About
Daphna Fischel is a Research Analyst at DAFNA Capital Management LLC in Los Angeles, CA, where she specializes in evaluating investments primarily across the biotechnology and medical device sectors. At DAFNA, she leverages her scientific background to support long/short portfolio strategies focused on innovation in healthcare and life sciences.
Before joining DAFNA Capital Management in November 2023, Daphna worked for two years as a research assistant at Foresite Capital, a healthcare-focused private equity firm in New York. She also completed internships at Foresite Capital, Kite Pharma, the Cognitive Neuroscience Research Lab at Tel Aviv University, and DAFNA Capital, gaining a broad perspective on both public and private market investments within the healthcare space.
Daphna holds an MSc in Neurobiology and Neurosciences from Tel Aviv University, where she researched Parkinson’s Disease, as well as dual bachelor's degrees—a BA in Neurosciences and a BS in Business Administration—from the University of Southern California. Her expertise centers on applying rigorous scientific and financial analysis to investment decisions in the biomedical industry, with a strong focus on innovation-driven growth and due diligence in healthcare investing.
Career History
| Organization | Role | Date Range | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAFNA Capital Management, LLC | Research Analyst | Nov 2023 to Present | — |
| Foresite Capital | Research Assistant | Jul 2019 to Aug 2021 | • Researched and summarized biology, therapeutic landscape, and relevant publications for potential investments • Organized comparison sheets for efficacy and safety of existing treatments and those i... |
| Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University | MSc Student | Oct 2021 to Sep 2023 | • Advisor: Professor Uri Ashery • Thesis titled "Detection of Alpha-Synuclein Aggregates in Skin Biopsies of Parkinson’s Disease Patients Using Super Resolution Microscopy" |
| Foresite Capital | Research Assistant Intern | Jun 2018 to Aug 2018 | — |
| Kite Pharma, Inc. | Financial Planning and Analysis Intern | May 2017 to Aug 2017 | • Researched, analyzed and created presentations using SEC filings and company data • Automated excel budget templates and time tracking |
| Liad Mudrik's Cognitive Neuroscience Research Lab | Research Assistant Intern | Jun 2016 to Aug 2016 | • Worked on a meta-analysis on unconscious processing; researched, analyzed and categorized research papers investigating unconscious visual processing by using continuous flash suppression • In charg... |
| Camp Ramah in California | Counselor and Lifeguard | Jun 2014 to Aug 2014 | • Was chosen with three others to give a speech at the end of the summer to represent the first-year staff, consisting of about 70 members |
| DAFNA Capital Management, LLC | Research Analyst Intern | Jun 2013 to Aug 2013 | • Analyzed SEC filings, company data and analyst reports • Compared clinical data of various drugs for several diseases • Supported investment decisions for biotechnology and medical device companies |
Education
Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University
Master of Science - MS, Neurobiology and Neurosciences
2021 — 2023
University of Southern California
Business Administration (B.S.), Neuroscience (B.A.)
2015 — 2019
Harvard-Westlake School
Others at Dafna Capital Management LLC (1)
| Name | Role | Location |
|---|---|---|
 | Analyst | Los Angeles, CA , United States |