Charlene Cho, JD, PhD, is Director and Corporate Counsel for Digital & Technology Law at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., (“Thermo Fisher”) a global supplier of life science instruments and analytical solutions known for its presence in research laboratories at universities, hospitals and government agencies around the world. Since 2010, Thermo Fisher has expanded into clinical research services, specialty diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology development. A Fortune 100 company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, Thermo Fisher recorded revenues in excess of $42B in 2023.
Dr. Cho is responsible for advising Thermo Fisher and its family of companies on a variety of digital products and services, including artificial intelligence, data governance, eCommerce and digital marketing. Her legal experience includes time in both the private and public sectors. Prior to Thermo Fisher, she was Senior Counsel at Johnson & Johnson, where she advised its Medical Device Companies on regulatory law issues as well as matters related to pending legislation and policy initiatives. Before moving in-house, Dr. Cho was Senior Counsel at the Office of Counsel to the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG), which works closely with the US Department of Justice to fight fraud, waste and abuse in the US health care system. She joined HHS-OIG after spending time counseling clients in private practice, first at Hyman Phelps and McNamara, PC and subsequently at Sidley Austin, LLP. Dr. Cho began her legal career at the US Food and Drug administration (FDA) counseling senior leadership about regulatory law matters, rulemaking and federal policies relating to biologics, medical devices, and combination products.
Dr. Cho earned her JD from Vanderbilt University Law School, her PhD in the Biological Sciences from the University of Chicago, and her BA in Psychology from Smith College.