TRIANGLE BIOTECH
MEET THE BOARD
Executive Board Director - Oswaldo (Ozzy) Lozoya, PhD MS
Dr. Lozoya is a biomedical engineer specializing in multi-omics analytics, single-cell sequencing, biomarker discovery, and high-dimensional data mining. His research spans metabolism, mitochondrial biology, epigenetics, and regenerative stem cell physiology, focusing on environmental exposures and pathogens. At NIH, he developed a SARS-CoV-2 surveillance technology, now a licensed patent for global pandemic preparedness. He currently works at RTI International, accelerating biological insight extraction from big data. Dr. Lozoya holds engineering degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso and a PhD from the UNC/NCSU joint program. He joined the board in 2023. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, baking, grilling, watching fútbol and TV with his family, and is a native Mexican and North Carolinian since 2006.
Director of Finance - Anne Ballou, PhD
Dr. Anne Ballou works to support sustainable and safe food animal production by improving gastrointestinal health and function in swine and poultry. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky, and her PhD in Functional Genomics from North Carolina State University, where she studied the relationships between gastrointestinal bacteria and host immune function. Anne 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 outreach, and science and agriculture policy.
Director of Corporate Sponsorship - 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 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 various Pharma, Biotech, Medical Device, and service organizations globally, focusing on strategic partnerships and effective talent programs. Leveraging international experience in LATAM and Europe and his language skills, Ali currently leads recruitment for Labcorp’s Global Commercial Organization. He has been involved with TBT since its inception in 2012. Outside of work, Ali enjoys traveling, cooking, camping, hiking, skiing, painting, and supporting non-profit organizations.
Director of Activities - Deena Horowitz
With over a decade of experience in clinical research, Deena has collaborated with academic medical centers, specializing in ethical review processes. Currently, she works in business development, connecting stakeholders with innovative solutions to enhance clinical trials. Deena enjoys networking and learning about diverse aspects of life sciences. A Durham resident since 2016, she enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and dogs, visiting the Durham Farmers' Market, and baking vegan treats. Deena joined the board in 2023.
Director of Marketing - Jake Rodriguez
Jake possesses experience in Pharma Manufacturing, QC, Stability, Data Processing, and Technology Science. Currently in a Scientist role at a leading Vaccine Manufacturing company, he is motivated by his passion for revolutionizing Pharma Manufacturing through innovative technology. Jake joined the board in 2024. 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 strategies and implementing cutting-edge automation, he is committed to advancing both scientific innovation and digital presence optimization.
Director of Corporate Social Responsibility - Branden Caffoe
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Director of Event Operations - Parth Desai
Dr. Parth H Desai, a first-generation college graduate, earned his Ph.D. in Synthetic biology from University of North Carolina at Greensboro after completing his MS in Nanoscience from UNC Greensboro. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University (NCA&T), he is developing high throughput techniques to study the biotic and abiotic surface interactions in collaborations with Oak ridge national lab, stony brooks university, and university of Tennessee. Driven by a desire to promote STEM education in society, he has co-founded Advise 360, that focuses on providing science based education and his exceptional mentorship to others through this service platform.
Beyond his academic pursuits, he finds joy in mentoring and helping others, reading books, spending time with family and networking with like-minded individuals.
Board Alumni
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Director of Governance -
Shauna Martin
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 brings over 12 years of transformative experience in healthcare, specializing in clinical diagnostics and innovative oncology solutions. As a dynamic leader in the field, she excels in bringing cutting-edge products from development to implementation, working closely with healthcare providers across multiple sectors.
Her expertise spans product commercialization, regulatory compliance, and strategic market growth, backed by a proven track record of successful product launches and relationship building in the global healthcare sector.
Based in the Research Triangle Park area, Deepthi maintains an active interest in the region's culinary scene and outdoor spaces, balancing her professional pursuits with a passion for exploring local communities. Deepthi loves meeting new people and connecting with old friends, and is always eager to build meaningful relationships in both professional and social settings."
Deepthi is excited to be back on the TBT board in 2025!
Director of Corporate Compliance - Austin Bell-Hensley
Austin Bell-Hensley, PhD, is a wet lab scientist turned bioinformatician with expertise spanning developmental biology, tissue engineering, and epigenetics. With a strong foundation in biomedical engineering and molecular biology, Austin brings a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving at the bench and actively fosters collaborations across scientific domains.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Austin has served as a consultant to more than a dozen biotech and medical device startups and non-profits in his local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Driven to bridge the gap between science and business, he founded a student consulting organization during his PhD, connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with local founders to tackle real-world challenges.
Having recently relocated from St. Louis, MO, to the Triangle, NC, Austin is excited to support Triangle Biotech Tuesday’s mission of growing and strengthening the regional biotech community. In his free time, he enjoys exploring national parks, participating in recreational sports leagues, and experimenting with plant-forward recipes. Austin earned his B.S. and M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering from Clemson University and his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. He joined the Triangle Biotech Tuesday board in 2025.