Alina Alexeenko, PhD

Purdue University

Alina Alexeenko is associate dean for undergraduate education at College of Engineering, Purdue University and a professor at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Davidson School of Chemical Engineering. She is a founding Co-Director of Advanced Lyophilization Technology Hub - LyoHUB established in 2014 focused on advancing the science and technology of pharmaceutical lyophilization.

She received her PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 2003 and was a WiSE post-doctoral fellow at University of Southern California from 2004 to 2006. Dr. Alexeenko is an associate fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and served as chair of AIAA Thermophysics Technical Committee for 2016-2018. Alexeenko's research is in rarefied gas dynamics, heat and mass transfer process modeling in application to high-altitude aerothermodynamics and spacecraft technologies and pharmaceutical manufacturing. She has authored over 200 journal and conference papers and is a co-inventor on 7 patents. Dr. Alexeenko has been collaborating broadly with industry firms on design and improvement of pharmaceutical lyophilization equipment and processes since 2008 and co-led the development of LyoHUB's Lyophilization Technology Roadmap to 2025 and Beyond and the first recognized consensus technical standard for pharmaceutical lyophilization issued by ASTM in 2022.

Stephanie Bothum

Ascend Indiana

Stephanie Bothun is the Vice President and Co-Founder of Ascend Indiana, a non-profit striving to make Indiana a place of economic opportunity for all by connecting talent to internships, modern youth apprenticeships, and jobs and building talent pipelines between employers and education. Bothun recently supported two large life sciences companies in developing innovative talent programs to grow Indianas life sciences workforce. Previously, Bothun served as the Director of Education Initiatives for the City of Indianapolis leading forward early childhood, STEM, and workforce efforts. Prior to joining the Mayors office, Bothun served as a human capital analyst with Deloitte Consulting LLP in Chicago and as a Teach for America Indianapolis charter corps member, where she was named Teach For Americas Indianapolis Teacher of the Year. In 2020, Bothun was named to the Indianapolis Business Journals (IBJ) prestigious Forty Under 40 list. Bothun received her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a Master of Arts in Education from Marian University. Stephanie lives in Indianapolis with her husband and twin toddlers, Caleb and Charlotte.

Grant Brock

Vice President of Operations

Grant Brock joined Lannett Company in 2018. Prior to joining the company, he held various senior roles in operations and engineering at Aprecia Pharmaceuticals, Custom Powder Systems and Teva Pharmaceuticals. Dedicated to building a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement, Grant brings a diverse set of experiences to Lannett, including operations, engineering, company acquisitions and integration, and helping facilities achieve FDA approvals for both facilities and products.

Grant is a graduate of Xavier University's PMP (Project Management Professional) program, Ohio State University's Six Sigma Black Belt Certification program, and Cincinnati State Community College. Grant is an ISPE (CPIP) Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional.

Bradley B. Chambers

State of Indiana, Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Bradley B. Chambers is the Secretary of Commerce for the state of Indiana and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), serving as a member of Governor Eric Holcombs cabinet and leading the states economic development efforts since his appointment in summer 2021.

For more than 37 years, Chambers has been a leader in the investment, development, and management of high quality multifamily and mixed use properties across the nation. As founder, president and CEO of Indianapolis based Buckingham Companies, Chambers has led the strategic direction of the company's integrated divisions, including development, construction, property management and institutional asset management since he started the company as a student at Indiana University. With a focus on midwestern values, creativity and community involvement, Buckingham has grown from its first rental property purchase in 1984 to the development and acquisition of investments exceeding $3 billion.

In addition to his role at Buckingham Companies, Chambers also serves as a founder and board member of the Buckingham Foundation Inc., a philanthropic organization focused on making a positive impact on communities within the mission areas of affordable housing, community and economic development, arts and culture, and childhood hunger. Among other community activities, Chambers serves as the past chair of the Indiana State Fair Commission, a member of the National Multi Housing Council and Young Presidents Organization and serves as trustee for St. Pauls Episcopal Church. Chambers previously served on the boards of Indianapolis Downtown Inc., Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. He also previously served as vice chair of the Urban Land Institute of Indiana and as a member of the Indiana State Office Commission, the Apartment Association of Indiana, and the Indianapolis Police Department Civilian Merit Board.

Chambers received his bachelors degree in finance from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. He and his wife, Carol, are parents to their son, Nick.

Mung Chiang, PhD

Purdue University

Mung Chiang is the Executive Vice President of Purdue University for strategic initiatives and innovation campus. He has also been the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering and the Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering since 2017. Purdue Engineerings ranking rose from #9 to #4 and became the largest engineering school ever ranked top five in the U.S. The College won 12 national research centers, constructed or renovated 18 buildings, and completed the first $1B philanthropy campaign by any college in a public university. During 2020, he served as the Science and Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State and the chief global technology office in the Department of State. In 2021, he founded the think tank, Center for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, and started serving as the technology and innovation advisor to the State of Indiana. Prior to 2017, he was the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical Engineering, the inaugural Chair of Princeton Entrepreneurship Council, and Director of Keller Center for Engineering Education at Princeton University.

His research on communication networks received the 2013 Alan T. Waterman Award, the highest honor to a scientist or engineer under the age of 40 in the U.S. each year. A recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and the IEEE Tomiyasu Technical Achievement Award, he was elected to the National Academy of Inventors and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. He founded the Princeton Edge Lab in 2009 and co-founded an industry consortium and several startup companies with sixty million users globally. His textbooks and online courses received the ASEE Terman Award and reached hundreds of thousands of students.

John Chiminksi

Catalent

John Chiminski was named Chief Executive Officer of Catalent, Inc. in March 2009 and appointed Chair of the Catalent Board in October 2016.

Mr. Chiminski partnered with the PE firm Blackstone to complete a carve-out of the Catalent business from Cardinal Health and transform it to its current position as a market leader in biopharma services. Included in that transformation was a successful IPO in 2014 and the transition to a fully independent public company in October 2016. Under a decade of his leadership, Catalents revenue grew 8% CAGR at constant currency and its enterprise value more than quintupled to $18.5 billion.

Mr. Chiminski has a diversified medical diagnostics and pharmaceutical background that includes operations leadership, product development and services, with a track record of growing global businesses.

He joined Catalent after more than 20 years at GE Healthcare. From 2007 until 2009, Mr. Chiminski served as President and CEO of GE Medical Diagnostics, a global business with sales of $1.9 billion. From 2005 to 2007, he served as Vice President and General Manager of GE Healthcares global magnetic resonance business, and, from 2001 to 2005, Mr. Chiminski served as Vice President and General Manager of Global Healthcare Services. Earlier in his career, Mr. Chiminski held a series of cross-functional leadership positions in both operations and engineering, including GE Medical Systems assignments in France.

Mr. Chiminski holds a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a masters degree from Purdue University, both in electrical engineering, as well as a masters degree in management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In 2012, he received a Distinguished Engineering Alumni award from Purdue for his record of accomplishments. In 2019, Mr. Chiminski was the first recipient of the CPHI Lifetime Achievement Award for a distinguished career in the biotech or pharmaceutical arena. He serves as a director of Berkeley Lights, Inc., is a Senior Advisor at Abingworth, a leading biopharma venture capital firm, and is currently the Chairman of Purdues Electrical and Computer Engineering advisory board. He previously served as a director of Graham Packaging as well as DJO Global. Married with three children, Mr. Chiminski resides in the greater New York area.

Sue Ellspermann, PhD

Ivy Tech Community College

Dr. Sue Ellspermann has served as president of Ivy Tech Community College, Indianas largest post-secondary institution and the nations largest singly-accredited statewide post-secondary institution since 2016. She previously served as Indianas 50th Lieutenant Governor where she served as Indianas Secretary of Agriculture and President of the Senate, along with oversight of 6 agencies. She was elected in 2010 as District 74 State Representative. Her earlier career includes founding director of the University of Southern Indianas Center for Applied Research and Economic Development, owner of Ellspermann and Associates, Inc. focused on creative problem solving and strategic planning, and industrial engineering positions at GM, Michelin and Frito-Lay. Ellspermann holds a M.S. and PhD in Industrial Engineering from University of Louisville and BSIE from Purdue.

Lucas Huntimer

Elanco

Lucas began his career with Novartis Animal Health after completing a bachelors in science in biology and microbiology from South Dakota State University. At Novartis Animal Health, Lucas held roles as a laboratory technician and scientist focusing on bacteriological fermentation, downstream processing, vaccine formulation, release assays, safety testing, quality control, and host animal efficacy models. Lucas then decided to pursue a doctorate in Immunobiology from Iowa State University focusing on evaluating the efficacy and immunological mechanisms behind vaccines designed using novel polyanhydride biomaterials as adjuvants and antigen carriers. He then returned to Novartis in 2012 as a Scientist responsible for development of innovative vaccines and maintaining current vaccine product licenses through requalification testing. After the Elanco acquisition of Novartis, Lucas served in multiple leadership and business strategy roles within Elanco for global licensure of pet and farm animal health products. In these roles, he has led work focused on product development including disease modeling, assay development, pivotal field studies, and subject matter expertise in immunology. Lucas currently serves as a Senior Advisor for the External Innovation team within Elanco focusing on interfacing and evaluating external opportunities for application within the Elanco product pipeline.

Beth Lorsbach, PhD

Corteva Agriscience

Beth A. Lorsbach (Ph.D., University of California, Davis) is the Global Leader Small Molecule Discovery and Development (SMDD) at Corteva Agriscience and is responsible for driving end to end process chemistry and chemical engineering solutions for the development, launch and long-term support of all discovery and development phase pipeline molecules and currently manufactured active ingredients (a.i.s), through both internal and external synthesis and manufacturing. She also provides technical, personnel, and organizational management of the chemistry functional groups within SMDD whose focus is to design building blocks, routes, new hits, actives, and leads with sustainable attributes. Beth has authored over 94 patent applications, 21 external publications, and 28 conference presentations. She was recognized in 2009 as a finalist for Indys Best and Brightest Award, received the 2015 Rising Star Award from the American Chemical Society (ACS), and recently was named a 2019 ACS Fellow.

Theresa S. Mayer, Ph.D.

Purdue University

Theresa S. Mayer is the executive vice president for research and partnerships at Purdue University, where she oversees the institutions $690 million research enterprise and supports holistic engagements with federal, industry, and global strategic partners. She serves as the Vice Chair and Lead Manager for Board of Managers at the Purdue Applied Research Institute, the non-profit applied research arm of Purdue University that extends the reach and impact of the University's deep research strengths and top-ranked academic programs in engineering, agriculture, science, and technology.

Previously, in her roles leading research and innovation efforts at Virginia Tech and Penn State University, Mayer was instrumental in creating collaborative and cutting-edge research ecosystems that engaged industry and enhanced regional economic development. She is widely recognized for her work in advanced manufacturing of nanoscale electronic, optical, and biomedical devices, which has been supported by the NSF, DOD, DOE, NIH, and industry. Mayer has over 350 technical publications, invited presentations and tutorials, and holds ten patents in these areas. She served on the U.S. Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and is a fellow of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Jay McGill, PhD

Indiana Bioscience Research Institute

Jay McGill, PhD, brings a strong background of industrial experience, operations and working in innovation across the industrial-academic boundaries. He has more than 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and development, research collaborations and outsourcing management. McGill is known for his leadership in the pioneering of novel and transformational partnership models.

McGill also is known for his role in helping to bring Indianapolis new 16 Tech Innovation District from dream to reality. He was instrumental in the design and construction of Innovation Building 1 in 16 Tech, which serves as the new headquarters for the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI).

In his role as chief operating officer, McGill created a mechanism for community scientists to access the research laboratory space and equipment at the IBRI. He also is responsible for the enabling technologies area and a network of capabilities to serve the molecular innovation area.

Additionally, McGill helped establish, and currently serves as executive director for, the AXIS Mentoring Program, which focuses on developing Indianas life sciences entrepreneurial talent.

Prior to joining the IBRI, McGill served as senior director of research business operations at Eli Lilly and Company in the Lilly Research Laboratories, where he was responsible for science and technology partnerships. In this role, McGill served as the interface between academic institutions and Lilly Research Labs, as well as overseeing the company's portfolio of research-based public/private partnerships and consortium participation.

In 2013 and 2014, McGill was on assignment as a loaned executive from Eli Lilly and Company to BioCrossroads, where his responsibilities included supporting the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (Indiana CTSI) at the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine and helping to establish the IBRI. While on assignment at the Indiana CTSI McGill helped create the Molecular Therapeutics program and was key to re-establishing a Phase 1 Clinic within IU Hospital Clinical Research Center.

McGill began his career at Eli Lilly and Company in 1990. Throughout his tenure he served in multiple leadership roles until 2008, when all research-based sourcing groups were consolidated under McGills leadership as senior director of external research operations. Then, in 2010, McGill had the opportunity to serve as interim COO of the Lilly China Research Development Center (LCRDC) in Shanghai, China. There he led a team to identify a location, construct the facility and establish the operations for LCRDC, which opened in June 2012.

Eric J. Munson, PhD

Purdue University

Eric Munson is currently the Dane O. Kildsig Chair and Head of the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy at Purdue University. He received his B.A. degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1987. After studying one year in Munich, Germany, on a Fulbright Fellowship, he received his Ph.D. in 1993 from Texas A&M University, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley in 1994. He was in the Chemistry Department at the University of Minnesota before moving in 2001 to the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department at the University of Kansas, to the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department at the University of Kentucky in 2010, where he was the Patrick DeLuca Endowed Professor in Pharmaceutical Technology. In 2018 he moved to Purdue University to become the Dane O. Kildsig Chair and Head of the Industrial and Physical Pharmacy Department. His research program is focused on the characterization of pharmaceutical solids using a variety of analytical techniques, with an emphasis on solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Dr. Munson is a coinventor on three patents and has published more than 100 research, review, and book chapters.

Frederick D. Payne

Indiana Department of Workforce Development

Fred Payne joined the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in December 2017, as Commissioner, after being appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb. The Commissioner serves as DWD’s Chief Executive.

Mr. Payne came to DWD from Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN), as Chief Administrator where he was responsible for the Business Division, which consisted of all support functions including Legal, IT, Accounting/Finance, Planning, Corporate Affairs, Facilities, Administration and Inclusion & Diversity. Mr. Payne was one of three senior and executive leaders on the Company Operating Committee responsible for overall operations. During his time at HMIN, Mr. Payne served in a variety of leadership roles, including, General Counsel, Secretary and Compliance Officer, as well as representing HMIN across North America on the Retirement & 401(k) and Inclusion Committees.

In addition to his leadership roles, Mr. Payne is credited with starting the following foundational processes and units at HMIN: Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and the Office of Inclusion & Diversity.

Prior to Honda, Mr. Payne was in private practice representing employers in employment and labor law matters before federal & state courts and governmental/administrative agencies throughout the U.S. such as the National Labor Relations Board, civil rights commissions, and the Department of Labor.

Mr. Payne serves as a member of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, Chair of the Governor’s Health Workforce Council, the board of directors for the IndyEleven Foundation, the Indianapolis Urban League and Honda Federal Credit Union.

He is a graduate of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and Grambling State University.

Andrea A. Richter-Garry

Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)

Andrea Richter-Garry currently serves as the Senior Vice President of International Engagement at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). In her role, Richter-Garry oversees international business development efforts, including six foreign-based offices. She also manages relationships with foreign governments on behalf of the state. Previously, Richter-Garry held the role of Advance Lead to President Barack Obama at the White House where she led teams to prepare the logistical, security and communications aspects for the Presidents foreign and domestic travel.

Richter-Garry began her government career at the U.S. Department of State in 2009 and honed an expertise in economic statecraft. While holding the role of Chief of Staff of the Bureau of Energy Resources within the Department, she shaped foreign policy engagement at the critical nexus of energy and national security.

She hails from Watertown, Minnesota and completed her B.A. in Political Science, Global Studies and German at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN and received her M.A. in European Studies from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. She currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and two sons and sits on the boards of the State International Development Organization (SIDO), America China Society of Indiana, Alliance Française d'Indianapolis, the International School of Indiana and the Advisory Committee of Women4Change Indiana.

Arup Roy, PhD

Eli Lilly and Company

Arup Roy currently serves as Vice President of Bioproduct Research and Development, leading an organization of 300+ scientists and support personnel who are responsible for the process and product development of the diverse Lilly large molecule portfolio. He has over 25 years of experience in the pharma/biotech industry and includes experience in both the small molecule and large molecule areas.

Arup joined Lilly in 2003 as a research advisor in Lilly Research Laboratories. Subsequently, he held leadership positions in the formulation and process development area, as well as in bioproduct development and characterization. Prior to joining Lilly, Arup spent 10 years with Glaxo Wellcome Inc/GlaxoSmithKline in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Arup holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Iowa. He received his M.S. in Biochemistry and B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Calcutta, India.

Garth Simpson

Purdue University

Garth Simpson has been a member of the Purdue Chemistry faculty for 20 years, working to develop optical imaging tools using ultrafast laser sources to address measurement challenges in chemistry, biology, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. He currently serves as the Associate Dean for Research and Partnerships in the College of Science at Purdue, and as the Purdue Site Director for the NSF Center for Bioanalytic Metrology, an industry/university collaborative research center.

Srinu Sonti

Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

Srinu Sonti is a seasoned health policy and communications professional who provides clients with unique insights into the inner workings of Congress and regulatory agencies. With years of experience on Capitol Hill and in the private sector, Srinu assists clients achieve their goals by listening to their complex issues and developing a strategy for success. His primary focus is on health policy and is passionate about reforming the nations delivery system to ensure quality access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Issue Expertise: Policy and regulations impacting academic medical centers, the healthcare workforce, hospitals and hospital systems, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and rural health clinics. Medicare, Medicaid, and health IT.

Additional Experience: Srinu has worked on and off Capitol Hill for years on a wide range of health policy and regulatory matters, in both the public and private sector. Srinu served for several years as the Research Director for then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), focusing on policy development, messaging and strategy. Srinu was a part of Senator Reids team that worked on, and helped pass the Affordable Care Act, the reauthorization of the Childrens Health Insurance Program, as well as other legislation. Srinu also worked at the Center for American Progress where he raised awareness of and coordinated advocacy efforts on health policy and poverty issues. Srinu went on to serve as Health Policy Advisor to Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL). There, he primarily managed the Senators health finance portfolio, focusing on the Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security programs. Srinu left Capitol Hill to join the Federation of American Hospitals, where he was part of the government relations team and managed the health IT portfolio. Srinu then went on to work as a consultant for organizations focused on public health prior to joining Lewis-Burke.

Vital Statistics: Srinu earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Wisconsin, and a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School. Of note, Srinu is also one of the few and proud who were born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area.

Brian Stemme

Biocrossroads

Brian Stemme is Senior Vice President of Engagement for BioCrossroads. He has a strong background in life sciences market development and research. He is responsible for identifying and developing opportunities for growth within Indianas life sciences sector, evaluating early-stage companies for investment by BioCrossroads seed funds and supporting the States efforts to attract and grow life sciences companies.

Brian led the formation of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnerships AgriNovus Indiana, a nonprofit established in 2013 to leverage Indianas strengths in agricultural innovation, working with industry CEOs, Indianas Lieutenant Governor and Purdue University to launch the new entity, publish a first-of-its-kind report and support early-stage ag-tech companies.

He is a member of the board of directors of Allinaire Therapeutics and Scioto Biosciences.

Prior to joining BioCrossroads, Brian was employed by Eli Lilly and Company in Corporate Affairs, where he ran the company's political action committee. He also worked as a Senior Analyst in the company's biotechnology unit and was a member of the team that established Lilly Systems Biology, Ltd. in Singapore. Previously, Brian was a manager in Arthur Andersens Assurance practice, providing audit and tax consulting to companies in the energy, software and healthcare industries.

Brian is a Butler University graduate and a member of its Board of Trustees.

Joe Trebley, PhD

Monon Bioventures

Joe Trebley, PhD is the founder and CEO of Monon Bioventures a Life Science Venture Studio located in Indianapolis, IN. He is currently focused on serving as CEO of Monon spin out Scioto Biosciences. A leading clinical stage microbiome company developing products for GI and neuroscience disorders. Scioto’s lead product is currently being testing in a Phase Ib clinical trial in patients with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. After receiving his PhD in Pharmacology at Purdue, Joe started his career at the Purdue Research Foundation in the Office of Technology Commercialization, and afterwards spent time in venture capital and served as VP of R&D for Kylin Therapeutics developing RNA-based therapeutics. Joe also served as Head of Startups at Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation. There he oversaw the formation of more than 20 startup companies and was directly involved raising more than $10M in initial seed and grant funding across more than 8 different companies He graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Wabash College where he was a 3-year starter on the football team at defensive end. The Little Giants never had a losing season during his tenure, but sadly, Joe went 0-4 in the Monon Bell Classic.

Jeff Zaleski

Indiana University

Jeff Zaleski is currently serving as Vice Provost for Research at IU Bloomington. He also continues as Associate Vice Provost for Sciences and Provost Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences' Chemistry Department at IU Bloomington. As Associate Vice Provost, Jeff provides oversight for the physical and natural sciences and related research centers across the campus. He has also been highly instrumental in bolstering science research funding and projects, and he plays a critical role in facilitating the campuss research engagement with Crane and other national security resources.

As vice provost, he will oversee support for research and creative activities across the Bloomington campus. This includes oversight of 22 research centers, institutes, and museums, including unique centers such as the Kinsey Institute and the Ostrom Workshop. Zaleski will also advance the campuss Emerging Areas of Research program as well as IU Bloomington researchers and teams contributing to the university's three Grand Challenge initiatives.

Zaleski received his B.S. degree from SUNY at Geneseo in 1988 and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1993. He was awarded the Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University where he studied physical-bioinorganic chemistry under the direction of Professor Edward I. Solomon. Zaleski joined the faculty at Indiana University in 1996. His research interests are in the fields of metals in medicine, bioinorganic chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and materials.