Ed Field is President of BioLabs NC. Mr. Field has 20+ years c-level experience in building and

selling numerous early-stage and publicly-traded biotechnology companies. He has been

responsible for managing commercial operations, regulatory, manufacturing, clinical

development, finance and human resources. He was responsible for the buildout and start-up

of BioLabs NC which has become the largest life science innovation lab in the Southeast US with

over 90 early stage company residents and graduates that combined have raised over $2B in

capital. He also serves as the COO of Cereius Inc. co-founder and CEO of CasTag Bioscences and

a board member of Phosphogam Inc. He was previously the Chairman of NCBIO and served on

its Board of Directors. Mr. Field received a Masters in Business Administration from the

University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Administration and a BS from Duke

University.

Patrick Conley is a Senior Scientist within the Science and Technology division of Merrick and Company.  In his role, Patrick is the primary healthcare liaison for Merrick’s healthcare services platform designed to assist healthcare institutions manage the environment care, hazardous materials and waste, hazardous drugs and hazardous biologics, and infection prevention services, as well as to support clinical laboratories and therapeutic productions facilities operate at their best.  
As a dedicated biosafety professional and industrial hygienist, Patrick has focused on developing value driven safety programs and services supporting basic research, translational medicine, patient care, and community education. Patrick has a bachelor’s in microbiology and a master’s degree in industrial hygiene, as well as is a certified Industrial Hygienist, a certified Biosafety Professional, a registered Biosafety Officer, and a certified Infection Preventionist.
Prior to coming to Merrick, Patrick was the Director of IBC Operations at Clinical Biosafety Services, where he led a team of credentialed biosafety and clinical safety professionals to provide Institutional Biosafety Committee and Biosafety services to healthcare providers, nurses, and clinical research personnel conducting human gene transfer research at clinics and hospital facilities across the continental United States and beyond.  
Patrick’s work history includes 7 years of bench research working on sexually transmitted diseases, invasive diseases, biotoxins, and select agents and toxins and 13 years as a Director within the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Office of Safety and Business Continuity. Through his director’s role, Patrick managed UT Southwestern’s Institutional Biosafety Committee, Chemical Safety Committee, select agent and toxin program, biosafety program, chemical safety program, industrial hygiene program, hazardous waste program, and environmental compliance program. Additionally, through his role as the hazmat section chief of the UT Southwestern Environment of Care Committee, Patrick managed all hazardous materials and waste programs within the UT Southwestern ambulatory clinics and hospital facilities.
Patrick is a passionate safety educator, training developer, and community speaker who has worked with the numerous professional organizations, S.T.A.R.S Program, UT Southwestern, and the Dallas Independent School District to encourage high school students to enter the fields of science and medicine. He and his family enjoy traveling, hiking, and the outdoor life, especially when it involves mountains, snow, and wildlife.

Jennifer is a Principal and Project Manager at EwingCole with more than 20 years of experience in the architecture industry. She is a recognized design leader specializing in laboratory and manufacturing facilities, known for her commitment to sustainable design and her ability to deliver high-performance environments that advance science while supporting environmental stewardship.

Jennifer has guided teams through the design and execution of complex, mission-driven projects for major life sciences clients. Signature achievements include leading the design of a 210,000-square-foot Net Zero Energy office building for United Therapeutics in Silver Spring, Maryland, recognized as the largest commercial net zero building in the United States, and a pioneering facility to support xenotransplantation research.

Jennifer is also an active member of Women@EC, a collaborative network dedicated to mentoring, inspiring growth, and advancing cultural change within the profession. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Drexel University.

Tim Skender is a native of the Triangle region and has lived in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Communication Studies. In 2013, he earned his Master's in Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. With over 15 years of experience in real estate finance and investment, Tim has spent the last decade focusing on the acquisition, management, development, and redevelopment of office and life science properties for multiple institutional investors. Recently, he spent three years establishing and leading the Triangle operations for one of the leading life science real estate owners and operators in the country. Tim has worked on over $5 billion in executed acquisitions/dispositions and 2.5 million square feet of executed leases.

Jon’s education and experience are an irreplaceable asset to our clients. His ability to present and complete projects on time and within budget is second to none. Along with Jon’s’ engineering degree, MBA from Notre Dame, GC License, Real Estate Broker license, and twenty years’ experience, Jon is a fantastic communicator.

Laura joined NCBiotech’s Life Science Economic Development team in 2017. In her current role as Vice President of LSED, she partners closely with North Carolina’s economic development community, universities, community colleges, and local industry to advance workforce development efforts and support life science companies seeking to expand or relocate to NC. Laura’s previous experience with faculty-entrepreneurs at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy provides her with an added appreciation of the breadth of North Carolina’s life science ecosystem. Laura earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Furman University in Greenville, SC, and completed her Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill.

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.

Professional Experience

Kati has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting with a focus on assurance, auditing and tax. She has worked for international, regional and local firms providing auditing and tax services.

Industry Expertise

Kati has provided audit, accounting, and tax services to a wide variety of industries, including, but not limited to, nonprofit, government, employee benefit plans, and construction contractors. Her experience includes compliance audits under the Uniform Guidance.

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant, State of North Carolina

Professional Activities

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Member

North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, Member

Association Executives of North Carolina, Member

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Temple University Fox School of Business and Management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania