Center Leadership
John Bischof, Ph.D.
ATP-Bio Center Director
bischof@umn.edu
Mehmet Toner, Ph.D.
ATP-Bio Center Deputy Director
mehmet_toner@hms.harvard.edu
Alyssa A. Burger, M.Ed.
ATP-Bio Administrative Director
atp-bio-ad@umn.edu
Supports Director and Deputy Director; leads operations, administration, finance, human resources, reporting, events, communications.
Pillar & Component Leadership
Rhonda Franklin, Ph.D.
Integration Director
rfrank01@umn.edu
Emily Goff, Ph.D.
External Evaluator
emily@goffgroupllc.com
Korkut Uygun, Ph.D.
Convergent Research Lead, Thrust Area 1 Co-Lead
KUYGUN@mgh.harvard.edu
Catherine Heremans, Ph.D.
Convergent Research Program Manager (CR)
atp-bio-rschpgm@umn.edu
Supports Convergent Research program, leads webinar series, manages ATEP program, enables faculty and trainee engagement.
Keisha Varma, Ph.D.
Diversity and Culture of Inclusion Lead
keisha@umn.edu
Seth Thompson, Ph.D.
Education Workforce Development Director and Program Manager
atp-bio-pgmgr@umn.edu
Leads EWD program, REU program, manages EWD portfolio, enables faculty and trainee engagement, liaison for Scholar Leadership Council.
Gina Ristani, M.A.
Diversity & Culture of Inclusion Program Manager
atp-bio-dcimgr@umn.edu
Supports DCI program, manages DCI portfolio and projects, enables faculty and trainee engagement.
Dan Chen, Ph.D., EMBA
Interim Strategic Partners & Innovation (SPI) Director
atp-bio-spi@umn.edu
Leads Innovation Ecosystem pillar, membership program, commercialization/tech transfer initiatives, supports workforce development.
Carla Pavone, Ph.D.
Innovation Ecosystems Co-Lead
pavo0003@umn.edu
Susan Wolf, JD
Ethics and Public Policy Lead
swolf@umn.edu
Timothy Pruett, MD
Ethics and Public Policy Co-Lead
tlpruett@umn.edu
Administrative Staff
Elica (Eli “ellie”) Gardner
ATP-Bio Communications Manager
atp-bio-aa@umn.edu
Supports Administrative Director; leads communications and engagement initiatives; promotional materials; and manages events.
Carolyn O’Grady
Interim ATP-Bio Financial Manager
atp-bio-finmgr@umn.edu
Supports Administrative Director; manages budget, contracts, and financial reporting.
Megan Scott
ATP-Bio Administrative Assistant
atp-bio-projmgr@umn.edu
Institutional Partner Staff
Guadalupe Ruiz
University of California, Riverside
Director of Transfer Student Initiatives & Professional Development (Marlan & Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering)
gruiz@engr.ucr.edu
Johaynah Al-Riffi
ATP-Bio Program Specialist II
Texas A&M
jalriffi@tamu.edu