Here, she was instrumental in developing methods for small molecules and oligonucleotides, in addition to managing QC, Analytical, and Validation groups. Her drive to innovate also led her to a position at Waters Corporation in their Applied Technology and Marketing groups. This role saw her collaborating closely with colleagues and clients alike, fostering the development of novel separation methods that she then brought to market through a series of published papers and presentations at global conferences and leading (bio)pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Carmody’s scientific acumen forms the backbone of her approach to tackling complex quality and analytical challenges. Her extensive resume, which encompasses roles in applied technology, marketing, bench chemistry, validation, and quality management, has equipped her with a unique perspective that facilitates the development of creative, integrative solutions for her clients. This experience enables her to weave technologies from a range of fields into cohesive, clientoriented solutions.


Beyond her professional pursuits, Dr. Carmody is a proactive member of the scientific community, currently DLF Science Advisory Board Spotlight serving on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Dan Lewis Foundation for Brain Regeneration Research. In this role, she actively contributes to advancing research in the realm of traumatic brain injury repair and regeneration. Her genuine interest in fostering groundbreaking research in this area underscores her broader commitment to enhancing quality of life and advancing the field of medical science.


Dr. Carmody is a proud alumna of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she earned her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, a discipline that has served as the foundation for her prolific career.

Two women embrace, comforted. A man watches from a separate chair. Interior, daytime.

What Does “Ambiguous Loss” Mean?

By Hal Lewis • December 5, 2025
My daughter, currently nearing completion of a graduate program in counselling, recently introduced me to the term “ambiguous loss”. This term applies to a loss that is unclear and lacks certainty, leaving family members and close friends feeling stuck because it is so difficult to mourn or find closure. One type of ambiguous loss is when the person is physically present but psychologically absent because their personality, memory, cognition, or emotional connection has been altered. Examples might include a family member with dementia, a progressive disease, a severe emotional disorder, or substantial brain injury. A second type of ambiguous loss is when the person is psychologically present but physically absent. This could include a missing person due to a natural disaster, a long- term incarceration, a kidnapping, or severe estrangement from the family. This type of loss can lead to intense confusion, frozen grief, and a prolonged sense of helplessness.
Marchell smiling, sitting on a couch, holding notebooks

Marchell’s Story

By Dan Lewis Foundation • December 2, 2025
Marchell is an engaging and energetic middle-aged man who was enthusiastic about being interviewed for the DLF newsletter. He is an activist working to promote the rights and well-being of persons in the brain injury community, with a particular emphasis on helping persons with brain injury who are incarcerated or have been released from prison. Marchell is a successful businessman, proud of the company he co-founded--the Association of Young Business Owners (AYBOS), a marketing company in the Denver, Colorado area. He also works for Well Power (Denver’s Mental Health Center system) as a Zero Suicide Certified Peer and Family Specialist.  Marchell is clearly a man on the move to get a lot of positive things done. But this wasn’t always the case. Marchell spent much of his younger adult life incarcerated himself for a variety of crimes including robbery and assault. He had a history of recidivism following multiple releases.