Meet the Board
​President - Oswaldo (Ozzy) Lozoya, PhD MS
​Dr. Oswaldo (Ozzy) Lozoya is a distinguished biomedical engineer with expertise in multi-omics analytics, single-cell sequencing, and biomarker discovery. His extensive scientific publications cover diverse fields, including metabolism, epigenetics, and regenerative stem cell physiology. While at NIH, he developed a SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 surveillance technology, now one of eleven NIH patents licensed for global pandemic preparedness. Currently, Dr. Lozoya is a Scientific Computing Principal Investigator at RTI International, where he applies new analytical paradigms to extract biological insights from "Big Data" for public health. Outside of his professional life, Ozzy, a native Mexican and adopted North Carolinian, enjoys fishing, baking, grilling, and watching fútbol and other shows with his family.
Vice President & Director of Corporate Partnerships - Rabina Mainali, PhD
​Dr. Rabina Mainali, a first-generation college graduate, earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Physiology from Wake Forest University after completing her B.S. in Biochemistry from Salem College. As a STrIDE Postdoctoral Fellow at NIEHS, she investigates cellular metabolism, specifically focusing on deamidated NAD synthesis in the liver. Driven by a desire to contribute to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, she aims to apply her expertise for greater societal impact. Dr. Mainali joined the board in 2024
Beyond her academic pursuits, she finds joy in cooking, paddling, and sunset walks.
Director of Finance - Anne Ballou, PhD
Anne Ballou works to support animal health and wellness by improving gastrointestinal health and function in pets, swine and poultry. She overlays nutrition, genetics, and immunology in her research to understand and promote microbiomes that contribute to host health and function. In addition to her research efforts, Dr. Ballou works to be a part of the cross-disciplinary cooperation that goes into developing and implementing effective science outreach and public policy.
Director of Marketing - Jake Rodriguez
Graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, Jake possesses experience in BioTech Manufacturing, QC, Stability, Data Processing, and Technology Science. He is motivated by his passion for revolutionizing BioTech Manufacturing through innovative technology.
Beyond his scientific pursuits, Jake leverages his passion for digital tech to guide brands and organizations through the digital world. With a knack for crafting tailored marketing strategies and implementing cutting-edge automation, he is committed to advancing both scientific innovation and digital presence optimization.
​Jake also enjoys leadership and public speaking engagements.
Director of Activities - Madeline Hemmingsen
​Dr. Madeline Hemmingsen earned her Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics from Duke University, where she developed and tested therapeutic strategies for rare metabolic disorders using custom genetically-engineered mouse models. She later transitioned into a consulting role providing support in project scheduling, controls, and risk management. She now works in construction management at CRB, supporting greenfield pharmaceutical manufacturing projects.
Outside of her professional life, Madeline enjoys competitive archery, reading, and working on DIY projects.
Director of Strategic Relations - Ali Ghiassi
Ali holds degrees in International Business, Economics, and Spanish from UNC-Greensboro and has over a decade of experience in the life sciences industry. He has supported global Pharma, Biotech, Medical Device, and Services organizations, with a focus on building strategic partnerships and effective talent and engagement programs across the globe. Leveraging international experience across the Americas and Europe, Ali currently leads Talent Acquisition for Precision Medicine Group and has been involved with TBT since 2012. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, cooking, camping, hiking, skiing, painting, and volunteering with a few amazing non-profits.
​Secretary and Director of Board Governance - Shauna Martin, Ed.D
Dr. Shauna Martin works in organizational development in the CRO space. She has worked for three industry-leading, global CROs supporting clinical operations staff in career development and job performance. Currently, Dr. Martin is a Senior Learning & Performance Specialist at Rho, Inc located in Durham, NC. She is also the Founder and Chief Learning Consultant for her life sciences consulting firm, Synergy Learning Solutions.
She received her Ed.D in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University. She also received her M.A. in English from East Carolina University and her BA in English from the University of Virginia. Outside of work, Dr. Martin enjoys traveling and spending time with her two daughters.
​Director of Community Outreach - Deepthi Rajagopalan
Deepthi offers over 12 years of transformative experience in healthcare, specializing in clinical diagnostics and oncology solutions. She's a dynamic leader who excels at taking cutting-edge products from development to implementation, collaborating with healthcare providers globally. Her expertise covers product commercialization, regulatory compliance, and strategic market growth, with a strong history of successful launches. Based in the Research Triangle Park area, Deepthi enjoys the local culinary scene and outdoor spaces, and loves meeting new people and connecting with friends. Deepthi is excited to return to the TBT board in 2025.
Director of Compliance - Austin Bell-Hensley, Ph.D
Austin Bell-Hensley is a translational cell and gene therapy scientist who brings together experimental and computational perspectives to support innovation in biotechnology. He advises early-stage biotech and medical device startups and serves on the Triangle Biotech Tuesday Board to foster collaboration, mentorship, and growth within the Triangle’s biotech community
Director of Corporate Social Responsibility - Branden Caffoe
​With a strong background in specialty logistics, Branden has spent the past five years working in the biopharma space. Currently serving as a Business Development Manager in cold-chain logistics, he thrives on problem-solving and strategic thinking to tackle challenges and create impactful solutions.
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Branden joined Triangle Biotech Tuesday in 2025 and is excited about contributing to the local life science community and building something meaningful. In his free time, he enjoys reading, staying active, and exploring the outdoors.
Director of Event Operations - Grant Scull
Dr. Grant Scull is a biomedical scientist with eight years of expertise in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and microbiology. He holds a BS from Rutgers and a PhD from the joint program at UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State. Grant’s career spans early-stage research through regulated product development, complemented by a strong background in scientific outreach and leadership.
A Triangle resident for nine years, Grant is an avid runner and swimmer. When he's not in the lab, he enjoys surfing, skiing, gaming, and fantasy novels.