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Meet Our

Board of Buzz

These incredible people are helping to shape the future of our community.  

BioHealth Capital Region
Greater Philadelphia
Research Triangle Park

Our Board of Buzz represents a variety of industry sectors and some of “the best of” BioBuzz. BioBuzz’s Board of Buzz is responsible for assisting in the strategic direction of BioBuzz within their respective ecosystem, directly impacting our community and creating opportunities for our Ambassadors of Buzz and larger community.

BioHealth Capital Region

We are thrilled to launch our Board of Buzz with a stacked roster of BioBuzz-ers in the BioHealth Capital Region. 

Amy Adelman House

Baltimore, MD

Head of Portfolio Strategy, Beacon Therapeutics

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Amy Adelman House

Board of Buzz Chair

Amy House has over 20 years of experience in health care and the life sciences in roles across industry, academia and managment consulting. Currently, she is Head of Portfolio Strategy at Beacon Therapeutics, an ophthalmic gene therapy company founded in 2023. Previously, she was Chief of Staff to the Chief Medical Officer at Gyroscope Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company acquired by Novartis in 2022, where she also served as the Gyroscope Integration and Transition Lead post-acquisition.

Amy also has experience in academia, where she developed and managed strategic collaborations for faculty with industry partners and investors at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures. In addition, she spent several years in management consulting, working with healthcare organizations and life sciences companies at all stages of development. Amy leverages her broad experience to bridge communication between research, the clinic and commercial. She is a collaborative team builder, leader, and player committed to mentoring team members at all levels, improving ways of working and creating a positive work culture. Amy has an MBA from Duke University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.

Arielle Garcia

Baltimore, MD

Graduate Student - Bioinformatics, Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs

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Arielle Garcia, MS

The XYZ Lead

Arielle Garcia is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. She is a United States Air Force veteran and current student at Johns Hopkins University pursuing a Master of Science in Bioinformatics.

Arielle moved to Baltimore to participate as a Nucleate Activator 2023 Cohort with the venture team 4D Genomics. The Activator program is designed to equip the next generation of bioentrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take their ideas from lab-to-market. 4D Genomics did exceptionally well, taking home two of the five awards in the DEI and High Impact categories.

Although the Activator program is over, Arielle knew she wanted to continue being in the entrepreneurial space. The XYZ provides a platform to highlight bioentrepreneurs that are impacting the community, both locally and globally. She is looking forward to amplifying the voices of innovators and displaying the diversity of life science start-ups in the BioHealth Capital Region.

Cassandra Pollard

Rockville, MD

Quality Control Associate II, Charles River Laboratories

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Cassandra Pollard

Buzzin' Brood

My name is Cassandra Pollard and I am an alumni of the UMBC translational life science technologies program.

Throughout my academic career I have been fascinated with biotechnology and the great advancements it has achieved throughout the years. It fed my passion in my career and solidified my career goals. Through BioBuzz I want to share this field and its opportunities with students, as well as aid them on their academic and career journeys.

Desmond Grimes

Winston-Salem, NC

Business Development and Account Manager, InfoPathways

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Desmond Grimes

Buzzin' Brood

Hi! My name is Desmond Grimes! I am currently the Business Development and Account manager for InfoPathways Inc. based here in Winston-Salem, NC. Before joining InfoPathways, I worked with multiple life science organizations such as Bioqual and Pharmaron.

I am also a graduate of Hood College with a degree in Sociology and Business Administration. During my time in college I was also a member of the Hood College NCAA Baseball team and orientation team.

I am passionate about helping emerging talent find their place within the workforce. I have worked in talent acquisition and know how difficult it can be for entry-level and new graduates to find their career path. My goal is to help empower all emerging talent find what their passion may be.

Jason Corbiere

Raleigh, NC

Business Development Manager, Astrea Bioseparations

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Jason Corbiere

Programs & Events Co-Lead

Like most folks in the biotech world, I had a strong interest in biological sciences and technology from an early age. So, throughout my schoolyears, I decided I wanted to explore this interest, firstly by being intending to be a doctor, then a teacher, and finally a researcher.

After getting my degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Rutgers University, I worked in research labs for a few years, firstly investigating crystallization properties of E. Coli RNA Polymerase and then the genetic mechanisms of C. Elegans neuronal cell death. It was my intention to continue down the path towards academia.

When the 2008 Financial Crisis hit, I had moved to Florida and was unable to find any research labs hiring in my area, so I took a ‘short-term’ job in business development in an unrelated field.

Something completely unexpected happened: I discovered that I loved this new career; it people-centricity, learning details about customer processes, and the compelling nature of finding solutions to real-world problems. I don’t know why I never considered business as an option when thinking about my career, but soon couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

To catch you up to today, six months ago I joined Astrea Bioseparations as a member of their commercial team, helping introduce next-generation adsorbents, columns, and column-packing services to Downstream Processing Scientists throughout the bioprocessing industry.

Karen Haslbeck, SPHR

Baltimore - Washington, DC

President, HRx Consulting, LLC

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Karen Haslbeck, SPHR

The XYZ Co-Lead

Karen Haslbeck is a highly experienced and accomplished Human Resources leader with over 20 years of experience, including 15 years in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

She has been instrumental in building commercial, corporate, and scientific teams at all levels implementing successful Organizational Development initiatives to build and retain both culture and people.

Karen is an accomplished HR leader who has directed organizational planning and development through strategic initiatives and programs. She has managed talent selection practices, process improvements, staff development, and employee relations in all stages of growth. She is an innovator, creating dynamic policies, programs, and initiatives to optimize employee morale and boost retention and satisfaction while providing ongoing advisement and feedback to senior management teams.

Karen establishes solid and trusting partnerships through exceptional relationship-building skills, utilizing positive energy and interpersonal abilities to secure employee and management trust making her an ideal resource for businesses looking to optimize their HR function and build a strong, successful team.

Laura Frew

Baltimore, MD

Senior Recruiter, Workforce Genetics

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Laura Frew

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Co-Lead

Laura is a dedicated professional with a strong commitment to aiding others in their personal and professional journeys. Armed with a dual Master's degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology and years of experience as a therapist, Laura's career has been defined by her unyielding desire to make a positive impact. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she transitioned from the world of therapy to the realm of business, and she has never looked back.

Having earned her Bachelor's and dual Master's degrees in psychology, Laura's educational background laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors. She initially ventured into the field of mental health, providing therapy and support to those in need. Her innate passion for helping people compelled her to excel in this role, and her dedication garnered respect within the industry.

Laura's professional journey took a new direction when she decided to explore the world of insurance sales, driven by her aspiration to provide families with financial security. She poured her heart into this mission, striving to make a difference in people's lives during times of vulnerability. However, the demanding hours and the need for a better work-life balance led Laura to reassess her career path.

It was during this juncture that Laura's brother-in-law suggested she consider a career in recruiting. Embracing this opportunity, she embarked on a new adventure that would allow her to combine her empathetic nature, people skills, and keen understanding of human behavior. 4+ years into her role at Workforce Genetics, Laura has found her niche in the world of remote recruiting, where she can simultaneously nurture her family life and passion for helping individuals and businesses thrive.

Laura specializes in roles that drive innovation and progress within the biotech and medtech industries, focusing on Process Development/Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Business Development, and R&D. Her approach to recruiting goes beyond the conventional, as she views candidates as more than their resumes. Laura believes in forming genuine connections and diving deep into understanding each candidate's motivations, aspirations, and unique qualities. One of Laura's greatest sources of joy is witnessing candidates find their dream positions and witnessing the positive impact her work has on their lives. With a steadfast commitment to building lasting relationships, she prides herself on aligning candidates with companies whose values and missions resonate with their own.

Beyond her professional life, Laura's passions extend to sports and entertainment. She was once an avid participant in various sports and recreational activities, but an unfortunate knee injury led her to discover new hobbies like low-impact workouts, biking with her children, and spending quality time with her family. A self-proclaimed enthusiast of the Harry Potter and Marvel universes, Laura finds solace in immersing herself in these fictional realms whenever the opportunity arises.

While Laura's journey has taken her through diverse roles and experiences, her core values of compassion, connection, and dedication remain steadfast. Her ability to bridge the gap between psychology, business, and recruiting showcases her versatility and passion for fostering meaningful relationships in all aspects of her life.

Lorraine Dell'Acqua

Baltimore, MD

Clinical Oncology Research Specialist, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Lorraine Dell'Acqua

Buzzin' Brood Lead

Lorraine is a native of Washington, DC with extensive global travel experience. She is a Clinical Oncology Research Specialist at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, directly engaging with patients and their families for screening, enrolment, and coordination of their participation and treatment in oncology clinical trials. A graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) with a B.S. in Psychology, she possesses over 8 years of research experience across wet labs, animal labs, and clinical and psychological research involving human subjects.

She is interested in pursuing a combined MBA/PhD program to advance her expertise in neuroscience while integrating a business perspective for entrepreneurial pursuits. Lorraine is actively involved in volunteering with professional Latino organizations, aiming to enhance opportunities for Latinos across all sectors, particularly in underrepresented areas like the sciences. She is eager to bring this enthusiasm to Biobuzz, facilitating connections and opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, young professionals, and individuals of all ages in the biotech and medtech fields.

Her personal interests include hiking, biking, rock climbing, DIY projects, and running a private events mixology company.

Nick Droste

Baltimore, MD

Program Manager, Operational Excellence/Human Performance, Emergent BioSolutions

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Nick Droste

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Lead

Staff Sergeant (Retired) Nick Droste served over 20 years in the U.S. Army as a language analyst and strategic advisor. Throughout his military career, Nick developed a passion for workforce optimization and engagement by building cross-functional teams of people with incredibly diverse backgrounds. Nick deployed in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and received the Combat Action Badge and Bronze Star among other awards. Nick, his wife Rukiya, and their four daughters fell in love with Maryland while stationed at Fort Meade and chose the Annapolis area as their new home so that Nick could fly his “Go Army, Beat Navy” flag right next to the Naval Academy.

After retiring, Nick used the Post 9/11 GI Bill to complete his Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of Baltimore. At the same time, he discovered the Biotechnology Industry after connecting with a fellow veteran at a job fair. That connection led Nick to Emergent Biosolutions, where he currently works as a Program Manager for Human Performance on the Operational Excellence Team. Since his transition, Nick has been heavily involved in the creation of employee resource groups at Emergent, as well as veteran initiatives including mentorship to transitioning service members and development of a DoD SkillBridge program tailored to help veterans explore this incredible industry. Nick is also passionate about building secondary education pathways to the industry and removing barriers to STEM education for all.

Nick Sunseri

Baltimore, MD

Program Manager, Operational Excellence, Emergent BioSolutions

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Nick Sunseri

Programs & Events Co-Lead

Nick is an experienced professional with a love of helping people and having fun while doing it. He has a B.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Safety Sciences and an M.B.A. from The University of Maryland. 

Originally from Pittsburgh, he’s called Baltimore his home for the last 1.5 years (but will always support his black and gold teams).  With a background in occupational safety, he spent the first 10+ years of his career working in a variety of different industries protecting the health and safety of each company’s employees.  He states that making the transition into Continuous Improvement has been a great experience as he continues to help people with process improvement and human error reduction efforts but now with a larger scope in addition to safety. 

 

Nick is passionate about people, always enjoying meeting new connections.   He has a love for coaching, teaching, working with groups and bringing his energy to whatever is happening.  Nick is looking forward to helping plan great events and continuing to meet the best and the brightest across the BioHealth Capital Region. 

When not working, volunteering, or supporting an awesome organization like BioBuzz, you can find him running, exploring new breweries, or finding new (and fun) events across the city.

Samantha Petros

Silver Spring, MD

Open to Work - B.S in Translational Life Sciences (Applied Biotechnology) 

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Samantha Petros

Buzzin' Brood Co-Lead

Hi! My name is Samantha and I have a B.S. in Translational Life Sciences (Applied Biotechnology) from UMBC. I worked at Sanaria for nearly 3 years, progressing from a Manufacturing Technician to a Vaccine Extraction Specialist. I then took a summer internship at Johns Hopkins University handling HIV studies and data analysis as a Research Technologist.

My current aspiration is to contribute to impactful research in a bench lab role. I am excited to make a significant contribution to meaningful scientific endeavors!

Sarah Boynton

Baltimore, MD

Owner, Biopharma Staffing and Consulting Solutions, LLC

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Sarah Boynton

Talent Lead

Sarah Boynton is an Independent Consultant and owner of Biopharma Staffing and Consulting Solutions, LLC, and has spent over 13 years in the manufacturing world of biologics and cell and gene therapies. As a seasoned operator for the first half of her career, Sarah has extensive experience in downstream processing, deviation management, training, and operational excellence, with a particular focus on human performance/error prevention. Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Sarah worked for Catalent Pharma Solutions, KBI Biopharma, AstraZeneca, MedImmune, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Sarah is passionate about human error prevention, an important concept gaining a foothold in the manufacturing industry. Ensuring operations are run by confident, well-trained individuals is integral for supplying quality products to patients in need. She hopes to support the BioBuzz network by bringing an innovative approach to educating the future workforce about GxP and Human Performance fundamentals. 

Outside of work, Sarah is a mom to three small children, who help her stay on her toes and always remain curious and creative.

Greater Philadelphia

We’ll formalize our Board for Greater Philadelphia in 2024. Interested?! Get in touch! Please reach out to Cat Thoreson, Director of Marketing, BioBuzz. In the meantime, we encourage to apply for our Ambassadors of Buzz program as an [easy] starting point.

Research Triangle Park

We’ll formalize our Board for Research Triangle Park in 2024. Interested?! Get in touch! Please reach out to Cat Thoreson, Director of Marketing, BioBuzz. In the meantime, we encourage to apply for our Ambassadors of Buzz program as an [easy] starting point.

Work With Us

We make it easy to make impact. For 14 years we’ve been laser-focused on building a robust platform that is as unique to BioBuzz as the technologies of the companies that we work with. So what are you waiting for?! Work with us!