Our Board
Craig Vincze, PhD, is Max’s father and the president of the Max Vincze Foundation. With a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, Craig has built a 25-year career in the drug discovery and biotechnology sectors, serving top researchers around the globe. He is currently the co-founder of a company that provides innovative drug, cell, and gene therapy manufacturing equipment and software to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and cell and gene therapy companies. Craig’s multidisciplinary expertise spans biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, and electrical engineering, and he has held leadership roles in both startup and established companies focused on advancing life-saving therapies.
This extensive industry experience puts Dr. Vincze in a unique position to identify and communicate with research teams on the cutting edge of cancer science—especially those whose projects have made significant strides and are ready to advance to phase one clinical trials, including those poised for government funding support. As Max’s father, his personal commitment drives the foundation’s mission to back promising, underfunded research in rare and young adult cancers, ensuring that the projects supported by the Max Vincze Foundation are not only innovative but also positioned for real clinical impact
Suzanne Vincze, is Max’s mom and the Vice President of the foundation. Following a successful 20-year career as an Art Director in advertising and marketing, she co-founded the Max Vincze Foundation with her husband and son Ben in memory of their beloved son Max, who passed away from NUT carcinoma in 2021.
As a dedicated advocate for rare cancer research, she has guided the foundation to fund crucial NUT carcinoma research initiatives at leading institutions including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, University of North Carolina, and Stanford University. Her advocacy extends beyond funding to raising awareness about NUT carcinoma and championing the critical importance of supporting rare cancer research.
She currently serves on the Targeting Fusion Oncoprotein in Childhood Cancers (TFCC) Steering Committee for the National Cancer Institute and has contributed to the development of Nevada's first pediatric and adolescent/young adult cancer plan through the Nevada Cancer Coalition. Additionally, she has helped establish the NUT Carcinoma Alliance to further strengthen the research and support network for this rare cancer.
She resides in Reno, Nevada with her husband, where they continue their mission to honor Max's legacy through meaningful advances in rare cancer research and patient advocacy.
Ben Vincze is Max's younger brother. Ben graduated summa cum laude from California Lutheran University in May 2023 with a degree in Biochemistry. Following graduation, he dedicated a year to volunteering at City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles, serving on the street medicine team in south Anaheim helping the homeless and those struggling with addiction, and volunteering for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) at registry recruitment events held at universities throughout Southern California. From May 2024 to May 2025, Ben gained valuable clinical experience working at Focus Eye Center. He is now preparing to begin medical school at the University of Nevada, Reno in August 2025, where his experience with his brother continues to inspire his commitment to evidence-based medicine and scientific research.
Marqui Hood, Max’s aunt, is a civil rights and employment attorney practicing in Beverly Hills, California. She received her J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles and her B.A. from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. After graduating from law school, Ms. Hood clerked on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for the Hon. Raymond Fisher. She now runs her own firm, Durkin & Hood, LLP committed to social justice and defending the civil rights of workers throughout the southland. Ms. Hood is a dedicated advocate for the many causes she is passionate about. She has taught constitutional law to students at Los Angeles High School through a grant from the Constitutional Rights Foundation, served as president of her neighborhood association and led significant fundraising projects at local schools. She grew up roaming the halls her father's biology laboratory at Caltech and has witnessed first hand that, with the right resources, scientific ingenuity can solve even the most complex medical mysteries.
Steven Cates is currently Vice President of Research & Development at Repligen Corporation. He brings more than 30+ years of biopharmaceuticals industry experience to the table, most of which has been focused on the design and manufacturing of systems for processing of biologics. Steven started his career as an Engineering Services Manager at Sartorius Corporation leading the engineering operations for process filtration and analytical equipment. He then progressed to Systems Engineering Management specializing specifically on the design and fabrication of custom engineered bioprocessing systems. Steven further advanced his expertise on custom engineered systems as the Vice President of Engineering, Systems and Operations at Alpha Bio. A founding member at Artesyn Biosolutions, he oversaw the global design and development of single-use bioprocess systems from R&D and process development down to manufacturing and implementation. Steven has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Sonoma State College and an MS in Molecular Biology from Stanford University.
