CRB Fellows are dedicated to inspiring our future leaders, solving complex challenges, and advancing technical excellence within our company and in the industries we serve.

 

The Fellowship Program celebrates and enables the technical preeminence of our people. It is a path for our most distinguished professionals to advance their respective area of expertise.

The Fellowship track is built on four pillars:

Global Expertise | Mentoring | Thought Leadership & Industry Impact | Innovation

Senior Fellows and Fellows are instrumental in assessing industry trends and informing CRB’s strategy for continuous preeminence while identifying and managing risks during project execution and delivery on a global scale. Additionally, they help our clients navigate the unique challenges of highly technical and novel projects. As they pursue technical expertise, Senior Fellows and Fellows lead the development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies and innovations and champion growth programs within the company. These individuals are key mentors for fellow CRBers, fostering continuous learning and lighting the career path for others.

Senior Fellows

Allan Bream

Senior Fellow - Biopharmaceutical Process

Allan has more than 35 years of engineering and manufacturing experience including 30 years in the biotechnology industry. His expertise includes large-scale bacterial fermentation, mammalian cell culture, vaccines, downstream processing, and protein purification and immobilization. He’s heavily involved in industry organizations and frequently contributes thought leadership to publications like BioProcess International, Medicine Maker, Pharma’s Almanac, and more.

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Pablo Coronel, PhD

Senior Fellow - Food Process & Food Safety

Pablo holds a doctorate in food science and has more than 20 years of experience as a process engineer and food scientist. His expertise includes process and product development, novel technologies, hygienic manufacturing, food safety, and aseptic processing and packaging. Pablo has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and patents, and he is the co-editor of the third edition of “Handbook of Aseptic Processing and Packaging.” Pablo acts as a Thermal Process Authority for LACF processes and is adjunct faculty at the department of Food Nutrition and Bioprocesses of NC State University.

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Dave DiProspero

Senior Fellow - Pharmaceutical Process

Dave has 30 years of pharmaceutical drug product experience in process technology, equipment, facility design and engineering. He is an oral solid dose (OSD) form and powder manufacturing operations subject matter expert. Dave is also a long-time member and leader in the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), having served as chair of numerous committees and Co-Leader/Contributing Author for the ISPE OSD Baseline Guide Volume 3 and ISPE OSD Continuous Manufacturing Good Practice Guide publications. He is the past chair and current steering committee advisor to the Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) committee and FOYA Banquet Host.

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Bill Donahue

Senior Fellow - BioProcess Design

With more than 38 years of process engineering and management experience, Bill has an extensive background in biotech industry work, particularly with therapeutic protein and plasma fractionation projects and medical device development. Additionally, he is an expert on hazardous materials who has led knowledge sharing and training both internally and externally. Bill has been instrumental in the development of CRB’s process tools, and he co-chaired the Expert Teams initiative for more than five years. He has spoken at industry events about the code implications of fumigation for biopharma facilities.

David Estape

Senior Fellow - Biopharmaceutical Process

David holds a doctorate in chemical engineering and has more than 25 years of experience in the biotechnology, vaccine and blood plasma pharmaceutical industries. He is an active participant in BioPhorum and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering. David is also a recognized biotechnology thought leader who frequently speaks at industry conferences and contributes to industry publications.

Ken Jacobson, PhD

Senior Fellow - BioProcess Design

Ken has more than 40 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience and a doctorate in chemical and biochemical engineering. His expertise spans exploratory process development through the operation and optimization of commercial manufacturing facilities and pilot plants, particularly for cell culture processes, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. Ken is a key contributor to current industry standards and best practices, and he served on the steering committee and as co-author of the process equipment chapter for the International Society for Professional Engineering/Food and Drug Administration Baseline Guide for Design of Biopharmaceutical Facilities.

Bill Jarvis

Senior Fellow - Chemical & Pharmaceutical Process

Bill has more than 38 years of broad-based chemical engineering experience. His involvement ranges from exploratory process development, through lab and pilot plant scale-up, process design, process start-up and process optimization. He specializes in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production facility design,  oral solid dose formulation (OSD) processes, plasma-derived therapy products, and oligonucleotide and peptide facility design. Bill helped develop the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering’s Community of Practice (CoP) concept, serving as a past chair of the API CoP, and contributing to the containment and OSD CoPs.

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Christa Myers

Senior Fellow - Aseptic and Sterile Products

With more than 25 years of experience in biopharma, Christa is the Aseptic and Sterile Products Market Leader for CRB. She has and continues to lead multiple directives to support excellence in the design, execution, and delivery of projects. Her leadership drives innovation responsibly into projects and operations. She is an author of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Sterile Products Processing Baseline Guide and is the Co-Chair of the ISPE Aseptic Conference.

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Marc Pelletier

Senior Fellow - Bioprocess Design & Risk Assessment

With more than 40 years of biotechnology experience and a doctorate in cell biology, Marc is considered an industry leader in the area of fermentation and cell culture-based bioprocesses including upstream and downstream unit operations. He is an author of the past and current iterations of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering Baseline Guideline on Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Facilities and an auditor and editor of the 2022 Biophorum Process Closure Playbook. Marc was also the winner of the Crane 2012 Partnership Award for his lifetime contribution to the biopharma industry, and he is the 2022 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Legacy Award winner for his 25-year contribution to the ASME BPE standard.

 

 

Bill Rattray

Senior Fellow - Biopharmaceutical HVAC

Bill has more than 45 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. His expertise is focused on critical CGMP mechanical and HVAC systems design, with a solid working knowledge of biotech process systems and control system design. He has specific experience in gene therapy and in small- and large-scale cell culture facilities.

 

John Rubero

Senior Fellow - Purification Bioprocess

With more than 30 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience, John’s prior experience and current expertise include research and development, clinical manufacturing, Current Good Manufacturing Practice compliance, biopharmaceutical process scale-up, bioprocess engineering and biopharmaceutical plant design, with special emphasis in liquid chromatography (both high-performance liquid chromatography and low-pressure liquid chromatography). John serves on the Advisory Board for the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at Washington State University.

Jack Striebel

Senior Fellow - BioProcess Design

Jack has more than 40 years of experience in the biotechnology industry, including more than 24 years in R&D and manufacturing prior to joining CRB. His expertise includes industrial bio and pharma bioprocess manufacturing facilities, as well as process scale-up. Jack has been involved with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE). Two of the facilities where he was the lead process designer for CRB have won ISPE Facility of the Year awards.

Mark von Stwolinski

Senior Fellow - Process Architecture

With more than 30 years of process architecture experience, Mark is an expert in the design of biopharmaceutical, bulk chemical active pharmaceutical ingredients and fill-finish production, clinical and, pilot plants. He’s served on the guidance document executive committee for the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) and contributed to multiple guides, including the Biopharmaceutical Facility Guide Volume 6 and the Biopharmaceutical Process and Manufacturing guide. Mark is a frequent speaker at ISPE events across the world.

Fellows

Steve Attig

Fellow - BioProcess Design

Steve has more than 25 years of experience in process engineering, project management and operations with a focus on blood plasma fractionation and biotechnology applications. His broad and deep experience allows for rapid execution of pre-feasibility studies for startups, and mid- and large-scale pharma clients looking for early cost and facility design implications. Steve has been involved with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Biophorum Group and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, including presenting at conferences for these organizations.

Yvonne Duckworth

Fellow - Digital Technology

Yvonne has more than 31 years of automation and control system design experience in the bio and pharma industries, with expertise in oligonucleotide and advanced therapy medicinal product projects. Yvonne is a digitalization subject matter expert, and she is also a key contributor to the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering’s (ISPE) Pharma 4.0™ initiative, serving as a chairperson on the ISPE Pharma 4.0™ Leadership Team, the co-chair of the ISPE Pharma 4.0™ Holistic Digital Enablement Working Group, and a chapter lead author of the forthcoming ISPE Pharma 4.0™ Baseline Guide. Additionally, she has been involved with the ISPE Workforce of the Future for Robotics and Automation. Yvonne is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, and she’s served on multiple conference committees.

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James Golden

Fellow - Chemical Process

With more than 20 years of experience, James is a process engineer with broad experience in hazardous chemical processing and handling; active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) processes; oral solid dose processing including hazardous containment design; process utility systems design such as purified water, clean steam, and clean compressed gasses; and, most recently, oligonucleotide facility design. James has extensive experience with code implications to process and facility design in regard to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Code Council (ICC), and other regulatory and safety compliance. James has also been a member of the API Community of Practice Committee for the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE).

Melissa Holshouser

Fellow - Facility Planning & Process Architecture

Melissa has more than 30 years of experience in the planning and design of research, development, and FDA-licensed biotech and pharmaceutical production facilities and major renovation projects. She has particular expertise in cell and gene therapy process as well as vaccines.

Larry James

Fellow - BioProcess Design

Larry has more than 20 years of experience in the biopharma industry. His area of expertise is the scale-up of processes for manufacturing monoclonal antibody proteins, plasma-derived therapeutics, peptides, vaccines and synthetic chemicals.

Tony Moses

Fellow - Food Product Innovation

With nearly 15 years of industry experience and a doctorate in chemical engineering, Tony’s expertise lies in leading new product commercialization, process scale-up, and capital project evaluation and installation for food and beverage projects. Some of his notable past accomplishments include multiple product launches, four peer-reviewed articles and one patent. Tony serves as a director on Aksarben Institute of Food Technologists Board in Omaha, Nebraska, and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

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Mark Paskanik

Fellow - Laboratory

Mark is a lab planner and licensed architect with more than 20 years of experience in visioning, programming, planning and designing research facilities worldwide. He has planned more than 20 million square feet of laboratory space, ranging from wet lab to dry lab, with specialties in Biosafety Levels, Good Manufacturing Practice and vivaria. As an advisory board member, author, and frequent speaker, Mark publishes articles on laboratory design and has been a peer reviewer for the National Institutes of Health. He is a founding board member for the NC-Triangle Chapter of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL).

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Steve Pflantz

Fellow - Process Automation & Safety

Steve has more than 30 years of experience with electrical and instrumentation and controls system design for biopharma facilities. He has also developed a high level of expertise with electrical hazardous areas. He has served as a chair of the Automation Federation and as the president of the International Society of Automation in 2017. Steve is also active in the industry as a speaker and author.

Aaron Saggars

Fellow - Mechanical Engineering

Aaron has nearly 30 years of experience in the life sciences industry with a particular focus on laboratory projects. He is licensed as a professional engineer, and he is also a LEED Accredited Professional. Aaron has been actively involved with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering.

Riju Saini

Fellow - Simulation, Modeling, CFD

With a doctorate in chemical engineering and more than 35 years of broad industry experience, Riju is an expert consultant who develops complex models using process simulation, modeling, and computational fluid dynamics to analyze and optimize processes and systems for biopharma projects. His particular focus is on finding opportunities to drive growth, reduce cost, improve operations, and create solutions from complex business and technical problems. Riju has been actively involved in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering.

Jochen Schmidt-Nawrot

Fellow - Process Utilities

Jochen has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and is a recognized thought leader in ultrapure water systems. As process utilities lead, he focuses on the conception, process selection and dimensioning of complete water systems for the generation, storage and distribution of purified water, water for injection (WFI) and pure steam. Jochen is an active member of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) and its regional Community of Practice for “Water and Steam” in the DACH-region. He is co-author of the ISPE Handbook, “WFI generation without distillation,” and was a reviewer of the ISPE Baseline Guide Vol 4: “Water and Steam Systems.”

Melinda Smith

Fellow - Aseptic and Sterile Products

Melinda has more than 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with expertise in manufacturing operations, and aseptic filling and packaging line design. She is also considered a subject matter expert in regulatory and Current Good Manufacturing Practice compliance for facility layouts and process flows. Melinda has been actively involved with the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering and the Parenteral Drug Association.

Todd Vaughn

Fellow - Aseptic and Sterile Products

With more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Todd’s expertise spans aseptic processes, containment of highly hazardous compounds, and regulatory compliance. He has been actively involved in the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering and the Parenteral Drug Association. Todd is also a presenter at industry events like Interphex and has been published in Medicine Maker and Pharma’s Almanac.

Peter Walters

Fellow - Advanced Therapies

With more than 18 years of experience, Peter is a subject matter expert on facility design for advanced therapy medicinal products manufacturing facilities. He specializes in designing spaces, processes and equipment for multi-step manufacturing of pharmaceutical drug products. He was a co-author on a New Drug Application, is a co-inventor for a patented novel formulation process, and has participated in Food and Drug Administration facility inspections. Peter was recognized by Consulting-Specifying Engineer with the 40 Under 40 award in 2018.

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Jeff Wegner

Fellow - Energy + Sustainability

Jeff has more than 15 years of experience with mechanical design and project management for life science and advanced technology facilities. In addition to his engineering expertise, Jeff is a subject matter expert on energy and sustainability. He is a registered Professional Engineer, Certified Energy Manager and a LEED Accredited Professional. Jeff has also been actively involved in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, the Association of Energy Engineers, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories.  He also serves as a mentor for ACE Mentor Program of America Inc, is a member of the Industry Advisory Board for the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo HVAC&R program, and is a Technical Assistance advisor for several Building Electrification Coalitions throughout the state of California.

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Gerry Williams

Fellow - Critical Environment HVAC

With more than 25 years of experience, Gerry is an expert in mechanical design for biopharma and industrial projects. Gerry holds US and Canadian Patents for his Apparatus for Providing Coolant Fluid, awarded in 2016. Honors include the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers’ St. Louis Young Engineer of the Year Award and Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s National Top 40 Under 40 Engineer of the Year Award. He also serves as an adjunct professor for mechanical engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology.