Bibhash is an investment fund manager, investor, company builder and board member with almost 2 decades of experience in biotech. He is the CEO of Sapient Biotech, which is currently building a sector-specialized investment fund that invests exclusively in biotech companies, both private and small-cap public, with a fundamental, bottom-up, absolute-return strategy. It is also building a fund focused on rare diseases with a double bottom-line mandate for return on mission and return on investment. Through DW Wealth Management, he also advises various Family Offices and Disease foundations on investing in the healthcare sector. Previously, he was a co-founder and GP in Sound Bioventures and an investor with the biotech practice of a large, diversified venture fund, NEA. Prior to that he has operating experience in business development, portfolio management and corporate strategy functions at both AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. He has led, managed and exited multiple private and public biotech investments, participated in multiple major in-licensing, divestiture and acquisitions and cross-border Europe / US deals and has had advisory roles in several life science incubators and healthcare delivery non-profits. His education spans 3 continents culminating with a PhD in the biology of retinal degeneration from Baylor College of Medicine.

Founded by a female, solo-GP with a PhD in Biophysics, Ecphora Capital’s founder boasts an extensive background, having deployed over $15M into medical startups. Additionally, she has been involved in the founding, funding, and board membership of 53 startups allowing for unparalleled expertise and support to portfolio companies.

Thomas is Managing Partner of Linden Lake Venture Capital. He is a biotechnology investor, entrepreneur and intellectual property lawyer. Most recently he was CEO of Linden Lake portfolio company, AexeRNA Therapeutics, a next-generation mRNA lipid nanoparticle technology company he co-founded with the late Michael Buschmann of George Mason University and Drew Weissman at the University of Pennsylvania. AexeRNA was acquired by a large publicly traded biotechnology company. He also served as CEO of Linden Lake portfolio company C-Reveal Therapeutics, an immuno-oncology therapeutics company spun out of the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School co-founded with Mark Cobbold, Pam Sharma and Keith Flaherty. He was also a co-founder, and Interim CEO of PhosImmune, Inc., an immuno-oncology company co-founded with Donald Hunt at the University of Virginia and acquired by Agenus, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN).

During his legal career he served as partner and co-Chair of Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Life Sciences IP Practice. Prior to its acquisition by Seyfarth, he was Chair of Fanelli Haag PLLC a preeminent life sciences focused D.C. law firm. Thomas was also General Counsel of Arrowhead Research Corporation (NASDAQ: ARWR). While at Arrowhead he also served as CEO of Tego Biosciences, an ARWR portfolio company, which was acquired by Luna Innovations (NASDAQ: LUNA). He graduated from The George Washington University Law School. He earned a B.S. in Biology and Ph.D. in Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology from UCLA where he was an NIH Pre-doctoral Fellow in Genetics.

John Newby is the CEO at Virginia Bio, the statewide non-profit trade association for the

life science industry. Nearly 300 entities spanning biopharmaceuticals, medical device,

med tech, diagnostics, digital health, bioinformatics, agriculture and industrial bio and

related fields are based in Virginia, mainly clustered around research universities and

medical institutions. Virginia Bio is the sole state affiliate and works closely with key

national industry organizations Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), AdvaMed,

Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), Pharmaceutical Research and

Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) and We Work for Health.

Newby was formerly the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services

(VDVS), where he led an 850-member Agency located across 50 Virginia locations,

delivering employment, education, benefits, behavioral health and long term health care

services to Virginia’s Reservists, Guardsmen, transitioning service members and

725,000 veterans. Prior to leading VDVS Newby practiced corporate, intellectual

property and Hatch-Waxman biopharmaceutical law at international law firms in

Richmond and Washington DC, and at a multinational company. Newby previously

commanded an Air Force special operations unit supporting the U.S. Army’s 3rd and 7th

Special Forces Groups (Airborne), and served in Iraq as an aviator aboard the Boeing

B-1B Lancer strategic bomber. Newby received a B.S. from the United States Air Force

Academy, with Military Distinction, and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of

Law.

Susan Mitchell has a 20+-year track record of success delivering grants management, research and evaluation, logistics, and technical assistance solutions to government, industry, and the community. Susan is committed to improving access to and success in education, healthcare, workforce, and economic development. Ms. Mitchell serves on the board of directors for Virginia Career Works and STEM for Her, is a Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce GovCon Committee Chair, and was tapped to serve on the Loudoun County Economic Development Advisory Commission (Life Sciences Sector), appointed by the Board of Supervisors and supports DEIA efforts as the Chair of the Loudoun Chamber Toolkit subcommittee. With innovation, education and empowerment as cornerstones, she leads a team of doctors and scientists dedicated to using their Sterling, Virginia CLIA diagnostic testing lab as an asset for the progression of therapeutic developments. She and her team are a driving force behind social and health equity endeavors that positively impact population health, product commercialization, and pipeline development.

As Director of Economic Development and Special Projects, Judy Costello works for Montgomery County Maryland’s County Executive on a variety of projects related to business growth and retention, innovation, and economic development. Before joining Montgomery County, she worked for BioHealth Innovation (BHI), a Washington, DC area nonprofit focused on growing the biohealth industry in the region, as Managing Director of Economic Development. Prior to joining BHI, she served as Director of the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of BioHealth and Life Sciences and as Deputy Director of the department’s BioMaryland Center. In these positions, she worked to grow Maryland’s biohealth industry cluster by supporting company recruitment and retention, commercialization, workforce, non-dilutive and dilutive fundraising, international soft landing, partnership, and promotion activities. Judy previously managed the nonprofit Business Alliance for Innovation and Entrepreneurship organizing venture pitch forums, entrepreneur bootcamps, technology transfer showcases, educational seminars, and other programs connecting entrepreneurs, faculty innovators, students, and industry leaders in Maryland, DC and Virginia with each other and with those providing funding and other resources to young companies. Before serving as Executive Director of the Business Alliance, Costello held positions in financial services marketing, economic development, and university public relations in New York City, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Judy is a graduate of Georgetown University, and holds a MBA from Loyola University in Maryland. Born in Washington, DC, she grew up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania, and has lived in Montgomery County, Maryland supporting entrepreneurs and other growing companies in the region since the mid-1980s.

Brian Darmody serves as CEO of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global nonprofit building communities of innovation in 42 states and 12 countries sponsored by universities, hospital systems, government labs and cities and the firms planning and building these communities. The largest number of AURP members are clustered in the DC/Md/Va region. Darmody launched the AURP Bio Health Caucus that focuses on planning and building life science facilities across the globe and is co-author with Rich Bendis of the Journal of Commercial Biotechnology Creating Communities of Life Science Innovation in the U.S.: History of Critical Factors That Helped the Bio Health Capital Region Emerge, March 2021.

Previously, he was the University’s AVP for Corporate and Foundation Relations in the Division of University Relations, AVP for Research and Economic Development, Special Assistant Vice Chancellor for Technology Development for University System of Maryland, Director of State and Federal Relations in the UMD President’s Office and served in the university’s legal counsel office. He worked for the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration Office of Attorney-Advisor and for a member of Congress and member of Maryland House of Delegates.

He is a frequent author and speaker and serves on national and state boards, including Bio Health Capital Region Forum Planning Committee, Fraunhofer USA, and the Maryland Technology Corporation Venture Board. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore, and he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Kevin is a First Vice President and a member of CBRE’s National Life Sciences Practice Group. He specializes in assisting life sciences and biotech companies develop and achieve real estate strategies that account for the flexibility needed in a constantly changing industry. His in-depth knowledge of the biotech life cycle, including initial funding, drug development, clinical trials and capital events, allow him to tailor specific strategies to his clients' needs. His background working for an international life sciences developer/owner offers a unique perspective to leverage the best possible real estate outcome for clients.

Prior to joining CBRE, Kevin spent 12 years working for BioMed Realty/Blackstone, a leading provider of real estate to the life sciences industry. After 4 years in the Philadelphia region handling leasing, he moved to the DC area in 2010 to open BioMed’s Maryland office. There he spearheaded leasing, development and acquisition efforts for the Mid-Atlantic region, totaling 2.5 million square feet in inventory. He negotiated and completed over 2 million square feet of lease transactions and was involved in the acquisition of over 650,000 square feet across several buildings. Upon fully leasing up the Mid-Atlantic portfolio, he oversaw the disposition of 2 million square feet.

Matt has been with South Duvall since its founding in 2016. He oversees their strategy, capital relationships, and business development activities. South Duvall has acquired or developed ten scientific properties in the Mid-Atlantic. Matt previously oversaw all underwriting and asset management activities with South Duvall. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Maryland and an MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.

Dr. Stefanie Trop leverages her experience in science and business to help innovators reach clinical and commercial impact. As Director of Life Sciences with the Maryland Department of Commerce, she leads statewide efforts to strengthen Maryland’s life sciences sector, working closely with industry, investors, academic leaders, and government partners to build collaborations that accelerate growth and support successful expansion into the region.

Stefanie’s earlier work included consulting in multi-omic and single-cell data analysis in roles at Beckman Coulter and Cytobank, where she supported biomarker discovery workflows for pharma and biotech clients. She also ran immunology studies in vaccine clinical trials during her postdoctoral work with the U.S. Navy. Stefanie holds a PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Joe D’Alù leads SETTY’s Science & Technology practice. He is an accomplished Architectural/Mechanical Engineer and Project Executive guiding the planning and delivery of high-performance research and laboratory facilities nationwide. With more than 25 years of experience, Joe’s design philosophy emphasizes sound engineering, safety, energy management, and sustainability -- anchored by a deep respect for architectural intent and seamless integration of form and function. He advances innovation across life sciences, academic, and mission-critical environments through sustainable design, precision environmental systems, and energy-efficient engineering solutions.

Bob Zhang leads the business development team at the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA), focusing on business engagement, retention, and attracting new businesses to the county. He also supports the cybersecurity/IT sector and drives international initiatives by promoting export opportunities and foreign direct investment.

Bob’s professional background includes experience with Fortune 500 companies, IT consulting firms, and the federal government, giving him a deep understanding of various industries. In 2011, he founded his own business to help small and medium-sized enterprises enhance their digital presence. His commitment to public service is evident in his decade-long contributions to Maryland’s diplomacy and international initiatives, recognized by the National Association of Secretaries of State for his outstanding contributions. From 2012 to 2023, Bob served as Commissioner of the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Asian-Pacific American Affairs, where he chaired the business subcommittee. In 2019, he was appointed to the Maryland-Washington DC District Export Council by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, where he assists local exporters in expanding into global markets.

Bob holds a master’s degree in Applied Information Technology from Towson University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.

Luke brings over 15 years of experience in preconstruction and construction, with a focus on laboratory facilities and projects in sensitive environments. His portfolio includes work on federal research campuses such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as university campuses including Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University. Luke is highly knowledgeable in mechanical and electrical systems and has extensive expertise in the commissioning of laboratory buildings across both academic and research sectors.

Ryan Burnette, Ph.D. is the Senior Vice President at Merrick & Company and leads the Life Sciences practice. He is an international biorisk management practitioner with a strong focus on biosecurity and biodefense, infectious disease facilities, and laboratory capital programs. To date, Dr. Burnette has worked with over 100 universities, biopharmaceutical clients, and governments, practicing extensively in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, India, and the Caribbean on biosafety/biosecurity and laboratory capacity building. Dr. Burnette is the author and editor of one of the authoritative volumes in biosecurity, entitled Biosecurity: Understanding, Assessing and Preventing the Threat. His second book, Applied Biosecurity: Global Health, Defense, and Developing Technologies, was released in June of 2021.

Jake Hughes has over 15 years of experience in commercial real estate and project management with a focus on healthcare and life sciences. He is currently a Managing Director with JLL’s Project and Development Services practice overseeing the Mid-Atlantic Market. With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and System Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University, he blends technical knowledge with business acumen to deliver innovative solutions for Clients. He also serves on the Board for the local chapter of ACE and is a member of the Real Estate Circle of Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Industry Advisory Board for the Blackwood Department of Real Estate at Virginia Tech.

Charu McDermott, AIA, LEED AP is an Associate Vice President at CannonDesign, a

different kind of design firm, where strategy, experience, architecture, engineering and

social good converge to create meaningful impact. Based in the Washington, D.C.

office, Charu is part of the Science and Technology team whose mission is to design

transformational facilities that foster breakthroughs. She holds a Bachelor of Science

and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. With over two decades of

experience, Charu has worked on all phases of project design from programming

through construction administration. Charu loves to dive into complex laboratory

projects with her team and clients. She's not afraid to ask questions and is relentless in

her pursuit to pull together the right resources to arrive at the best design solutions.

Charu knows that well-designed, optimized spaces drive industry-defining innovation in

human health.