Board of Directors
Khalid K. Alam, PhD
Khalid received his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Missouri and is currently working in the field of synthetic biology, where his efforts are focused on engineering biomolecular systems. Khalid is organizing for ChiTownBio because he believes technology is most powerful when it is the most accessible.Twitter | LinkedIn
Andrew Scarpelli, PhD
Andrew is a local science professor who completed his PhD from Northwestern in molecular biology. Andrew is faculty at the School of the Art Institute teaching courses on sustainability, bioart, biodesign, and molecular biology. He is one of the organizers of the Midwest Biodesign Hub.
LinkedIn
Rosetta Sellers-Varela, MS
Rosetta recently earned an MS in Applied Biotechnology and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. She currently works as a lab research technician in a nephrology lab, in addition to her long standing career as a professional singer. With 25+ years experience as a performer and music instructor, Rosetta aims to use her experience working on and alongside nonprofit boards to assist ChiTownBio in its growth and development.
LinkedIn
Brandon Nieves
Brandon studied Computer Science and Economics at the Rochester Institute of Technology and discovered that biotechnology is as much about math and computation as it is about biology. Inspired by a family history rooted in practical, hands-on work – from machining and mechanics in Chicago’s steel mills to baking in California – he sees the same blend of skill and problem-solving in the lab’s molecular tools and living systems. Brandon brings curiosity, analytical skills, and a passion for exploring the intricate machinery of life. LinkedIn
Co-Founders and Past Board Members
Adam Thompson
Adam is a southern transplant in Chicago who received a PhD studying microbial biofuel production from the University of Tennessee, and now works as a research scientist in the biotech industry. He sees no reason Chicago can’t be an emergent biotech hub, and envisions ChiTownBio’s community engagement being a key driver of that future. LinkedIn
Isaac Larkin
At the time of his work with ChiTownBio, Isaac was a graduate student working on synthetic biology at Northwestern. He loves the living world, wants to understand, engineer and contribute to it. As co-founder of GeneMods, he writes, presents and records content to share his excitement about developments in synthetic biology with everyone.
Twitter | LinkedIn
Oliver Harrison
Oliver majored in biology at Northwestern University and has worked in research, museum education, and grant administration. They wants to build a place where people can do science without worrying whether it’s profitable or even plausible, and where folks can–as the Friz says–take chances, make mistakes, and get messy.
Twitter | LinkedIn
Madison Wilds Burger