Our Advisory Board

Jared Auclair is Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Director of Bioinnovation at Northeastern University, appointed in December 2024. He leads academic strategy, workforce programs, and research collaboration across industry, government, and academia. His faculty appointments are in the College of Professional Studies and College of Science, where his work centers on analytical chemistry, process development, protein biochemistry, and regulatory science. Dr. Auclair holds a B.S. in Biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science from the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Angela Consani is the CEO and co-founder of the Bioscience Core Skills Institute (BCSI), a national nonprofit that certifies hands-on lab skills through practical assessments and digital microcredentials. With a background in microbiology, manufacturing, and workforce development, Angela leads efforts to help companies identify and hire skilled talent based on demonstrated competencies. Through national partnerships and industry-aligned testing, she supports employers in tapping overlooked talent pools and building more efficient, skills-based hiring pipelines in the bioscience sector.

Dr. Linnea Fletcher is a nationally recognized leader in biotechnology education and workforce development. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Texas at Austin, with extensive research and teaching experience across biology, chemistry, and immunology. At Austin Community College, she launched the Biotechnology Program and helped establish a bioscience incubator that supports thriving startups and provides hands-on training opportunities for emerging professionals. Dr. Fletcher has led numerous National Science Foundation funded initiatives, including InnovATEBIO, and previously served as an NSF Program Officer.

James Hewlett is Professor of Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York, where he also serves as Coordinator of Natural Sciences. He is President and CEO of STEMsolutions LLC, a consulting firm focused on STEM education reform and custom industry training. Professor Hewlett serves on the editorial boards of CBE—Life Sciences Education and the Journal of Advanced Technological Education. A national voice in workforce development, he brings expertise in curriculum design, academic leadership, and industry collaboration across the life sciences and biomanufacturing sectors.

Dr. Deepti Tanjore is the Director of the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She collaborates with industry, startups, and academic partners to solve scale-up challenges in synthetic biology. Her research explores self-driving bioreactor systems, microbial heterogeneity, and adaptive bioprocessing using in-line analytical tools. Dr. Tanjore holds a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from Penn State University, a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from Andhra University, and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She is a key leader in advancing automation and innovation in biomanufacturing.

Brian Jacobson is Associate Director of the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) at the University of Illinois and Infrastructure Program Manager for the iFAB Tech Hub. He serves on the advisory board of the Biomass Innovation Hub and plays an active role in the food and bioprocessing industry. Brian advises startups, contributes thought leadership at industry events, and supports workforce development initiatives at the pilot and manufacturing scale. His work focuses on scaling bioprocess technologies and aligning infrastructure and training programs with the evolving needs of the bioeconomy.

Dr. Adam Meadows is Director of Data Science at Amyris, where he has led projects for 18 years at the intersection of synthetic biology, fermentation, and metabolic modeling. He has developed tools and processes to scale genetically engineered yeast for small molecule production. Adam has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley and is an inventor on 10 patents and coauthor of 12 publications in fermentation technology and yeast physiology.

John is an educator with over 20 years of experience teaching at the secondary and post-secondary levels. He designs curricula that promote experiential learning, curiosity, and the application of science to real-world problems. At Gloucester Academy, he develops pathways to professional, academic, and personal success for students who often lack access to traditional post-secondary opportunities. John holds a B.S. in Biology from Saint Peter’s University, an M.S. in Molecular Biology from Montclair State University, and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Connecticut.