Burlington, Massachusetts – BioConnects New England (BCNE) today announced the members of its External Advisory Board (EAB), representing a diverse cohort of stakeholders across Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island and including the biomanufacturing/pharmaceutical industry, community colleges, technical colleges, economic development agencies, community organizations/non-profits, and academia.
The 13-member board will provide non-binding strategic oversight and expertise and advice to BioConnects New England Executive Director Jared Auclair, Ph.D. and leadership team to ensure the outcomes of the program align with the proposed directions and Economic Development Administration objectives in terms of economic growth, particularly in underserved populations and those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The primary role of the EAB is to evaluate progress on BCNE activity, suggest iterations of programs, and advise on future initiatives.
Members of the EAB are:
- Alicia Modestino: professor, Northeastern University (chair of Executive Advisory Board)
- Rosalin Acosta: secretary of labor and workforce development, Massachusetts
- David Daegler: president, Maine Community College System
- Pam Eddinger: president, Bunker Hill Community College
- Jose Estabil: chair and co-founder of Latinos in Bio; chief business officer, Cipherome
- Aisha Francis: president, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology
- Dottie Fulginiti: economic recovery planner, Old Colony Planning Council
- Nicole Obi: president/CEO, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts
- Nina Pande: executive director, Skills for RI
- Tim Ritchie: president, Boston Museum of Science
- Valerie Roberson: former president, Roxbury Community College
- Courtney Scrubbs: corporate counsel, Axiom
- Martin Smith: chief technology officer, IDEXX
“It’s a great pleasure to announce the esteemed members of our External Advisory Board, each bringing their own expertise and experience to our initiative,” said Auclair. “We are fortunate to have assembled such a knowledgeable and dedicated panel of professionals.”
ABOUT BIOCONNECTS NEW ENGLAND
BioConnects New England is a multi-state coalition and finalist of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge—a $1 billion program sponsored by the Economic Development Administration. Through this initiative, BioConnects New England will create a biomanufacturing cluster in the region of Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island that have been historically excluded from the biotechnology industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in New England with national importance. This coalition will connect hubs throughout New England to support existing—and establish new—biomanufacturing infrastructure as a pathway to increase employment and educational opportunities for underserved regions and populations.
