About

Meet Our Team

Driven by Vision. Powered by People.

Our Vision

CBET, an ACPHS initiative, is transforming biopharmaceutical education, research, and innovation. We develop future biotechnology leaders, advance groundbreaking research, connect resources across local, regional, and state partners, and foster innovation.

Our People

Our impact is powered by the people of CBET — visionary leaders, dedicated staff, and expert contributors. Together, we apply business insight and scientific expertise to advance our vision, strengthen partnerships, and shape the future of biotechnology.

CBET Leaders

L. Michelle Lewis, Assistant Vice President

Michelle LewisInterests | Expertise

  • Forging collaborations between industry and academia
  • Driving growth of innovative training and research programs
  • Applying expertise in biomanufacturing and process development
  • Advancing workforce development in biopharmaceutical sciences

Education

  • PhD, Biochemistry, University of Georgia, 2000
  • BS, Biochemistry, BS, Molecular Biology, Western Kentucky University, 1994

Contact Information

Wendy Oakes, Senior Associate Director

Wendy OakesInterests | Expertise

  • Building businesses through effective marketing and communication initiatives
  • Establishing and executing innovative workforce development and research strategies
  • Executing philanthropic concepts with strategic plan alignment 
  • Creating professional and key opinion leader programming, including virtual reality and satellite transmissions
  • Launching companies in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, United States

Education

  • BS, Health Planning and Administration, Penn State, 1982
  • Executive certifications: Marketing Management, Brand Management, Financial Analysis, Impact Leadership, Columbia University, 1988 – 1993

Contact Information

CBET Staff

Oumou Diallo, Bioprocess Manager

Oumou DialloInterests | Expertise

  • Applying biological engineering expertise and upstream bioprocessing experience in research and development
  • Leading mammalian cell culture, protein production, and analysis
  • Translating scientific concepts into engaging, career-relevant learning experiences

Education

  • MS, Biological Engineering, Utah State University, 2015
  • BS, Biological | Biosystems Engineering, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 2011

Contact Information

Josh Pyser, Senior Scientist

Interests | Expertise

  • Bioprocessing
  • Biocatalysis
  • Chemical Biology
  • Contract Research

Education

  • PhD, Chemistry I Chemical Biology Focus, University of Michigan, 2021
  • BS, Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 2016

Contact Information

Contributors

2023 2024 2025
Kamil Fagbenro

Austin Lewerk

William Rimkunas

 Diana Byk

Dina Elsayed

Harrison Jacobs

Carmen Nazario

Jaelyn Rossignoll

Lily Toll

Trang Van

Nancy Yang

Abby Yoon

 Ejemen Aigbedion

Mya Audette

Keyondre Cook

Anissa Gomez

HaoYu Guo

Abimael Marrero

Mackenzie Quirk

Umang Abhay Shah

Wen Tan Lu

Ghalia Thaljeh

Richa Bimal Trivedi

Hyun Jung Youn

Helen Zan

Advisors Amplifying Our Impact

Our advisors collaborate with us to shape and evolve ideas that set our center apart—driving our vision and amplifying our impact in biotechnology, through the people we prepare, the researchers we support, and the community we serve.

Proof of Impact

Proof matters in biotechnology. We are proud to be recognized as a NYSTAR business incubator, affirming our role as a trusted hub for research, workforce development, and innovation. Our updates highlight the evidence that matters most—grants awarded, research advanced, people trained, and the voices of industry leaders and collaborators who validate our rigor and results.